08 March 2021: O’Carolan

I have always had an interest in old music, so for this episode, I wanted to focus on a well-known Irish musician from the 1600s, Turlough O’Carolan.

Songs in this episode

  • An Innis Àigh: The Rankin Family
  • Beir Mo Dhúthracht: Séamus Begley & Stephen Cooney
  • Amhrán na Leabhar: Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich
  • Lord Inchiquin: Deiseal
  • Colonel John Irwin: Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman
  • Loftus Jones: Dordan
  • Carolan’s Farewell: Jordi Savall, Andrew Lawrence-King
  • Yr Hen Wyddeles: Meredydd Evans
  • We Built Fires: The Poozies
  • Sovay: Cristina Crawlay & Kerstein Blodig

Song translations

An Innis Àigh: Gàidhlig

Seinn an duan seo dhan Innis Àigh
An innis uaine as gile tràigh
Bidh sian air uairean a’ bagairt cruaidh ris
Ach se mo luaidh-sa bhith ann a’ tàmh
 
Càit’ as tràith an tig samhradh caomh
Càit’ as tràith an tig blàth air craobh
Càit’ as bòidhche ‘s an seinn an smeòrach
Air bhàrr nan ògan ‘s an Innis Àigh
 
An t-iasg as fiachaile dlùth don tràigh
Is ann ma chrìochan is miann leis tàmh
Bidh gillean easgaidh le dorgh is lìontan
Moch, moch ga iarriadh mun Innis Àigh
 
‘S ged thèid mi cuairt chun an taoibh ud thall
‘S mi ‘n dùil air uairibh gu fan mi ann
Tha tàladh uaigneach le teas nach fuairich
Gam tharraing buan don Innis Àigh
 
O ‘s geàrr an ùine gu’n teirig latha
Thig an oidhche ‘s gun iarr mi tàmh
Mo chadal buan-sa bidh e cho suaimhneach
Mo bhios mo chluasag ‘s an Innis Àigh

An Innis Àigh: English translation, The Happy Isle

Sing this song to the Happy Isle
The green isle of whitest sands
Though storms at times threaten severely
It is where I love to be
 
Where does summer come earlier?
Where do trees come into bloom sooner?
Where does the thrush sing more sweetly
On the tips of branches, than in the Happy Isle?
 
The most prized fish closest to land
Wishes to live about its shores
Lively youths hunt it early in the morning
With line and net, around the Happy Isle
 
And although I sometimes go to the mainland
And at times even think that I could stay there
A sad longing whose heat never cools
Always draws me back to the Happy Isle
 
It is only a short time until the close of day
Night will come and I will want for rest
My eternal sleep will be so peaceful
If I lay my head in the Happy Isle

Source: http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/macaskill/aninnis.htm

Beir Mo Dhúthracht: Gaeilge

Ó beir mo dhúthracht go dúthaigh Dhuibhneach
Sí tír mo rúin í atá dlúth dom chroí-se
Dúthaigh m’óige is fód mo shinsear
Mo ghrá go deo í is a glóire draíochtúil
 
Mo ghrá dá sléibhte is na néalta i n-airde
Barr Chnoc Bhréanainn is gur naofa a cháil sin
Binn Os Gaoith is na síonta á tnáthadh
Is Dún Con Roí thoir do cloíodh le Bláthnaid
 
Tabhair mo ghrá-sa do shráid an Daingin
Do Chuan Fionntrá is Cuan Aird na Caine
Do Chom an Áir is Gleann álainn Gealt thoir
Mo chumha go brách gan mé ar fán ina measc san
 
B’aoibhinn domh-sa go hóg nuair a bhíos ann
I mBaile an Ghóilín ar bhórd na taoid’ ann
Ag éisteacht ceolta um neoin sna coillte
Aige loin is smóilín, a gcór dob aoibhinn
 
Dá mbeinn-se ansúd thiar, is sughach a mhairfinn
Ar fhaithchí drúchta ag siúl gach maidin
Ag caint is comhrá le comharsain chneasta
Is luí fén bhfód ann fé dheoidh ina bhfara

Beir Mo Dhúthracht: English translation, Oh Carry My Earnest Love

Oh carry my earnest love to the region of Dovinia
It is the land of my secret desire, close to my heart
The region of my youth and the sod of my ancestors
She is my love forever, as is her magical glory
 
