Is Fada Liom Uaim Í (Molly na gCuach Ní Chuilleanáin)

Cad tá uait?  What do you want?  Cad tá ag teastáil uait?  What do you need?  (Cad tá ort - what's wrong with you?!)  Airím uaim mo chairde - I miss my friends.  Is fada liom uaim í - I miss her a lot (despite what you see in the usual transations - see fada)

The song is in the Ulster dialect. Cha dtéim is Ulster Irish for ní théim (I don't go) (cha = ní, chan = níl).

There are some conditionals, and a past habitual, so the grammar isn't totally for beginners.  But the chorus is pretty easy:

Is fada liom uaim í, uaim í  (I miss her, miss her a lot)
Is fada liom uaim í ó d'imigh sí  (I miss her since she went away)
Is fada liom thíos agus thuas í (I miss her below and above (everywhere))
Molly na gcuach Ní Chuilleanáin  (Molly of the curls Cullinane)

As usual, there are lots of very different versions of this song.  A popular one is Altan's, although it's hard to get her lyrics a lot of the time.  Danú did a nice more traditional rendition.  There are more!  There's even a crazy parody version...#12...

I Lár an Aonaigh - In the Centre of the Fair

 Aonach, an t-aonach, lár an aonaigh.  Useful word, with some good songs!

One is kind of a kids' song, but everybody knows and likes it:

Beidh Aonach Amárach

Here's a traditional rendition by Joe Heaney.  And here's a very different version by Altan. And this is the more common melody, by John Spillane.

As always, there are many versions of this.  Here are the lyrics (although there are some variations of course, and this has verses that not everyone does).  If you search on that website, you can find a dozen versions from different artists.  A nice thing about this song is that there is a lot of repetition, so it gets things in your head.

A few notes:  Gréasaí bróg is a cobbler of shoes.  Cé mhaith dom é = cén mhaith dom é, what good is it to me.

Another song which mentions a fair is a great drunken song:

Cad é Sin don Té Sin nach mBaineann Sin dó?

Which means, what is that to someone it has nothing to do with - in other words, if I want to drink away all my money, and waste my life, what's it your business?!

Here are the lyrics.  Another well known song, with lots of versions...

Here's Altan.  And here's Maighréad agus Trína Ní Dhónaill.  She mentions doing it many years ago with Skara Brae.  There are many more!

Note:  chun is a preposition that takes the genitive case afterwards, so "chun aonaigh" means to the fair.

First verse:  Chuaigh mé 'un aonaigh is dhíol mé mo bhó (I went to the fair and sold my cow)
Ar chúig phunta airgid is ar ghiní bhuí óir (for five pounds of money/silver and a gold yellow guini)
Má ólaim an t-airgead 's má bhronnaim an t-ór (If I drink the money and give away the gold)
Ó cad é sin don té sin nach mbaineann sin dó? (what business is that to anyone else)

Leabhair a Luadh - Books which were mentioned

 Seo na leabhair a mhol mé sa samhradh - Here are the books I recommended in the Summer.

Eileanóir a Rún

Now that our summer class is over, I'm just going to randomly pick songs that I like, and write about them at random intervals!  I learn something myself every time I do these blog posts, so hopefully you do too, and have some fun with it.  I'll keep them mostly in English so people with any amount of Irish can get something out of it.

This is a song I like to sing and recently just found a great duet version of it.  It is often called Eileanóir na Rún, but I think the n is a result of a style of singing (we heard this in other songs we did early on, where for ornamentation extra Ns crop up between vowels).  This is addressing Eileanór (even though the vocative particle 'a' is absorbed by the vowel at the beginning of Eileanór).  So it is Eleanore my dear, my love (my secret), not Eleanore of the secrets!  Here are the lyrics.

Here's a tradtional sean-nós rendering of it by the great Joe Heaney.

And here is that wonderful duet version by Séamus agus Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta.  This is from 2020.

The song was composed by Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, in the 17th century(!), and there's quite a story behind it (even if it is all made up - the real one seems to be in the previous link - and is almost as amazing!).  This link has Joe Heaney's story and all kinds of details, including an English translation.

Rang Deireanach an tSamhraidh - Dúlamán srl.

This will be the last class/workshop of our series.  I may continue to blog more songs though, as there are just so many to learn about and enjoy!  This time we will look at some very popular songs from the old traditional repetoir.  And we'll get another look at how different performances and arrangements can be.

One of the first groups to make popular arrangements of traditional songs was Clannad.  Here is their version of

Dúlamán

Here are their lyrics, with a translation.  A little tricky/peculiar, and again, this is a song with more than one speaker.  Altan, another big group from Donnegal who are known for their Irish language song arrangements, also did this song (their lyrics are almost the same).  Here is their version.  Celtic Women even did this song as part of their show.  Here it is preceded by An Cailín Álainn.  So this song is about as mainstream as Irish language songs get!  Although among the many other versions out there is one by the Dutch folk/rock/pagan band Omnia, so it runs the gamut. It's even in that animated movie, the Song of the Sea (sort of).  It is quite catchy...

