Talk:Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór

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Si Beagh Si Mor and The Bonny Cuckoo

What does it mean to say a tune was written to the tune of another song? Is the implication that O'Carolan didn't write the tune? If so, say so. I listened to both and there's a resemblance but they're not the same. Si Beagh Si Mor is freer and more joyful in my view. Cloudtrapezer (talk) 12:49, 2 December 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I wish you had not disappeared on us. As we are all aware, Turlough O'Carolan lived from 1670-1738. But the song The Bonny Cuckoo has a date of 1793 and the singer being Henry Joy. It may be safe to say that O'Carolan adapted an existing tune but unless we know whose tune he modified for certain it should revert to being created by O'Carolan. Will somebody who knows more please correct this? hhhobbit (talk) 07:38, 29 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]

A Collection of the Most Celebrated Irish Music by J&W Neal contains the Bonny Cuckoo and was published in 1724, so we know the tune was at least contemporary with Ó Carolan under that name. I can’t find anything about the initial publication date of Sí Beag, Sí Mór, so it’s hard to settle it.

As it stands, neither reference in the current article even so much as suggest that the Bonny Cuckoo is older. 212.129.72.64 (talk) 09:02, 31 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]