The Rights of Man
Key: E minor | Meter: 4/4 | Tempo: Moderate BPM
Key: E minor | Meter: 4/4 | Tempo: Moderate BPM
ABC length: 313 
X: 9
T: The Rights Of Man
R: hornpipe
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Emin
Q: 1/4=110
|:GA|"Em"B2A2 G2F2|EFGA B2ef|gfed edBd|"Am"cBAG "D/B"A2GA|
"Em"BcAB GAFG|EFGA B2ef|"Am"gfed "D/B"Bgfg|"Em"e2 E2 E2:|
|:ga|"G"babg "Em"efga|"G"babg "Em"egfe|"D"d^cde fefg|"Bm"afdf a2gf|
"C"edef gfga|"Am"bgaf gfef|gfed "D/B"Bgfg|"Em"e2 E2 E2:|

The Rights of Man

Key: E Minor | Meter: 4/4 | Tempo: 110 BPM

ABC length: 420

Overview

The Rights of Man is a well-known hornpipe found throughout English, Irish and Scottish traditional music sessions. It has become a firm favourite with melody players because of its strong rhythmic character, memorable phrases and satisfying harmonic movement.

Although often treated as a traditional tune, it is commonly attributed to the Northumbrian composer James Hill (1811–1853). Like many session standards, it exists in several settings and keys, with E minor being one of the most widely played versions. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The tune has a classic hornpipe feel: steady, lifted and dance-like, but with enough melodic interest to reward expressive playing.

About This Tune

  • Name: The Rights of Man
  • Composer: James Hill (attributed)
  • Rhythm: Hornpipe
  • Meter: 4/4 (often written as C|)
  • Key: E minor
  • Structure: AABB
  • Typical Tempo: ~100–120 BPM
  • Session Setting: English and Irish traditional sessions

The tune appears in multiple collections and is played across the wider Celtic and English traditional music community. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Musical Characteristics

  • Strong hornpipe pulse
  • Memorable repeated phrases
  • Clear AABB structure
  • Rich minor-key character
  • Good balance between rhythmic drive and melodic movement

The opening phrase immediately establishes the tune’s character, with repeated motifs that make it accessible for learning by ear while still leaving room for variation.

Mode

E Minor

E F♯ G A B C D E

The minor tonality gives the tune a slightly darker colour than many major-key hornpipes, while retaining the energetic lift expected from the dance form.

Harmony

Typical accompaniment follows the melodic movement rather than dominating it.

Common Chord Outline

Section Typical Harmony
A Em – Bm – Am – D
B Em – D – Bm – Em

Suggested accompaniment:

  • Em drones work well underneath the melody
  • Guitar or bouzouki should maintain the hornpipe lift
  • Avoid over-emphasising every beat; let the melody lead

Learning Tips

  • Feel the hornpipe rhythm as a long-short swing rather than straight eighth notes.
  • Learn the A and B parts separately before combining them.
  • Keep the repeated phrases relaxed; the tune should feel like it is moving forward naturally.
  • Listen for the characteristic lift into the second half of each phrase.

Performance Notes

  • Keep the pulse steady but avoid making it rigid.
  • Let the melody breathe between phrases.
  • Add ornamentation carefully — the tune works well with clarity.
  • Encourage rhythmic lift rather than simply increasing speed.

Guitar / Accompaniment

  • Use light, swinging rhythm.
  • Emphasise the hornpipe feel rather than a straight reel pulse.
  • Support the melody with simple chord movement.
  • Consider drones and sustained chords to avoid crowding the tune.

Session Notes

  • A strong tune for introducing hornpipe rhythm.
  • Works well in mixed English and Irish repertoire sets.
  • Pairs naturally with other E minor hornpipes.
  • Benefits from a confident lead melody and restrained accompaniment.

Similar Tunes

  • The Harvest Home
  • Boys of Blue Hill
  • The Rights of Man variants in other keys
  • The Liverpool Hornpipe