Another very popular song, which is actually another Jacobite song about Bonny Prince Charlie, is

Mo Ghile Mear.

The lyrics aren't easy in this one - they are a few hundred years old, after all!  We don't always know where songs came from, but apparently Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill as Ráth Luirc (1691–1754) wrote this one.  Lots of people have recorded this one, too.  Here's Mary Black singing it.  Not the same verses as above!  How about a nice choral arrangement (ah, the lyrics I know!)?  The Chieftains even let Sting sing the chorus in Irish...

(Seo amhrán neamh-thraidisiúnta dár gcara Caitríona ar an 26ú lá seo de Lúnasa!)

Ach cad a dhéanfaimid feasta?  But what will we do from now on?

Cill Chais

That version is The Dubliners.  Here are the lyrics.  Beware the translation!  This is another group from Galway doing it (in 1981), with English verses too.  There are lots of versions around of this song, too.  This song is apparently about the 18th century but probably composed in the 19th century (so not all that old...).  It's a lament for Margaret Magennis, Viscountess Iveagh, née Burke and also known as Margaret Butler (relative, a Sheosaimh?!).  I believe this is part of the Guinness family.

Antaine Ó Raiftearaí (c.1779-1835)

As I've mentioned already, in 2010 I was privileged to be part of a great TV program, which also became a book (2015), by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagháin, Mise Raiftearaí: An Fíodóir Focal (I am Raftery, the weaver of words). Antaine Ó Raiftearaí was a great poet and songwriter, a blind fiddle player, in the early 19thh century. He was one of the last great professional Irish language poets of the remnant of Gaelic Ireland. Hopefully someday I can show you all that program (I have a copy). I was in it because Raftery's most famous poem, Mise Raiftearaí an File (which Tadhg does not believe he actually wrote!) was published originally in An Gaodhal (An Gael), the periodical which I now edit and publish. Raftery's songs and poems are still very popular. It was Patrick Pearse who re-ignited interest in Raftery, after he heard someone singing one of the songs when he was learning Irish.


I have not found a way to get the film on-line, but this is a clip from it, about the first song we will look at, Eanach Dhúin (usually now mis-spelled as Eanach Chuain or Cuan - spelling is an issue with Raftery's name and more than one song title!). One of the saddest songs in Irish, and that's saying something! This is of course what is now called sean nós singing.

Eanach Cuan [Dhúin] 

(the great Joe Heaney/Séosamh Ó hÉanaí singing in the above link).  Here are all his lyrics.
Here are the lyrics, with translation.
In case you are interested, there is an English language version.  Even though it is very nice, it's not as close to the reality of the story and the true feeling of the original.

This is not by any means the most famous of Raftery's songs.  That would be the one that everyone knows:

Cill Aodáin

(which should be Cill Liadáin!).  This is a completely different type of song - it's just fun.  An exaggerated praise of one of his stomping grounds in Mayo.   Here are they lyrics with translation.  Strangely, although it is super well known, there aren't many versions on youtube.  Here are the first 2/3 with a little explanation first.
Here are some kids doing parts of this and another great song.  These songs have always been taught in the schools.
This song has been played around with in all different ways.  Áine Uí Cheallaigh (who was in Riverdance and other shows, a great singer especially in Irish) did a very interesting version with orchestra (in Riverdance).

Máire ní hEidhin

(3 verses only in the link above).  This is again a totally different type of song, one praising a woman (and he did like his women...).  He even mentions himself in the song.  Here are the lyrics.
Here's the whole song being done at the Oireachtas (Buaiteoir Chorn Uí Riada 2013 Micheál Ó Confhaola).  The Oireachtas is the annual Irish language festival, and the Ó Riada prize is for sean nós singing - the biggest recognition you can get.
The biggest praise a woman can get is to have poems or songs written about her, of course.  And it is an ancient tradition that poets' praises or satires can make or break your reputation (and possibly have physical effects as well!).  If you are a wandering poet like Raftery was (one of the last), if your host is generous, you praise him, and vice-versa...  Raftery even had a poetry (insult) duel with another poet at one time - kind of like wizards battling!

So maybe you'll want to read the book now!

