MacLeod's Farewell

MacLeod's Farewell is a tune that has gained popularity recently, though its history is a bit complicated. It was originally composed by Donald Shaw of the band Capercaillie. The tune was written for the band’s departing fiddler, Martin MacLeod, hence the title "MacLeod's Farewell."

Initially, the tune became widely known through the band Lúnasa, who played it on their album. However, Lúnasa mistakenly labeled the tune as "The Wedding Reel." This mislabeling led to confusion, with many people referring to it by the incorrect name. It has been noted that Lunasa sometimes gets tune names wrong.

The tune exists in different keys. Originally written in E Major by Donald Shaw, Lúnasa transposed it down to D Major for easier playing on pipes and flute. The Capercaillie version on their album “Sidewaulk” is the original E Major setting.

The tune has appeared on several recordings, though some of these listings were initially automated and inaccurate, matching names incorrectly. It's been performed at sessions and festivals, including the Fleadh in Letterkenny.

Despite the occasional confusion about its name and origins, MacLeod's Farewell is now widely recognized as a distinct tune, separate from other pieces sometimes called "The Wedding Reel." Several versions and transcriptions of the tune are available in tune collections and online archives.

Note: Some discussions speculate that Lúnasa may have learned the tune from a Capercaillie recording, although this remains unconfirmed. Some people have attempted to transpose the Lúnasa version back to the original key of E, while others suggest keeping the D version as it’s become popular.