The Irish Washerwoman

Notes

“The Irish Washerwoman” is perhaps the most universally recognized jig in the world. While its title and modern associations are firmly Irish, the melody actually traces back to 17th-century England, where it was known as “The Country Courtship.” By the late 1700s, it had become a cornerstone of Irish traditional music and eventually traveled to North America, becoming a standard for New England contra dances, square dances, and even cartoon soundtracks.

As a 6/8 jig, it is the gold standard for the “rolling” rhythm that defines the genre. It is energetic, playful, and has a repetitive structure that makes it an excellent “teaching tune” for those learning the jig feel.

• The Feel: It is incredibly bright and bouncy. Because it is so well-known, it is often played at a very brisk tempo, giving it a whirlwind energy that is perfect for high-speed dancing.

• The Key: It is almost always played in G Major. On the fiddle, the melody sits perfectly across the strings, allowing for a lot of “droning” on the open strings while playing the melody notes.

• The Melody: The tune is famous for its “scurrying” A-part, which moves in a circular, rolling motion. The B-part provides a nice melodic lift, utilizing the higher register to create a sense of expansion before returning to the familiar “spin” of the A-part.