Percy Grainger, like Bartók and Vaughan Williams, collected folk songs and often made more than one instrumental or vocal version of them. Irish Tune from County Derry is one case in point: the composer fashioned a number of arrangements of this folk tune; this one, with the identifying work number BFMS 15, was the second and is probably the most commonly heard of the lot. The original arrangement, from 1902, was for chorus, and this string orchestra setting dates to 1913. Its tune is familiar to listeners throughout the world as the melody in the song "Danny Boy."

Grainger's string orchestra version lasts about four minutes and is given an appropriately sentimental treatment. The theme is first presented with a cello-dominated mellowness in rather simple, mellifluous harmonies. The melody turns sadder when the string sonorities rise to higher ranges in the second half of the work. The optional horns provide harmonic support and though they are dispensable, their bolstering tones at the close impart a lovely poignancy to the piece. While there is little of Grainger's own style evident in this arrangement, the music is beautiful and should appeal to his admirers as well as folk music enthusiasts.

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