GEM OF IRELAND. AKA and see "Post-Oak Grove," "Sweet Ellen." Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard. AABB. See also the Cape Breton/Prince Edward Island tune "Homeward Bound," which is derivative of this tune. Cole (1001 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 40. Ryan's Mammoth Collection, c. 1880.
HOMEWARD BOUND. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Prince Edward Island. D Major. Standard. AA'BB'. Ken Perlman, who researched fiddling styles on Prince Edward Island, notes that this reel is frequently heard played in the eastern half of the Island (where it was known as one of the 'good old tunes') but believes that it was originally from the Canadian Maritime Provinces, though it bears a strong resemblance to the tune "Gem of Ireland" in Cole's 1001. On PEI it is often heard in a medley with "Jerome's Farewell to Gibralter." Paul Cranford (1994) states that "Homward Bound" is derivative of the "Gem" tune which he identifies as a 19th-century Irish reel. It has been recorded by Cape Breton fiddler Dan R. MacDonald (78 RPM), and more recently by Cape Breton harmonica player Tommy Basker. Sources for notated versions: Angus McPhee (Mt. Stewart, P.E.I.) [Ken Perlman/Fiddler Magazine]; Peter Chaison Jr. (B. 1942, Bear River, North-East Kings County, PEI) [Perlman]; fiddler Brenda Stubbert (b. 1959, Point Aconi, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) [Cranford]; Rory MacDonald (Cape Breton) [MacQuarrie]. Cranford (Brenda Stubbert's), 1994; No. 48, pg. 17. Fiddler Magazine, Spring 1995; pg. 11. MacQuarrie (Cape Breton Collection), 1940. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 69. Atlantica Music 02 77657 50222 26, Brenda Stubbert - "Atlantic Fiddles" (1994). Stubbert Music 1, Brenda Stubbert - "House Sessions" (1992). Marimac Recordings, "The Old Time Fiddlers of Prince Edward Island" (1993). Rounder CD7014, Leonard McDonald - "Fiddlers of Western Prince Edward Island" (1997).
JEROME'S FAREWELL TO GIBRALTAR. AKA - "Jerome's Farewell to Georges Banks." Canadian, Reel. Canada, Prince Edward Island. D Major. Standard. AABB (Messer): AABB' (Perlman). Ken Perlman (1996) states this is a "good old tune" on PEI, especially in the eastern part of the island and is played in a medley with "Homeward Bound." An Irish variant is "Boys of the Lough." Messer (Anthology of Favorite Fiddle Tunes), 1980; No. 79, pg. 54. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 68. Rounder CD7014, Leonard McDonald - "Fiddlers of Western Prince Edward Island" (1997).