TuneViva
Menu
Appearance

Paddy Ryan's Dream sheet music

Paddy Ryan's Dream appears here in three sheet-music versions. The scores differ in their opening key signature and time signature, and one setting carries a credit to McNamara and a “reel” label.

Scores 1–20 of 24

Sheet music

Page 1 of 2

Versions at a glance

The three scores present Paddy Ryan's Dream in different notated forms. One is titled as a McNamara setting and labelled “reel”; the other two carry no comparable label or composer credit. Treat these as separate scores to compare rather than as proof of one definitive version.

Key and meter differences

Two scores begin with no sharps or flats and are notated in 4/4. The third begins with one sharp and is notated in 2/2. These details describe the opening notation only; they do not by themselves establish the piece's overall key or show which setting is more authentic.

Attribution and tune type

No composer is named on two of the scores. The remaining setting is credited “after McNamara,” a phrase that indicates a connection to McNamara without confirming original authorship. Similarly, the “reel” description belongs to one setting and should not be applied automatically to every version.

Choosing a score

Compare the opening key signature, time signature and credit before selecting a version. Players who need the one-sharp notation can choose the 2/2 setting, while the two scores with no sharps or flats offer 4/4 notation. If you are following a particular named setting, the McNamara credit may be the deciding detail.

Scores to open first

Related collections

Common questions

Is Paddy Ryan's Dream a reel?

One of the three scores is explicitly labelled “(reel)” in its title; the other two are not. That label supports describing that particular setting as a reel, but it does not prove that every version of Paddy Ryan's Dream is a reel.

Does Paddy Ryan's Dream have a named composer?

Two of the three scores list no composer, while one is credited “after McNamara.”

Why do the scores use different key signatures?

The three scores begin with different key signatures: two have no sharps or flats and one has one sharp. Those markings describe the opening notation only and do not by themselves identify the key or prove that one version is more authentic. Check the full score and your group's preferred key before choosing.

Why do the scores use different time signatures?

Two scores are notated in 4/4 and one in 2/2. The difference affects how the music is counted and conducted, so players joining a session or ensemble should confirm which meter the group uses rather than assuming the versions are interchangeable.

How should I choose between the available versions?

Compare the opening key signature, meter and attribution. A player who needs the one-sharp notation can choose the score in 2/2 with one sharp; those wanting 4/4 notation with no sharps or flats have two options. The credit “after McNamara” may also matter if you are following that particular setting.