The Top 5 Irish Folk Songs to Play on the Tin Whistle

The tin whistle is a simple yet elegant instrument that is perfect for playing Irish folk songs. In this blog post, we will countdown the top 5 Irish folk songs to play on the tin whistle.

The Top 5 Irish Folk Songs

1. “The Minstrel Boy”
2. “The Wild Rover”
3. “Danny Boy”
4. “Whiskey in the Jar”
5. “The Irish Washerwoman”

“The Wild Rover”

“The Wild Rover” is a traditional Irish folk song about a man who’s down on his luck and decides to head back to his home in Ireland. The song is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day, and it’s a popular choice for tin whistle players.

“The Galway Piper”

The Galway Piper is a folk song that originated in the county of Galway in Ireland. It is a popular song among Irish music fans and is often played on the tin whistle. The song tells the story of a piper who is playing his pipes in the town of Galway when he catches the attention of a young girl. The girl then asks the piper to play a tune for her and he does so. The two then dance together and eventually fall in love.

“The Irish Washerwoman”

“The Irish Washerwoman” is a traditional Irish folk song that is often played on the tin whistle. The song is about a woman who is doing her laundry in a river and she is singing as she works. The song is a relatively simple one to play on the tin whistle and it is a great song to learn if you are just starting out.

“The Minstrel Boy”

“The Minstrel Boy” is a ballad written by Thomas Moore in 1808. It is about a young man who leaves his homeland to fight in a war and is killed. The song has been covered by many artists, including U2 and Bruce Springsteen.

The lyrics of the song tell the story of a young man who leaves his home to fight in a war. He is killed in battle, but his spirit lives on through his music. The song is a reminder that the young men who go off to war are only human and that their lives are just as valuable as the lives of those who stay at home.

The tune of “The Minstrel Boy” is very catchy and easy to play on the tin whistle. It is a great choice for beginner players because it only requires two notes, but it sounds much more complex than it actually is.

“Danny Boy”

“Danny Boy” is a ballad written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly and usually set to the Irish tune of the “Londonderry Air”. It is most closely associated with Irish communities.

The lyrics of “Danny Boy” are usually sung as a melancholy goodbye to a loved one who is going away, or as a remembrance of someone who has died. The lyrics tell the story of an old man who is standing on the hills of Ireland, looking out over the valley below, thinking about his young son who is away in America. He reflects on all the happy times they had together, and how he will miss him now that he is gone.

The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, Anne Murray, and Adele. It is also commonly played at funerals and memorial services, particularly in Ireland and North America.