My love is for her hills with the stars above them
The top of Mount Brandon of holy repute
Beenoskee and the rough winds shaking it
And the Fort of Cú Roí defeated by Bláthnaid
 
Give my love to the streets of Dingle
To Ventry Harbor and Smerwick Harbor
To Com an Áir and beautiful Glannagalt in the east
My sorrow forever that I am not wandering amongst them
 
‘Twas wondrous for me when I was young there
In Burnham townland sailing the tide
Listening to music at noon in the woods
From blackbird and thrush, their choir was beautiful
 
If I were back there, ’tis happily I’d live
Walking each morning on dewy pastures
Talking and conversing with pleasant neighbors
And lying under the sod at last in their company

Source: http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/compilations/beir.htm

Amhrán na Leabhar: Gaeilge

Go Cuan Bhéil Inse casadh mé cois Góilín aoibhinn Dairbhre
Mar a seoltar flít na farraige thar sáile i gcéin.
I mPort Magaoi do stadas seal, fé thuairim intinn maitheasa
D’fhonn bheith sealad eatarthu mar mháistir léinn.
Is gearr gur chuala an eachtara ag cách mo léan!
Gur i mBord Eonaín do chailleadh theas an t-árthach tréan.
Do phreab mo chroí le hatuirse ‘dtaobh loinge an taoisigh chalma
Go mb’fhearrde an tír í ‘sheasamh seal do ráib an tséin.

Dá shiúlfainn Éire is Alba an Fhrainc, an Spáinn is Sasana,
Agus fós arís dá n-abrainn gach aird faoin ré,
Ní bhfaighinnse an oiread leabhartha b’fhearr eolas agus tairbhe
Ná is mó bhí chum mo mhaitheasa cé táid ar strae.
Mo chreach! mo chumha ina n-easnamh siúd, do fágadh mé!
Is mór an cúrsa marana agus cás liom é
Mallacht Dé is na hEaglaise ar an gcarraig ghránna mhallaithe,
A bháigh an long gan anaithe gan ghála, gan ghaoth.

Bhí mórán Éireann leabhartha, nár áiríos díbh im labhartha,
Leabhar na Laighneach beannaithe ba bhreátha faoin spéir.
An “Feirmeoir” álainn, gasta, deas, a chuireadh a shíol go blasta ceart,
Thug ruachnoic fraoigh is aitinn ghlais go gealbhánta féir.
Scoirim as mo labhartha cé chrádar mé,
Is ná cuirfeadsa aon ní ar fharraige, go brách lem ré;
Moladh le Rí an nAingeal ngeal, mo shláinte arís a chasadh orm,
Is an Fhoireann úd ón anaithe gan bá ‘theacht saor!

Amhrán na Leabhar: English Translation, Song of the Books

To the harbour of Valentia Island I happened to go, by the beautiful inlet of Dairbhre
Where the maritime goods are sailed overseas, far away
In Port Magee I stopped a while for the sake of education
To be amongst them for a while as a schoolmaster
Soon the event was heard of by all, alas
That the “Eonaín” was lost overboard, the mighty vessel
My heart throbbed with pain because the boat of that brave captain
It was better for the country had it waited a while to be under favourable auspices.

If only I could walk through Ireland and Scotland, France, Spain and England
And yet again if only I could tell evert corner of the earth
I could not alas retrieve the multitude of books, knowledge and usefulness
More than anything had shaped my belongings which went astray
Woe is me, my agony in that loss, I was abandoned
By that most cursed course over which I now grieve
May the curse of God and the Church be on those vile, deadly rocks
For drowning the boat without a storm, without a gale without a wind.

There was a vast number of Irish books which I didn’t mention in my speeches
Books of the blessed Leinstermen, the finest on this earth
The delightful, clever, fine husbandman properly sowed his seed with relish
He bestowed heather and green furze on rugged hills until the bright white hay
I put a stop to my words which afflicted me
And I shall send nothing by sea ever again as long as I live
Praise be to the bright King of the Angels, I regained my health
And from the storm yon crew, without drowning, safely returned.

Source: M. Máire Ní Shúilleabháin

Resources

01 Mar 2021: My Grandmother’s Songs

This week, I wanted to play some songs I learned from my grandmother, but I learned them in a roundabout way. My grandmother was the first woman to graduate with a performance Master’s Degree in Music from Claremont Graduate School in California, and by the time I came around, I knew her as a concert pianist and organ player.

