One of the most beloved slip jigs in the tradition - delicate, haunting, and surprisingly accessible for beginners despite its ethereal beauty.
About This Tune
The Butterfly is a modern classic that has become a staple of Irish sessions worldwide. Composed by Tommy Potts (1912-1988), one of the greatest Irish fiddlers of the 20th century, it has the feel of an ancient tune despite being relatively recent.
A slip jig is in 9/8 time, giving it a lilting, flowing quality that’s different from the more familiar 6/8 jig. The Butterfly captures this perfectly - its melody seems to drift and hover like its namesake.
Despite being marked as beginner-friendly, this is more about the simplicity of the melody than technical demands. The slip jig rhythm takes some getting used to if you’re new to 9/8 time, but the tune is so beautiful that it’s worth the effort.
ABC Notation
X: 1
T: The Butterfly
R: slip jig
M: 9/8
L: 1/8
K: Emin
|:"Em"B2E G2E "D"F3|"Em"B2E G2E "D"FED|"Em"B2E G2E "D"F3|"C"B2d d2B "D"AGA:|
|:"C"B2c e2f g3|"D/B"B2e g2e dBA|"Am"B2c e2f g2a|"C"b2a g2e "D"dBA:|
|:"Em"B3 B2A G2A|B3 BAB "D"dBA|"Em"B3 B2A "G"G2A|"C"B2e g2e "D"dBA:|
Chords
This tune sounds beautiful with minimal accompaniment - simple Em and D chords work perfectly:
Part A:
- Em (throughout)
- D (occasional passing chord)
Part B:
- Em → D → Em
Part C:
- Em → D → Em
The simpler the better with this one - let the melody breathe. Many players prefer just Em with occasional D moves.
Learning Tips
- Count the slip jig rhythm: 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 (three groups of three)
- The melody is very stepwise - no big leaps to navigate
- Focus on keeping the rhythm smooth and flowing, not choppy
- This tune is about tone and phrasing more than speed
- Listen to multiple versions to hear different approaches to ornamentation
- Don’t rush - slip jigs are meant to have space and breath
Session Etiquette
- Usually played 2-3 times through, sometimes more if it’s going well
- Often played as a standalone tune because slip jigs are less common than jigs and reels
- Sometimes paired with other slip jigs like The Snowy Path or Give Us a Drink of Water
- Perfect for a change of pace after a set of faster reels
Performance Notes
The Butterfly rewards subtlety:
- Use dynamics - this tune can swell and fade beautifully
- Traditionally played with gentle ornamentation (rolls, cuts, taps)
- Some players add a slight pause before the final phrase of each part
- Works beautifully as a slow air or at full slip jig tempo
This is one of those tunes that sounds gorgeous even when played simply, making it perfect for newer players who want to contribute something beautiful to a session.