An Rógaire Dubh

Or (unfortunately) The Black Rogue. Jig found in O'Neill and probably quite ancient. Who is more "blackhearted" than a pirate, hostis humani generis? Well, quite a lot of people, actually, including their contemporaries the slave traders. But I have chosen to illustrate this with some of our local pirates from the Chesapeake.

[@glennysmoran9550]

So pretty, thank you Richard for sharing this lovely tune. A definite to learn. I don't think of pirates when I listen.

[@richardcarver6849]

Thanks, Glennys. It isn't really very piratical (see Aidan's comment). I think the A part is particularly fine. I have played an open D with the C# from the melody, which gives a rather pleasing passing dissonance.

[@crisscross6003]

A wonderrful arrangement and a fine sounding mandolin, masterfully played, Richard!

[@richardcarver6849]

Thank you, Christian.

[@TheIrishMandolin]

Hi Richard. A real session classic. Nearly always found in the company of Na Ceannabháin Bhána. I've always found the overly literal - and unfortunately very common - translation to which you allude quite problematic; and it kind of misses the point. The title really means - in this context - the black-*haired* rogue. (Just as Rua in a title generally means red-haired and Fionn or Buí generally mean blonde-haired.) It's a well-known song as well as a jig (see, for example, Dervish's version; Cathy makes a great fist of it). Less piratical than scoundrelish. The lyrics of the first verse, translated roughly from the Irish, go "The black-haired rogue has taken my socks and my shoes (x3)/And my pocket handkerchief, a year ago."

[@richardcarver6849]

I didn't know the lyrics, Aidan, which certainly casts it in a different light. I do recall you commenting that black referred to hair colour (hence my black-haired pirate).

[@lawrencemolloy9990]

I seem to remember you singing this one Aidan ?
Lovely arrangement Richard , beautifully played

[@richardcarver6849]

Thank you, Lawrence.

[@TheIrishMandolin]

@@lawrencemolloy9990 Hi Lawrence. I don't think I ever *sung* it - my Irish is just about up to reading the lyrics but I wouldn't have enough Irish to carry off singing it. (I could lilt it, mind you!) But it would have been one of my go-to tunes in a session. One of those jigs that *everybody* knows but somehow, despite the fact that it gets played a lot, it hasn't become hackneyed.

[@lawrencemolloy9990]

@@TheIrishMandolin I think I’m starting to dote Aidan , for some reason I had the song The rich man and the poor man in my head , maybe the RogerRum chorus threw me