Preab san Ól (Drinking and Drunk Songs)

Contrary to the stereotype of the teetotaling Irish person, we in fact do have quite a few drinking songs, and songs about being a drunkard.  These things happen!  These are generally fun and funny songs.  This being our theme this week, we'll start with a big one.  The Dubliners did this with English and Irish alternating verses - this is a not uncommon practice in Irish songs, especially as the language started to wane.  The English verses often are quite different from the Irish, and sometimes have nothing in common.  In fact, there are some quite seditious Irish songs which the English thought were something else altogether.  Others are poetic translations.  We won't be bothered with the English rubbish.  So here's a fully Irish version of

Preab san Ól

(ag cur preab san ól - to drink with gusto)

Here are the lyrics.  Note that she does the verses in a different order, and some of the particular words are different (although the general meaning is the same).  The translation is, shall we say, a bit loose.  She is an Ulster singer (sister of Moya Breathnach from Clannad).

The point of the song is summed up by the last 2 lines of each verse:

Mar sin is dá bhrí sin, níl beart níos críonna,  (And on account of that, there's no wiser move)
Ná bheith go síoraí ag cur preab san ól.          (Than to be forever drinking with gusto).

Hey, remember Tadhg from last week?  He did a cute sort of bossa nova version of this song.

Next we go full carousal with

Bímis ag Ól

(Let us be drinking).  The recording in that link is the very famous (late) Diarmaid Ó Súilleabháin and singers from Cúil Aodha, which is a Gaeltacht in Cork.

Here's the famous Jimmy Crowley version. 

Ah, for the poitín from Cúil Aodha...

The chorus sums up this song:

Agus bímis ag ól ‘s ag ól is ag ól  (Let us drink...)
bímis ag ól is ag pógadh na mban (...and be kissin' the women)
bímis ag ól is ag rince le ceol  (...and dancing with music)
is nach aoibhinn an gnó bheith á bpógadh gan tart  (ain't it great to be kissin' 'em without thirst).

A couple of vocabulary notes:

momharach, stately, noble

téanaim - let's go (from téana)

ag diúgadh - draining (our cups)

glisneathach- glioscarnach (I'm pretty sure...)

tréith - weak, feeble (as in tréithlag)

taosc - a bailing bucket full

soghach = sóch

geocach

So so much for praising drinking.  Now let's be proud to be a drunk!  This is another super famous song:

Tá 'na Lá (Níl 'na Lá)

Some songs (like Dúlaman, although that one at least says 'arsa' to give you a clue) only make sense when you realize that more than one character is speaking.  This is about a drunk and the innkeeper's daughter and the innkeeper who's trying to get rid of him, and there's another drunk too, apparently...see my copy of the lyrics below).  It's day!  No it's not!  And so on.

Needless to say, this is a popular pub song...  And needless to say, there are many different versions.

Solas did a very different, quick version of this song, which I like a lot.

There are a lot of other great drunk and drinking songs - if only we had time!  Maybe down the road.  Anyway, there's An Crúiscín Lán (which has both fighting and drinking!), Amhrán an Phoitín (which shows the many benefits of the poitín...well, curses on the revenue man who comes after the still...), Ólaim Puins, Cadé Sin don Té Sin....  Explore Youtube!  Buy some song books!  Bímis ag canadh as Gaeilge!

Amhráin Spraíúla - fun songs

This first one is a lot of fun, and very popular with learners who have dealt with all kinds of grammar.  He's in love with a girl, but unfortunately, her grammar is not quite up to snuff.  Tadhg has a lot of wonderful songs, and I encourage you to check out more and maybe get his best of CD, Imíonn an tAm, Rogha Amhrán.  I know him, actually, and was in a short film with him (in 2010!), which was expanded on in his book of the same name, Raiftearaí:  An Fíodóir Focal (in which he mentions me!).  But that's another story...  Anyway, some Conamara Irish here, and actually a great grammar lesson!  This song is from 1988.

 Amhrán an Ghaeilgeora Mhóir

 le Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin

Bhí mise i ngrá le cailín tráth
Cailín a bhris mo chroí
An cailín ab áille ag siúl na sráide
A leithéidí ní fhaca tú riamh
Agus bheadh muid pósta agus sásta inniu
Bheadh páistí ar fud an tí
Ag gaeilgeoireacht ó dhubh go dubh
Murach a cuid gramadaí.

Ó mura bhfuil an tuiseal ginideach agat
Agus slacht ar do chuid 'h'eannaí
Níl suim dá laghad agam ionat
Mar is cinnte go mbrisfidh tú mo chroí
Ach más gaeilgeoir snasta blasta thú
'is má thuigeann tú cúrsaí gramadaí
Tar trasna na páirce móire chugam
Táim anseo i dtóin an tí.

Táim ag siúl an bhóthair uaignigh seo
Le fada fada an lá
Ag cuartú na mná gaelaí i ngach aon áit
Ach faraor, níl sí le fáil
Bean atá tugtha don tuiseal tabharthach
Bean a thuigeann na díochlaontaí
Bean a rachadh chun na leapan liom
Le Graiméar na mBráithre Críostaí

Óra mura bhfuil an tuiseal ginideach agat
Agus slacht ar do chuid 'h'eannaí
Níl suim dá laghad agam ionat
Mar is cinnte go mbrisfidh tú mo chroí
Ach más gaeilgeoir snasta blasta thú
is má thuigeann tú cúrsaí gramadaí
Tar trasna na sráide caoile chugam
Táim anseo i dtóin an tí.