After she died, I found a collection of handwritten music tucked inside her piano bench. I already had an interest in Irish traditional music, and I was amazed to find this stack of traditional songs. It turns out, my grandmother’s friend was from Ireland, and my grandmother had been arranging songs she knew so that she could play along. Some of the songs were fragments, and many years later, with the help of friends and the Internet, I have been able to find full versions of them. Those songs are featured in the middle segment of the show.

Songs in this episode

  • Buain A’Choirce: Sìleas
  • Thaney: Malinky
  • Cân Merthyr: Kizzy Crawford
  • Gartan Mother’s Lullaby: Áine Minogue
  • The Next Market Day: Mary O’Hara
  • The Verdant Braes of Screen: Hanz Araki with Finn MacGinty
  • The Singer: The Glasgow Phoenix Choir
  • Both Sides the Tweed: Mary Black
  • Chuaigh Mé ‘Na Rosann: Scartaglen
  • Craigiburn Wood: Tannahill Weavers
  • The Birkin Tree: Old Blind Dogs

Song translations

Buain A’Choirce: Gàidhlig

Latha dhomh ‘s mi buain a’choirce
Gheàrr mi beum ‘s cha robh e socair

Ho ro sna hoir ri ri o
Hi ri ri ri ho ro eile
Ho ro sna hoir ri ri o

Gheàrr mi beum ‘s cha robh e socair
Ghèarr mi mo ghlùn is leig mi osna

Shuidh mi air uachdair a’ghoirtein
Dh’fheuch am faicinn fear do choltais

Dh’fheuch am faicinn fear do choltais
Fear ‘chùil duinn ‘s nan gruaidhean dosrach

Fhaoilinn bhig a shnamhas an caolas
Beir mo shoraidh bhuam gu’m leannain

Buain A’Choirce: English translation, Reaping Oats

One day I was reaping oats
I made a cut which was not easy

Ho ro sna hoir ri ri o
Hi ri ri ri ho ro eile
Ho ro sna hoir ri ri o

I made a cut which was not easy
I cut my knee and let out a sigh

I sat at the top of the field
Trying to see someone like you

Trying to see someone like you
A brown-haired man with a fair face

Oh little seagull who swims the straights
Take my greeting to my love

Source: http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/sileas/buain.htm

Cân Merthyr: Cymraeg

Ye lads all thro’ the country,
Gwrandewch ar hyn o stori.
You better go dros ben y graig
Then go with gwraig i’r gwely.

My wife did send me waerad
Down to the River Deifad.
I told her I wouldn’t go,
She knock me with the lletwad.

My wife did send me i weithio
Without a bit of bacco;
She got plenty in the house
Ni chawn i ounce ohono.

My wife did go to dinner,
Cig moch a phalfais wether;
She eat the cig, give me the cawl,
A dyna’ i chi ddiawl o bardner.

Cân Merthyr: English translation, Martyr’s Song

Ye lads all through the country,
Listen to this story.
You’d be better going over the top of a cliff
Than going with the wife to bed.

My wife did send me away
Down to the River Deifad.
I told her I wouldn’t go,
She knocked me with a wooden soup ladle.

My wife sent me to work
Without a bit of tobacco.
She’s got plenty in the house –
I wasn’t allowed an ounce of it.

My wife did go to dinner,
Bacon and shoulder of lamb;
She ate the meat, gave me the soup.
Now there’s a devil of a partner.

Source: https://www.ionamusic.com/SigLyric.html

Chuaigh Mé ‘Na Rosann: Gaeilge

Chuaigh mé ‘na Rosann ar cuairt
Gur bhreathnaigh me uaim an speir
Is thart fá na holeain ó thuaidh
Mar eiht agus cu ‘na diaidh
Se dearfadh gach duine fan chuan
O tharla mé nuas fán cheidh
“Nach maith a aithnim ar do ghruaim
Gur fear thú ‘bhfuil an toir ‘na dhiaidh”
 
Casadh dom an ainnir dheas óg
Ach má casadh ‘si a labhair go géar
“Más fear thú a bhaineas do mhnaio óig
Cha mholaim ró-mhór do thrade
Chonaic mé fear ar thir mór
Is e ag siul gan bhróg inné
Is dóigh liom gur thusa an fear óg
Is go bhfuil ort an tóir ‘do dhaigh”
 
