John Ryan's

"John Ryan's" is a widely played tune in traditional Irish music. It's often played at the end of a set of polkas.

What it's Called:

The tune has many names, including:

• "John Ryan’s" (most common)
• “Ryan’s”
• "The Keadue Polka"
• “Sean Ryan’s Polka”
• "Dum Dum"
• “Dum-Dum Diddle-Liddle”
• “Forty Pound Float” (especially in Australia and New Zealand)
• "Irish Saffron" (reportedly used in a military band performance)

It appeared in a 1979 publication called "Begged Borrowed and Stolen" under the title “Forty Pound Float,” possibly due to confusion with a different tune.

Who is John Ryan?

It's unclear exactly who John Ryan was. One possibility is a musician from Mallow, County Cork, who played the fiddle.

How it's Played:

• Many musicians play a short, humorous solo at the beginning of the tune.
• Guitarists often play a characteristic "Dang Dang" chord progression on the first, third, and fifth bars.
• Some sessions include a playful variation where different people take turns improvising on the tune.
• Sometimes it is played responsorially, with a soloist “calling” a phrase and the group “answering.”

Where You Might Hear It:

• Titanic films
• Gerry McFadden’s piping albums
• The children’s television show *Bluey*
• Renaissance fairs (as part of a set with "Peg Ryan")
• Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee parade

Musical Variations:

There are many recorded versions of the tune, with some differing in the second half.

Online Resources:

You can find recordings and sheet music online at sites like TheSession.org and on YouTube.