Mar sin más tú an cailín seo
Is má tá tú i do shaineolaí
Ar rangabháil na deacrachta
Gan trácht ar na tréaniolraí
Má bhaineann tú pléisiúr as na cosain chaola
Más maith leat an briathar saor
Tar liomsa a stóirín nó go n-éaloidh muid le chéile
Ach ar dtús, scrúdú beag gramadaí.

Óra mura bhfuil an tuiseal ginideach agat
Agus slacht ar do chuid 'h'eannaí
Níl suim dá laghad agam ionat
Mar is cinnte go mbrisfidh tú mo chroí
Ach más gaeilgeoir snasta blasta thú
Is má thuigeann tú cúrsaí gramadaí
Tar trasna na páirce móire chugam
Tar trasna na sráide caoile chugam
Tar trasna na leabharlainne ciúine chugam
Tar trasna na farraige gairbhe chugam
Tar trasna na carraige duibhe chugam
Tar trasna na liomanáide báine chugam
Táim anseo i dtóin an tí.

Bheadh muid pósta agus sásta inniu
Bheadh páistí ar fud an tí
Ag gaeilgeoireacht ó dhubh go dubh
Murach a cuid gramadaí.


Country and Western style music is very popular in Conamara, and there's a lot of it in Irish, believe it or not!  A lot of great songs are out there by Seán Monaghan, for example.  And so is Cajun style music - check out the Máimín Cajun Band some time!  This song is by a new group following along those lines, also from Conamara (Galway).  I just found this by accident recently.  It's a funny song.  Fadas are important!  The band is called Aerach, although I don't think they are...  I think this song is from 2019.  There's a reference to a great sean-nós singer, Máirtín Tom Sheáinín.

Amhrán an Speedvan 

 

 D’fhág mé an teach an lá cheana, faoi dheifir is le brí,
Thug mé m’aghaidh thar Daingean siar is mé ag déanamh ar Thír an Fhia,
Gan mórán aird ar mo ghraithe [gnó] ‘am is mé ag deirfir le bheith in am,
Diabhail a’fhaca mé riamh an Speedvan a bhí tarraingnithe in Eanach Mheáin.

Bhí sé deireanach ‘am stopadh an t-am sin is mé ag imeacht ‘s cois go clár,
Is mé ag guí le Dia nach bhfeicfí mé nó nach n-athnóidh siad an carr,
'Sé gur thug mé tuilleadh bróig di, chas is chrom mo cheann,
Is má bhí fine le fáil 'sé déarfainn nach mé a bhí ann.

{c: Curfá}
Ó Chill Chiaráin go na hAille Thoir is as sin go Doire an Fhéich,
Má fheiceann tú uait an speedvan seo a dhiabhail déan go réidh,
Mar is minic iad ar thaobh an bhóthair maidin moch nó titim oíche,
Is an oiread leis an bpotholes tráth nach mbrisfidís do chroí.

Mo mhallacht orthu siúd a casadh orm nár thug flash nó text fhéin,
Le rá go mbeadh sí faire ann is é thógáil go deas réidh,
Diabhail ‘s a'm cé m[h]éid é an bóthair sin ach tá ‘s a'm rud amháin,
Gur iomaí pictiúr tarraingthe acu dhom fhéin is mo charr bán.

Bhí coicís caite is diabhail litir tagtha bhí a’ cheapadh go raibh a'm,
Ach maidin inné is mé ag ól braon tae is mé ag éisteacht le Máirtín Tom,
Tháinig bean an phost thar tairseach isteach is leag sí ualach i mo ghóil,
Nach raibh dhá cheann déag do fineannaí ann ‘s gan a'msa ach seic an dole.

{c: Curfá}

Isteach liom go Gaillimh is mo phócaí folamh go bhfeicfinn an breitheamh mór,
Bhí sí cantalach géar is í síneadh a méar is mise bodharaithe ag an ngleo,
Ansin labhair mé fhéin go múinte, réidh: One moment now a stór,
Níl ‘s a'm cé hé fhéin but that’s not my name, I put a fada above the O.

Caitheadh amach an cás is ag Dia tá ‘s fhios chuir sé ríméad ar mo chroí,
Cé cheapfadh tada don síneadh fada ach nár sháraigh sé an dlí,
Is má thagann form nó fine le n-íoc nó bille ón ESB,
As ucht Dé ort caith súil ghéar cén chaoi bhfuil d’ainm ann litrithe.

