The most recorded and celebrated fiddle version of The Maid Behind the Bar is by Clare fiddle master Vincent Griffin on his 1977 album Traditional Fiddle Music from County Clare. For a classic group arrangement, listen to Aly Bain on his 1980s solo albums. Sourced from our database of 196 recordings, The Maid Behind the Bar is the #3 most played reel in live sessions, appearing in 909 unique sets.
Why this page is useful: This data-driven guide analyzes commercial albums and user sets from the Trad Tune Explorer database. We break down the tune's history, musical structure, chronological recording timeline, notable recordings, and popular set transitions.
1. Introduction & History: The Story of The Maid Behind The Bar
Also known as "The Green Mountain" or "The Barmaid," The Maid Behind the Bar is a bright, driving D major reel. Its syncopated phrasing and dramatic shifts in register make it a true crowd-pleaser and a staple of any high-energy reel set.
The Maid Behind the Bar is a traditional Irish reel. It has long been associated with the Clare and Galway fiddle traditions, where its bouncing rhythm and slides are played with signature lift. The tune is characterized by its syncopated A-part, which jumps up to a high B note on the fiddle, and its rolling, scale-like B-part. It was recorded early in America by legendary Sligo fiddler Michael Coleman in the 1920s under the title "The Green Mountain." Since then, it has become a fundamental standard of the tradition, taught to intermediate students worldwide.
- Multiple Titles: Often called "The Green Mountain" or "The Barmaid" on older albums.
- Syncopation: The A-part features beautiful rhythmic syncopation on the B and A notes, requiring solid timing.
- Universal Repertoire: Appears in 909 live session sets in our database, making it the #3 most popular session reel.
- Great Partner: Famously follows Cooley's Reel or The Silver Spear.
2. Reel Comparison: How The Maid Behind The Bar Compares with Other Reels
The Maid Behind the Bar is a bright D major reel loved for its playability. Here is how it compares to other top session reels in our database:
| Reel Title | Key / Mode | Session Sets | Recordings Count | User Bookmarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drowsy Maggie (ID: 27) | E Dorian | 1,358 | 203 | 636 |
| The Silver Spear (ID: 182) | D Major | 880 | 230 | 216 |
| The Maid Behind The Bar (ID: 64) | D Major | 909 | 203 | 299 |
| The Wise Maid (ID: 118) | D Major | 612 | 130 | 155 |
| Cooley's (ID: 1) | E Dorian | 1,670 | 201 | 568 |
While some reels (like Cooley's) dominate live session sets, others (like The Silver Spear) are actually more commercialized on studio albums, indicating a fascinating "Session vs. Studio" paradox.
3. Sourced Tune Statistics
The following statistics outline the commercial and community footprint of The Maid Behind the Bar:
| Metric | Sourced Value |
|---|---|
| Commercial Recordings Count | 196 albums |
| Session Occurrences Count | 203 unique sets |
| Distinct Recording Artists | 158 artists |
| Tunebook Repertoire Count | Listed in 5887 tunebooks |
| Primary Key/Mode | D Major |
4. Musical Structure & ABC Notation
Musically, the tune is structured in the classic AABB format. The A-part establishes the main rhythmic pattern (often with a repetitive octave or drone shape), while the B-part opens up the melody to higher scale runs.
5. Chronological Recording Timeline
Tracing the tune's recorded history reveals how it grew from a regional favorite to a globally recognized session classic:
6. Notable Recordings from the Database
Below is a detailed analysis of the most recorded and stylistically significant versions of The Maid Behind the Bar from our database:
1. Aengus — Aengus
ID: 3039 | Track 9, Tune #1A classic and highly influential recording of Maid Behind The Bar featuring Aengus's signature lift and ornamentation. This track showcases the Celtic ensemble's role within the living tradition, highlighting a rich ensemble texture featuring driving rhythms and clean melodic articulation.
- Tune #1: Maid Behind The Bar, The (tune, ID: 64)
2. Alex Green — Whistle O'er The Lave O't
ID: 2499 | Track 6, Tune #1A classic and highly influential recording of Maid Behind The Bar featuring Alex Green's signature lift and ornamentation. This track showcases the flute player's role within the living tradition, highlighting Alex Green's traditional piping-style flute phrasing and breathy ornaments, delivering a steady pulse.
- Tune #1: Barmaid, The (tune, ID: 64)
- Tune #3: Scholar, The (tune, ID: 94)
3. Allan MacDonald & Gordon Walker — The Piping Centre 1998 Recital Series - Volume 2
ID: 6573 | Track 13, Tune #11A classic and highly influential recording of Maid Behind The Bar featuring Allan MacDonald & Gordon Walker's signature lift and ornamentation. This track showcases the pipers's role within the living tradition, highlighting their powerful Highland piping style, characterized by crisp gracenotes and a steady, marching pulse.
