The Lark In The Morning

"The Lark In The Morning" is a popular Irish tune, often played on the tin whistle and pipes. It appears in several collections, including *The Cumann na bPiobairi Collection of Pipe-Friendly Tunes* and *Mel Bay’s Complete Irish Fiddle Player*.

Story and Origins: A story, possibly related by fiddle player Peter Cooper, tells of two fiddlers who played all night in a contest. Unable to decide a winner, they heard a lark singing at dawn and agreed its music was sweeter than their own. It's speculated the tune may have been initially played on the pipes, as it lends itself well to the whistle. Some sources say the tune's story may be a version of a tale told by uilleann piper Seamus Ennis, originally about pipers and a tune called "The Lark’s March." It's also rumored to be connected to the reel "The Bucks of Oranmore."

Structure and Playing: The tune is long, but many phrases repeat, making it easier to learn. Some players suggest "rolling" long G and F notes for a unique effect. Fiddle players sometimes use double-stopping. The tune has at least four parts, with later parts being variations on earlier ones.

Related Tunes and Names: It is sometimes referred to as "The Morning Lark," "Lark on the Strand," and, potentially, a version played by Robin Williamson. "Lark on the Strand," as played by Dervish, is a distinctly different jig. Other tunes that complement "The Lark in the Morning" include "The Two and Sixpenny Girl," "The Goat’s Horns," and "Ap Shenkin."

Note: There is some debate about the precise history and connection of this tune to other tunes and names. Some of these are just local rumors or speculation.