{c: Curfá}

Isteach liom sa gcarr 's bhí an tráthnóna breá is an ghrian ag teannadh siar,
Breá sásta liom fhéin tar éis an lae is an breitheamh curtha a'm dhíom,
Nuair a ghlaoigh an fón ‘s é i mo phóca, sé Timmy an tSeoighe a bhí ann,
Tá sí thiar ar bhóthar Loch an Iolra, abair é leis an gclann.

Tá deireadh anois le m’amhránsa is críochnóidh mé an dán,
Mo sheacht mallacht don na Speedvans cibé coirnéal a bhíonn siad ann,
Má leanann an chraic i bhfad eile diabhail carr a bheas ar bóthar,
Ach muid ag imeacht is an bicycle againn tabhairt aghaidh ar an mbaile mór.


What's a speed van?


 There are lots of funny songs in Irish (including my own parodies on Cleas Amhrán, which you can find here...and note the title of the book some of the lyrics are from...).  This is an oldie but a goodie.  Munster Irish here (do!).  This is a very popular and well known song, and has been done by lots of famous people.  Here's some (possibly speculative) info about the song and a very free translation:  Lyrics.

An Poc ar Buile

Ar mo ghabáil dom siar chun Droichead Uí Mhórdha
Píce i m' dhóid is mé ag dul i meitheal
Cé chasfaí orm i gcumar ceoidh
Ach pocán crón is é ar buile

Alliliú puilliliu
Alliliú tá'n poc ar buile

Do ritheamar trasna trí ruilleogach (1)
Is do ghluais an comhrac ar fud na muinge (2)
Is treascairt dá bhfuair sé sna turtóga
Chuas ina ainneoin ar a dhroim le fuinneamh

Alliliú puilliliu
Alliliú tá'n poc ar buile

Níor fhág sé carraig go raibh scot (scabhat) ann
Ná gur rith le fórsa chun mé a mhilleadh
Is ea ansin do chaith sé an léim ba mhó
Le fána mhór na Faille Brice

Alliliú puilliliu
Alliliú tá'n poc ar buile

Bhí garda mór i mBaile an Róistigh
Is bhailigh fórsaí chun sinn a chlipeadh
Do bhuail sé rop dá adhairc sa tóin air
Is dá bhríste nua do dhein (rinne) sé giobail

Alliliú puilliliu
Alliliú tá'n poc ar buile

I nDaingean Uí Chúis le haghaidh an tráthnóna
Bhí an sagart paróiste amach 'nár gcoinnibh
Is é dúirt gurbh é an diabhal ba dhóigh leis
A ghaibh an treo ar phocán buile

Alliliú puilliliu
Alliliú tá'n poc ar buile

1- roid[l]eogach - a thick growth of bog myrtle

2 - genitive of mong, which is a thick growth (of grash, brush, trees or even hair...)

Here's another version, from 1966 on German TV!
And here's the guy who made it famous, Seán Ó Sé.  Note the crowd singing along!

Kíla

There are many styles of Irish music, and certainly not all songs in the Irish language are traditional or even based on traditional songs.  Some groups do Country and Western (which is very popular in Conamara), some do covers of pop songs in translation, some do folk, etc.  One of the most innovative bands ever to sing in Irish is Kíla, from Dublin.    What does the name mean?  As it says in this article on pdf, from 2000:

"If you want to know what “Kíla” means, ask the seven members of the band. You’ll get a different answer every time. Now that the band has toured the world, they’ve found plenty of meanings for the humble little word. According to Kíla’s piper, Eoin Dillon, “In Indian it means a fort, or something like it; and in Scots Gaelic it’s a girl’s name which means something like ‘whose beauty can’t even be described by poets.’ ” Other meanings they claim for Kíla: in Finnish it means “wedge,” in Hindi “banana,” in Japanese “twinkle,” and in Czech it means “hernia.”

So they just made it up.

Their style of music is just as hard to pin down.  They are a unique kind of World Music.
Here are some descriptions from Wikipedia, in Irish and in English.  Most of their best stuff is from the late 90s, IMHO.  But they are still somewhat active, and Rónán Ó Snodaigh in particular has done a lot of great live concerts on Facebook this year.  His bodhrán style is very clever and pretty amazing to watch.

Among their many accomplishments, they were nominated for an Oscar for the music in the movie Song of the Sea (Amhrán na Mara) (2016).

Admittedly, they are not to everyone's taste.  I got to like them more and more over the years, although I admit I wasn't crazy about them when I first heard them back in the 90s.  Not your typical Irish band, for sure.  One of the best things about them is their clever Irish language lyrics, and that is what we will look a little bit at.  They tend to be very positive, upbeat, and encouraging - something we can all always use!  Rhythm is paramount in their music, and in the singing as well, which makes good use of repetition.  I've picked songs I particularly like, which I think are all on the CD Tóg go Bog É.  Is the Irish 100% perfect?  Maybe sometimes not, but who is?

