Click below to listen to an audio sample:

Give Me Your Hand is a very old Irish harp tune dating back to the 17th century but is still very popular in Ireland today.  It was composed by one of the last of the traditional Irish harpers, Ruairi Dáll O’Catháin, while he was visiting Scotland in 1603.

According to the legend, he was visiting the house of a noble woman called Lady Eglinton, who offended him by ordering him to play as if he was just an ordinary musician (like most musicians he had a bit of an ego… see Carolan’s Concerto for another story about an egocentric harper).  So he left the house in a huff and when she realised her mistake, called him back and apologised graciously.  The harper accepted her apology and to thank her, he composed and performed this melody in her honour.

Give Me Your Hand, was an instant hit and was said to have been a favourite of King James, who was the 6th King James of Scotland before he became the 1st King James of England.  It is still popular in Ireland today and is often played at Irish weddings.  It has been recorded numerous times including by the Wolfe Tones and the Chieftons.

This upbeat Celtic melody is ideal for use anywhere during a wedding and it would make a really special Irish arrival or exit piece.