The classic Turlough O'Carolan tune "Si Bheag, Si Mhor" performed by a marvelous mash-up of musicians at the 2011 Florida Renaissance Festival.
This performance was filmed during a special morning jam session for the fun of the musicians just as the festival was opening for the day. It includes various minstrels from most of the musical groups performing at the Festival playing a variety of instruments, including historical reproduction pieces.
Featuring:
Jay and Abby Michaels (from The Harper and The Minstrel) with Jay on harp and Abby on flute.
kathleen Finnegan-Blackshear and Bret Blackshear with kathleen on harp and Bret on cello.
Michael Gartner (aka "Micha" from Wolgemut) playing a reproduction of a medieval vielle.
Jack Stamates (from Celtic Mayhem) on violin.
Mark and Ehrich Gauvin (from Iron Hill Vagabonds), with Mark on guitar and Ehrich playing violin.
Bobby Rodriguez (from Bobby Rodriguez Productions) playing bass.
Owain Phyfe (from New World Renaissance Band) playing the Chitarra Battente (a type of Italian renaissance guitar)
Tyler Morrison (from Revelers' Round Dance Company) playing the large recorder.
Lady Merilee Effingham (Courtesan) - ?? I'm not sure what instrument she is playing, I think it is a lute variant but I need to double-check with her.
=======================================
The Song "Si Bheg, Si Mhor" (roughly translated as "Little Fairy, Big Fairy") is a beloved Irish tune penned by Turlough O'Carolan (born 1670, died 1738), "Si" is a fairy, "Beag" means small and "mor" means big (the "h"s have crept in over the years because English keyboards can't put a dot over the initial letters as a grammatical device). It is said to be about a mythical battle between the fairy inhabitants of two neighboring hills in County Leitrim, Ireland, one a big fairy hill and the other a little fairy hill. Folklore surrounding the hills tells of ancient warriors whose mortal bodies lie entombed within the hills. From time to time these spirits again revive their ancient quarrel.
===================================
The tune "Si Bheag and Si Mhor" is said to be a revision of an older ditty called "The Bonny Cuckoo" or "the Cuckoo". An associated poem "Fairy Hills" (which I have not yet found a definitive source for) tells the story as follows:
1. Long long ago in this ancient land
A battle took place where two hills now stand
And on the plain there lay the slain
For neither the battle was won.
2. So the bard did sing of these fairy hills
Where bloom the white flowers and daffodils
One big one small Si Bheag Si Mhor
And never the battle is won.
3. Beneath these hills great heroes lie
Of the Red Branch Knights and their ancient foe
In still of night the immortals fight
But never the battle is won.
4. And so the harper was told these fairy tales
Of these fairy hills of the ancient Gaels
One big one small Si Bheag Si Mhor
And never the battle is won.
5. Twas after the battle the prophet foretold
No rest would be found for these warriors bold
Till they unite and fight one common foe
And then would the battle be won.
6. So then the harper wrote of these fairy hills
Where bloom the white flowers and daffodils
One big one small Si Bheag Si Mhor
And never the battle is won.
3 окт 2024
