Finnegans Wake Sheet Music And Tin Whistle Notes
Plus Mandolin Tab and the piano sheet music-Irish song By The Dubliners, also recorded by The Clancy Brothers and by Dropkick Murphys. The youtube video is by Jean-Baptiste Meynard. Finnegans Wake Lyrics And Chords .Finnegans wake sheet music notes for Irish folk song in Do Re Me solfege format now included. The tin whistle tabs are in the keys of D and G Major..
Song meaning.
"Finnegan’s Wake" is a traditional Irish folk song known for its humor, lively tune, and clever storytelling. It tells the story of Tim Finnegan, an Irish laborer and heavy drinker who dies after a fall but is miraculously revived at his own wake when whiskey is accidentally spilled on him. The song is playful and full of Irish wit, celebrating themes of life, death, resurrection, and, of course, the central role of alcohol in Irish social life.
1. The Plot
2. Themes of Death and Resurrection
3. Irish Wit and Humor
4. Connection to James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake
5. Cultural Significance
Summary"Finnegan’s Wake" is a lively and humorous Irish folk song that tells the story of Tim Finnegan’s miraculous resurrection at his own wake after whiskey is spilled on him. Celebrating themes of life, death, and Irish resilience with a playful twist, the song is a testament to Ireland’s rich storytelling and musical traditions. Its wit and charm have made it a beloved part of Irish folk culture and a favorite at celebrations and singalongs.
"Finnegan’s Wake" is a traditional Irish folk song known for its humor, lively tune, and clever storytelling. It tells the story of Tim Finnegan, an Irish laborer and heavy drinker who dies after a fall but is miraculously revived at his own wake when whiskey is accidentally spilled on him. The song is playful and full of Irish wit, celebrating themes of life, death, resurrection, and, of course, the central role of alcohol in Irish social life.
1. The Plot
- The story follows Tim Finnegan, a builder by trade with a love for whiskey. One day, after drinking a bit too much, he falls from a ladder and is presumed dead. His friends and family gather for his wake, which quickly turns into a lively, chaotic celebration.
- A fight breaks out among the mourners, and in the scuffle, someone spills whiskey on Tim’s body. Miraculously, he jumps up, revived by the alcohol, declaring that he’s not dead after all.
2. Themes of Death and Resurrection
- The idea of resurrection is central to the song, presented in a humorous and lighthearted way. The Irish tradition of the wake—a celebration of the deceased’s life with food, drink, and music—is exaggerated here to the point where death itself becomes temporary.
- This theme may be a playful nod to Irish resilience and the idea that life, even in the face of death, goes on with humor and celebration.
3. Irish Wit and Humor
- "Finnegan’s Wake" is full of classic Irish wit. The idea of someone being "revived" by whiskey reflects the importance of alcohol in Irish social culture and storytelling traditions. The absurdity of the situation, with Tim popping up after his wake turns into a brawl, showcases the song’s comic brilliance.
4. Connection to James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake
- The famous Irish author James Joyce borrowed the song’s title for his complex and experimental novel Finnegans Wake (1939). Joyce’s novel uses Tim Finnegan’s story as a metaphor for cyclical themes of life, death, and rebirth, central to his broader exploration of history and mythology.
5. Cultural Significance
- The song has become a staple of Irish folk music, often performed at pubs and celebrations for its upbeat tune and entertaining story. Bands like The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers have popularized it worldwide.
Summary"Finnegan’s Wake" is a lively and humorous Irish folk song that tells the story of Tim Finnegan’s miraculous resurrection at his own wake after whiskey is spilled on him. Celebrating themes of life, death, and Irish resilience with a playful twist, the song is a testament to Ireland’s rich storytelling and musical traditions. Its wit and charm have made it a beloved part of Irish folk culture and a favorite at celebrations and singalongs.
Finnegans wake sheet music and tin whistle notes in D Major
Key of G Major
These are the notes that are used in the version by Jean in the youtube video, they are pretty much the same as the sheet music, Jean starts off playing the E note. He's using a C whistle.
E E E E D E A A B C B A G E D D E D E A A B C B A G A B C
C C C D C B A G C C C D C B A C C C D C B A G A B A A G A B C
E E E E D E A A B C B A G E D D E D E A A B C B A G A B C
C C C D C B A G C C C D C B A C C C D C B A G A B A A G A B C
Finnegans wake piano sheet music notes for Irish folk song in Do Re Me solfege format
The pdf piano sheet music is in G Major with chords.

finnegans-wake-piano-sheet-music-by-the-dubliners.pdf |
Below is another version of the piano sheet music.