The Maid Behind the Bar

This is one of the most played reels in Irish sessions, and it was on record very early. Piper and stage performer Patsy Touhey cut it on cylinders sometime between 1901 and 1919. In 1916 accordion player Edward Herborn and banjo player James Wheeler recorded it for Columbia, paired with a version of "The Kesh," on one of the first records of Irish dance music.

It has gone by many names. Ryan's Mammoth Collection printed versions in 1883 as "Indy's Favorite" and "Judy's Reel." John Kimmel recorded it in 1920 as "The Bartender," and James Morrison's 1923 recording was labeled "Haymaker." Morrison's playing, with piper Tom Ennis, did a lot to fix the tune and its usual name in the repertoire.