More standard versions of this Piobaireachd tune may be found in both the Killberry book of Ceol Mor and in the Pibroch Society boook. I have modified it according to an excerpt given in the Joseph MacDonald MS where it is shown in 6/8 time. As it more closly resembles the Irish tune Mairseail Righ Laoise. The word ‘bis’ over the end of a bar indicates that that bar is to be repeated.

The similarities between these two tunes are striking. Roderick Cannon has further noted in an article in the Piping Times (Nov. 1988) that an identical tune called Washington’s March was published in ‘The English Dancing Master’ by John Playford in 1651. The tune as given above is essentially what is found in Cap. Francis O’ Neill’s collection and Edward Buntings collection, both from the late 19th century, where it is referred to as Ruaidhri na Cnoch and Ruairidhe Ua Mordha - Rory O’ Moor; King of Leix’s March respectively.  Though the names of tunes come and go and are often outlived by the tunes themselves it is interesting to note that in the century before Playford a rebellion against the Elizabethan government in Ireland was precipitated by one Fiach MacHugh O’ Byrne and one Rory Og O’Moore.  Though Rory was murdered in 1578, O’ Byrne went on to solidly defeat Elizabeth’s forces under Lord Grey de Wilton, at the Battle

We have played March of the King of Laois on and off for many years. It changes its character quite dramatically depending on the tempo at which it is played and is therefore a sort of tune for all moods.