An tSidh Bheag Agus An tSidh Mhor,Shee Beg & Shee Mor,Sheebag Sheemore,Sheebeg & Shemore,Sheebeg And Sheemore,Sheebeg Sheemore,Si Beag Is Si Mhor,Si Beag Si Mhor,Si Beag Si Mor,Si Beag, Si Mor,Si Beg Si Mohr,Si Begh Si Mohr,Si Bheag Si Mhor,Sí Bheag Sí Mór,Si Bheag, Si Mhor,Si Bheag's Si Mhor,Sídh Beag Agus Sídh Mór,Sidhe Beag Agus Sidhe Mor,Sidhe Beag, Sidhe Mor,Sighe Beag Sighe Mor,The Small Fairy Fort And The Big Fairy Fort,The Small Fairy, The Big Fairy
Key
D Major
Type
Air
Level
BIA
Instrument
Irish Flute
About this tune
Tradition holds this as the first tune Turlough O'Carolan (1670–1738) composed. As a young harper he found an early patron in Squire George Reynolds of Lough Scur, County Leitrim, who is said to have suggested he might make a better hand of composing than of playing — and the piece that answered took its subject from two neighbouring fairy hills near the estate, Sí Bheag and Sí Mhór, the little and great fairy mounds, said to be ancient burial sites. For the melody O'Carolan drew on the older air "The Bonny Cuckoo." That it was truly his first is more tradition than documented record, but it has long been among the most familiar pieces in the Carolan repertoire.
Preview — full lesson available to subscribers
Lesson segments
2:36
3:01
8:15
8:48
1:30
9:43
11:17
Heard on these recordings
Allan Alexander And Michael CarlitoCastles In The Sky (Celtic Music)
Andrea FreemanFair Wind
Antoni O'BreskeyIrish Meet The Blues
Aryeh FrankfurterO'Carolan's Dream
Banish MisfortuneThe Journey Home
Barry McgandyGallain2
Blarney PilgrimsOlde Day Again
Brendan PowerNew Irish Harmonica
BùrachThe Weird Set
Butch Baldassari & John MockMusic of O'Carolan - Ireland's Bard