Bí Ann / Leanfaidh Mé

Bí ann, bí liom
Bí gasta, bí cróga
Bí cliste, bí cinnte Bí casta, bí glic
Bí grámhar, gealgáireach
Bí socair laistigh
Bí doimhin ach bí éadrom
Gan teannas ar bith
I do chorp, i do chroí
I do cheann, ins a tslí
Ina chuireann tú tú fhéin i láthair
I pé chomhluadar ina bhfuil tú
Bí ann liom
Bí láidir il-dána
Nuair a chasann an domhan
Bí ann dom
Agus buailfimid le chéile
Nuair a thagann an t-am

Fiú má chothaítear fadhb

Leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh
Fiú má chothaítear fadhb
Leigheasófar é
Fiú má chothaítear fadhb
Leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh
Fiú má chothaítear fadhb
Ní deireadh an domhan é
Fiú má chothaítear fadhb
Leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh
Fiú má chothaítear fadhb

Leanfaidh mé...

Nó ní dhéanfaidh siad riamh cosc a chur ar mo bhróga
Nó ní dhéanfaidh siad riamh cosc a chur ar mo chosa
Nó ní dhéanfaidh siad riamh cosc a chur ar mo threo
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mé fós beo
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mo shaol le caitheamh agam
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mé fós beo
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil sé ar mo chumas agam
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mé fós beo
Leanfaidh mé
Mar gur b'shin an modh ab'fhearr a oireann dom
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mé fós beo
Leanfaidh mé
Le pé rud é atá le déanamh agam
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mé fós beo
Leanfaidh mé
Mar gur b'shin an treo a bhraithim ionam
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mé fós beo
Leanfaidh mé
Mar a leanann mo chroí ag buaileadh liom
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mé fós beo
Leanfaidh mé
Ar an luas a ritheann liom ag an am
Leanfaidh mé
Mar go bhfuil mé fós beo
Leanfaidh mé
Fiú más rud é nach mbíonn fhios mo shlí agam

Tá saol agam, tá súil agam
Tá rogha agam, tá rún agam
Tá bád agam, tá cuan agam
Tá tonn ar an trá
Tá scéal agam, tá siúl agam
Tá deis agam, tá duais agam
Tá cás agam, tá cúis agam
Tá fonn ar mo ghrá

Fiú má chothaítear fadhb...
Nó ní dhéanfaidh siad riamh cosc a chur ar mo anam

 Ón Taobh Tuathail Amach

Ná bí ag troid liom anois
Nó ní do namhaid mé;

Ná bí ag troid liom anois
Tuigfidh tú sa deireadh thiar thall nach do namhaid mé

Ó taobh tuathail amach
Níor mhaith liom troid arís
Ón taobh tuathail amach

Mar throid mé liom féin
Throid mé le Dé,
Throid mé le mo shaol
Agus throid mé léi
Throid mé le mo chéile,
Throid mé é'
Throid mé chomh minic sin gur chuir mé
eagla orm féin.

Na cuir ag troid mé arís
Ní chun mo leasa é
Ná cuir ag troid mé arís
Mar níl aon fhonn orm an t-anam atá agam
A chur amú I mo shaol.

Ó taobh tuathail amach
Níor mhaith liom troid arís
Ón taobh tuathail amach

Ó, in ainm Dé
Coinnigí an tsíocháin,
Déanfaidh muidne fás i ngach aon slí
Coinnigí an tsíocháin,
Tá dóthain le déanamh cheana féin;
Coinnigí an tsíocháin,
Tá athrú ar an domhan amuigh le déanaí
Coinnigí an tsíocháin
Sara nglacann muid an dara céim.

Ó taobh tuathail amach
Níor mhaith liom troid arís

(There's an English translation on this particular youtube, if you want to look at it).  An taobh tuathail amach, the wrong side out (inside-out), usually.

Tóg É Go Bog É 

Gafaithe in áit ina líonann an trácht a bhí mé
Gafaithe in áit ina chreidfeadh tú é
Gafaithe in áit ina rialaíonn an trácht a bhí mé
N'fheadar conas ach is cinnte go n-éalódh mé

Chun imeacht i dtreo na bóithre gan cosán le mo thaobh atá mé
Chun taisteal thiar 's thall arís ar bhrollach an domhain atá mé
Chun díriú i dtreo an dúchais ar tógadh mé atá mé
N'fheadar conas ach is cinnte go shroichfidh mé é

Gafaithe in áit a líonann an trácht atá mé
Gafaithe in áit a chreidfeadh tú é
Gafaithe in áit a rialaíonn an trácht a bhí mé
N'fheadar conas ach is cinnte go n-éalódh mé

