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Notes
“The Lilting Banshee” (also frequently called The Miller of Glanmire) is a classic Irish jig that perfectly captures the “modal” sound of traditional music. While the name might suggest something terrifying, the “lilting” refers to the tune’s song-like, rhythmic quality. In folklore, the banshee was often heard “keening” or singing, and this melody mimics that haunting, vocal flow.
As a 6/8 jig, it is a favorite in sessions because it is accessible to learn but offers deep room for expression and ornamentation.
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The Feel: It has an “airy” and slightly mysterious character. It isn’t a driving, “muscular” jig; rather, it has a lightness and a gentle, rolling pulse that makes it feel very ancient.
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The Key: Usually played in A Dorian. This is essentially an A-minor scale but with a “bright” sixth note ($F\#$), which gives the tune its signature “Celtic” shimmer—haunting, but never truly dark.
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The Melody: The A-part is grounded and rhythmic, focusing on the lower register of the fiddle. The B-part opens up significantly, with the melody leaping into the higher register of the A and E strings, creating a sense of “keening” or calling out before resolving back to the root.