- Tune #3: Captain Horne (tune, ID: 4262)
- Tune #6: Spitfire (tune, ID: 1157)
- Tune #9: Sleepy Maggie (tune, ID: 787)
- Tune #10: Macfarlanes (tune, ID: 9500)
- Tune #11: Maid Behind The Bar, The (tune, ID: 64)
- Tune #12: Jenny Dang The Weaver (tune, ID: 380)
4. Aly Bain — 50 Fiddle Solos
ID: 3915 | Track 10, Tune #1Aly Bain's driving fiddle style brings a Shetland-infused energy to the tune. Played under the title "The Barmaid," this version is celebrated for its bright tone, smooth string crossings, and high-octane tempo.
- Tune #1: Maid Behind The Bar, The (tune, ID: 64)
5. Aly Bain — First Album
ID: 1636 | Track 6, Tune #1Aly Bain's driving fiddle style brings a Shetland-infused energy to the tune. Played under the title "The Barmaid," this version is celebrated for its bright tone, smooth string crossings, and high-octane tempo.
- Tune #1: Barmaid, The (tune, ID: 64)
- Tune #2: Carpenter, The (tune, ID: 143)
- Tune #3: Reconcilliation, The (tune, ID: 1977)
6. Aly Bain — The Best Of Aly Bain
ID: 3113 | Track 1, Tune #1Aly Bain's driving fiddle style brings a Shetland-infused energy to the tune. Played under the title "The Barmaid," this version is celebrated for its bright tone, smooth string crossings, and high-octane tempo.
- Tune #1: Barmaid, The (tune, ID: 64)
- Tune #2: Carpenter, The (tune, ID: 143)
- Tune #3: Maid In A Box (tune, ID: 1977)
7. Amelia Parker — Forwards
ID: 8065 | Track 7, Tune #2A classic and highly influential recording of Maid Behind The Bar featuring Amelia Parker's signature lift and ornamentation. This track showcases the banjo/whistle player's role within the living tradition, highlighting Amelia Parker's signature lift, clean fingerings, and beautiful ornamentation, highlighting the acoustic dialogue between lead instruments.
- Tune #1: Silver Spear (tune, ID: 182)
- Tune #2: Maid Behind The Bar (tune, ID: 64)
- Tune #3: Jenny Dang The Weaver (tune, ID: 380)
8. Antóin Mac Gabhann and Hilda Chiasson — Ar Aon Bhuille/Marching Beats
ID: 6320 | Track 12, Tune #3A classic and highly influential recording of Maid Behind The Bar featuring Antóin Mac Gabhann and Hilda Chiasson's signature lift and ornamentation. This track showcases the tune's role within traditional playing, highlighting a driving rhythm and clean melodic articulation.
- Tune #1: Fisherman's Island (tune, ID: 181)
- Tune #2: Corner House, The (tune, ID: 479)
- Tune #3: Maid Behind The Bar, The (tune, ID: 64)
7. Popular Set Transitions & Pairings
The Maid Behind the Bar is frequently played in high-energy sets. Here are the top transitions based on our session transition archive:
- Cooley's (ID 1) - 124 sets
- Silver Spear (ID 182) - 63 sets
- Drowsy Maggie (ID 27) - 49 sets
- Banshee (ID 8) - 37 sets
- Cooley's (ID 1) - 110 sets
- Banshee (ID 8) - 48 sets
- Sally Gardens (ID 98) - 46 sets
- Wind That Shakes The Barley (ID 116) - 43. sets
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who wrote The Maid Behind The Bar?
It is an anonymous traditional Irish folk tune.
Is The Maid Behind The Bar difficult to play?
It is moderately difficult due to the syncopated rhythm in the A-part and the fast runs in the B-part.
What key is The Maid Behind The Bar in?
It is in D Major.
What instruments suit The Maid Behind The Bar?
It sounds spectacular on the fiddle and button accordion, but is played on all session instruments.
What tune usually follows The Maid Behind The Bar?
Cooley's Reel (12.10%) and The Banshee (5.28%) are the top follow-ons.
Where can I find The Maid Behind The Bar sheet music?
Interactive sheet music settings are available in our Tune Settings Search tool.
Is The Maid Behind The Bar public domain?
Yes, it is a traditional folk tune in the public domain.
Why is it called The Maid Behind The Bar?
The title refers to a barmaid, a common character in folk songs and tunes of the 19th century.
9. Conclusion
The Maid Behind the Bar remains a favorite for its bright energy and comfortable fingering. Study these classic versions to add lift to your own performance.