Chun imeacht i dtreo na bóithre gan cosán le mo thaobh atá mé
Chun taisteal thiar 's thall arís ar bhrollach an domhain atá mé
Chun díriú i dtreo an dúchais ar tógadh mé atá mé
N'fheadar conas ach is cinnte go shroichfidh mé é

Slán agaibh
Slán agaibh uilig
Slán agaibh
Agus buailfidh mé libh arís ar ball
Slán agaibh
Slán agaibh uilig
Slán agaibh
Agus tiocfaidh mé ar ais arís ar ball

Ag fuascailt na sciatháin atá díomhaoin i mo cheann atá mé
Ag lorg radharc lena ritheann an tuiscint léi atá mé
Ag lorg sos agus síochán do mo chroí 's mo cheann atá mé
Is cuma conas ach go bhfaighfidh mé é

Tóg é go bog é
Glac é go réidh
Tóg é go bog é
Ná bí ag troid leat féin
Tóg é go bog é
Glac é go réidh
Tóg é go bog é
Tochaill go doimhin ionat féin
Tóg é go bog é
Glac é go réidh
Tóg é go bog é
Lig don solas teacht isteach i do shaol
Tóg é go bog é
Glac é go réidh
Tóg é go bog é
Tiocfaidh sé nuair a thagann sé

Ag lorg áit lena mbuaileann an fharraige leis an spéar atá mé
Ag lorg tobar na tinte óna lastar ár saol atá mé
Ag iarraidh fás agus forbairt a chothú ar an saol atá mé
Agus cúiseanna ceiliúradh a chur chunn cinn timpeall orm atá mé

Tóg é go bog é
Glac é go réidh
Tóg é go bog é
Ná bí ag troid leat féin
Tóg é go bog é
Glac é go réidh
Tóg é go bog é
Tochaill go doimhin ionat féin
Tóg é go bog é
Glac é go réidh
Tóg é go bog é
Lig don solas teacht isteach i do shaol
Tóg é go bog é
Glac é go réidh
Tóg é go bog é
Tiocfaidh sé nuair a thagann sé

And as a bonus, I was asked to include this one, which is also fun.  It has the lyrics and translation in the video:

Seo Mo Leaba

 I was fortunate to be able to see Kíla in Germany in 2015.  I even spoke a few words of Irish with them when they were doing their sound check, but they couldn't hear me very well from the stage.  Anyway, here are a few pictures I took at that time.

 

Slán le Pádraig Sáirséal

The backstory to Bonny Prince Charlie was the story of his father, James II (Jakobus in Latin, hence his followers being called Jacobites).  Trying to regain his throne after having been overthrown, and keep the restored Catholic faith in his kingdoms, of course he lost, and lost big, to William of Orange on July 12th 1690 at the Battle of the Boyne.  Orangmen (na fir bhuí) march in the north of Ireland to rub this in and insult the Catholic population every year (the Orange Order wasn't founded until 1795).  The Boyne was to Ireland what Culloden would later be to Scotland, although it took the siege of Limerick and the battle of Aughrim to finish them off.    The treaty of Limerick (which of course the English violated shortly afterwards by imposing the Penal Laws) led to the flight of the Wild Geese, led by Patrick Sarsfield.
This history from so long ago still resonates and that's why the songs of the time are still so popular.  This one is less well known.

This is a song about Sarsfield (Sáirséal) and the departure of the 14,000 or more under him, which was the destruction of all hope for Irish freedom for generations.  It was recorded by Na Casaidigh on their album 1691.

Slán le Pádraig Sáirséal
(chords on the right if you want them)

Notes:  Chuais = chuaigh tú
Gaeil bhocht(a)
Cnoc Bhin Éadair - Howth, NOT Cnoc Fhíodh na gCaor - Vinegar Hill, site of another major defeat in 1798!

The Limerick Treaty Stone

Óró 'Sé do Bheatha Abhaile

Tá dhá leagan den amhrán seo ann.  There are two versions of this song.  An bunleagan faoi Shearlas Óg, agus leagan Phádraig Mhic Phiarais.  The original version about Young Charles, and Patrick Pearse's version.

The original had to do with the Jacobite rebellion (1745) in support of "Bonny Prince Charlie" as rightful successor to the throne of the "United Kingdoms", the Stuart succession from his grandfather James II.  Why should the Irish care?  Because he was Catholic and wanted to restore the faith to the kingdoms (giving the oppressed Catholics in Ireland their freedom, property, and power back).  Charles was ultimately defeated at the battle of Culloden in Scotland (where Gaelic Scotland was murdered) and went on the run and into exile.  Other songs about him (and his flight) are The Sky Boat Song and Mo Ghile Mear.  So these are all 18th century songs.

