A Kid on the Mountain – A Slip Jig Journey on Mandolin

I recently uploaded a video of myself playing the classic Irish slip jig “A Kid on the Mountain” on mandolin.

Also known by the Irish title Bogadh Faoi Shúsa (and sometimes spelled Bugga Fee Hoosa), this tune is one of the most recognizable slip jigs in the traditional repertoire. It’s written in 9/8 time and is usually played in a five-part setting, which already makes it longer and more intricate than many common session tunes.

What makes the tune especially interesting is the way it moves between G ionian and aeolian tonalities, creating a kind of musical journey up and down the scale. The melody alternates between darker, slightly tense E-minor passages and brighter G-major moments that feel like small clearings in the tune’s otherwise mysterious landscape. That contrast gives the tune a built-in sense of motion and conversation between its parts.

Although it’s a popular session tune, it can be challenging for players. The phrasing and rhythmic accents don’t always fall where you expect them in simpler slip jigs, so it often takes some time to really internalize the tune’s lilt and phrasing before bringing it up to full session speed.

I first learned this tune from banjo player John Rough back in the late 1980s. It quickly became one of those tunes that stuck with me, and I’ve been playing it regularly since 1989. It’s always been a favorite for its mood, its movement, and the way each part seems to push the tune further along its path.