The Boys of Bluehill ✧
A classic hornpipe with a rising pickup and a ringing upper-register second part.
Sheet music
Tap a staff note or finger tab to hear it.
A · first time
A · second time
B · first time
B · second time
D whistle · D major · 4/4 · 170 BPM · + upper octave
A · first time
A · second time
B · first time
B · second time
About this tune
The Boys of Bluehill is a hornpipe included in O’Neill’s 1907 dance collection. Its two strains share a familiar closing phrase that brings each part back home.
The opening works around D and A before the second part climbs into a higher register. Running figures and balanced phrases give the tune its brisk, buoyant character.
Performances
Watch musicians play this tune on tin whistle. Keys and arrangements may differ from the tabs above.
The Boys of Bluehill on tin whistle
Tin Whistle Traveler
A whistle play-along of the traditional hornpipe.
Watch on YouTube — The Boys of Bluehill on tin whistle by Tin Whistle Traveler (opens in a new tab) ↗