Seo an bunleagan:
Séarlas Óg (from a wonderful CD which I highly recommend, by Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, A Stór is a Stóirín)

Seo Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin á channadh beo, ar an sean nós.  Here she is singing it live, in sean nós style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBPfoYByOpg

 

Note the loosey-goosey translation...

Patrick Pearce wanted to show that unlike in the 18th century, the Irish in the 20th century didn't want or need to rely on foreign powers to help them gain the independence.  So he rewrote it.

Pearse's version. 

This version is also called An Dord Féinne.  There's an excellent short article (Dord an Chéid, in Fonn an Phíobaire) about it by Lugh DePaor in An Gael, Earrach 2016.

Here's a traditional rendition of this more well known / popular version:

Darach Ó Catháin 

Loads and loads of famous people have recorded this song.  

Here are the Wolfe Tones doing it (on their only all Irish language record - which is great!)

Here are The Dubliners doing it.

Notes:

'Sé do bheatha a Mhuire - Hail Mary

chun an bhaile - to home, towards home

dob, do ba - Munster use of the do past particle.
leis na Gallaibh - aibh endings on plural nouns are the (not used much anymore) dative plural.
A bhuí le... - thanks (be) to...
go bhfeiceam, Mura mbeam - synthetic (attached ending) form of the verbs.  This is future  - Feicfimid, beimid. Original version nach bhfeicim, mura mbeinn - if I don't see, if I won't be (conditional).

Munster Irish

Peigín Leitir Mór

Seo dhá leagan an-éagsúil óna chéile den amhrán éadrom seo.
Here are 2 versions which are very different from each other, of this light song.

Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin

Seán Ó Riarda

Seo na líricí:
Here are the lyrics:
https://songsinirish.com/peigin-leitir-moir-lyrics/
(see grammar notes on Cóilín Phádraig Shéamais for a  "Pé'r bith fear a gheobhas í,
Nach air a bhéas an t-ádh.")  "Cibé fear" is how I know it.

Tabhair faoi deara:
Note:
Gairim thú! I acclaim you!  
Mo ghairm thú! Bravo!  

 

Cóilín Phádraig Shéamais

Ceol tíre nua-aimseartha an uair seo.
Modern folk music this time.

Amhrán imircigh le Pádraig Ó hAoláin.  Seo é.

Agus seo na líricí:

Tabhair faoi deara (ón gCaighdeán Oifigiúil):
11.7.4 An briAThAr – An fhoirm choibhneasta
(a) Tá foirm choibhneasta neamhspleách ar leith ar an mbriathar san aimsir láithreach, san aimsir
ghnáthláithreach agus san aimsir fháistineach. Is féidir an fhoirm sin a úsáid sa chlásal coibhneasta de
rogha ar na foirmeacha scartha den bhriathar, e.g., Sin é an chéad leabhar eile a bheas á léamh agam;
Céard a dhéanfas tú anois?
(b) Is í an fhoirm leithleach choibhneasta neamhspleách den bhriathar lean a úsáidtear i gcónaí in abairtí mar na focail seo a leanas.

Note (from the Christian Brothers):

Na Prátaí Dubha - The Black Potatoes

Starting with a not so famous song, but it is important culturally, both in style and content.

Seo doiciméad an-suimiúil a thaispeánann foinse an amhráin seo:
This is a very interesting document that shows the source of this song:

dúchas

Tá sé seo sa stíl traidisiúnta, ar a dtugtar 'sean nós' de ghnáth:

This is in the traditional singing style usually called sean nós (old style):

 Seo leagan bunúsach de na focail:

Here's a basic version of the words:

songsinirish 

Agus seo ceann níos faide, le haistriúchán go Béarla:

And here's a longer one, with English translation:

poethead

Seo Niolcás Tóibín á chanadh:

Here's (the famous and important singer) Nioclás Tóibín singing it:

Tóibín (Note that verses are left out, some are mixed together and some words are different in this performance).

Seo leagan eile de, le Dick Hogan:

Here's another version of it, by Dick Hogan:

Hogan (much closer to long written version - with verses from both!). Note random Ns before words starting with a vowel - not just him, seems to be a thing in singing styles.

 

Cén fáth an blag seo? Why this blog?

The title is a deliberate mix of dialect Irish.  Don't sing?  Why?!

Ar Scoil Ghaeilge Ghearóid Tóibín an samhradh seo, beidh ceardlann againn ag scrúdú amhrán na Gaeilge, agus roinnfear ábhar don cheardlann seo ar an mblag seo.  Má éiríonn go maith linn, is féidir go leanfar ar aghaidh le hamhráin eile ar an mblag amháin.

At The Gerry Tobin Irish Language School this summer, we will have a workshop studying Irish language songs, and material for this workshop will be shared on this blog.  If things go well for us, it is possible we might continue with other songs just on this blog.


Bíonn dhá insint ar scéal agus dhá leagan déag ar amhrán.