Thit muid a dtuirse is i mbrón
Is d’fhiafraigh mé den óigbhean chaoin
“Cá bhfuigheas muid gloine le h-ól
A thógfadh an brón dar gcroi?”
“Ta teach beag ar leath-taobh an ród
Is coinnionn sé i gcónaí braon
Gabh thusa, agus buail at an mbord
Is ní dhíolfaidh do phócaí a’n phingin”
 
Cha rabh mise i bhfad ag gabháil cheoil
Gur chruinnigh go leor ‘un toigh
Achan fhear is a ghloine ina dhom
Le comhmóradh a thabhairt don dis
Bhi biotáilte fairsing go leor
Cha rabh beagán á ól sa tir
Is dá dtarraingeoinnse gálun Uí Dhomhnaill
B’fhurst’ mo scor a dhrol
 
Tharla mé isteach i dtoigh-an-óil
Agus b’fhaiteach go lear mé le suí
Ar eagla go dtiochfadh an tóir
Is go mbainfi an óighean diom
Nuair a fuair muid gach ni mar ba chóir
Agus mheas me gur chóir dom sui
Sé duirt si “Bi thusa ag gabháil cheoil
Is ní dhíolfaidh do phócaí a’n phingin”
 
Nuair a lig muid dúinn tuirse le brón
Sé d’fhiafraigh an óigbhean diom
“Cá mbionn tú ‘do chónaí sa lá
Nuair nach gcoinnionn tú cró doit féin?”
“Bimse seal ‘dtoigh-an-óil
Cha deanaimse lón den phingin
An méid ud a shaothraim sa lá
A chaitheamh le spórt san oiche”

Chuaigh Mé ‘Na Rosann: English Translation, I Visited the Roses

I went on a visit to the roses
And looked towards the sky
And around the northern islands
Like a deer being followed by a dog
Everyone at the bay would say
On seeing me down by the quay
“I can see clearly by your sadness
That you are a man being chased”
 
I met a beautiful young woman
But she spoke sharply
“If you are a man who is engaged to a young woman
I do not praise your trade
I saw a man on the mainland
Walking without shoes yesterday
I think you are the young man
That you are being chased”
 
We became tired and sad
And I asked the gentle woman
“Where will we get a drink
That would lift the sadness from our hearts?”
“There is a little house by the road
And they always keep a drop
Go and knock on the table
And you will not pay a penny”
 
I wasn’t long making music
Before many came to the house
Everyman with a glass in his hand
To congratulate the couple
Spirits were widely available
There was much drinking
And if I pulled O’Donnell’s gallon
My score would easily be settled
 
I happened to go into the pub
And I was nervous to sit down
In case the chase would come
And the young woman would be taken from me
When we found everything was as it should be
And I thought I should sit down
She said, “Make music
And you will not pay a penny”
 
When we relieved our tiredness with sadness
The young woman asked me
“Where do you live during the day
When you do not have a house of your own?”
“I spend some time in the pub
I do not place importance on money
The amount I earn during the day
I spend on enjoyment at night”

Source: http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/clannad/chuaigh.htm

Resources

22 Feb 2021: That Irish Guy

This week, I’m pleased to welcome special guest, That Irish Guy, a musician from Omagh, Co Tyrone, who is living in the Pacific Northwest. His great-grandmother was Sarah Makem, the celebrated folk singer and song collector from Keady in Co Armagh. Her son, Tommy, was himself a famous folk singer in America, having gained the moniker “The Grandfather of Irish Folk” with the Clancy Brothers.

Join That Irish Guy on Facebook every Saturday at 7:30 pm Pacific for a livestream full of craic!

Website: https://www.thatirishguy.com/
Bandcamp: https://thatirishguy.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irishguyaz

Songs in this episode

  • In The Month of January: Sarah Makem
  • The Hills Above Drumquin: David Hammond
  • Four Green Fields: The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
  • Back to Ireland: That Irish Guy
  • The Liar: The Morrisseys
  • Isn’t It Grand, Boys: The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
  • The Bard of Armagh: Margaret Barry

Resources

15 Feb 2021: Chanteys

With the social media explosion over sea chanteys, I thought it would be fun to make this entire show about sea-themed songs!

Songs in this episode

  • The Wild Goose: Stuart Gillespie
  • Óro Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile: The Welcome Home Party
  • Farewell to Nova Scotia: Newfoundland Kitchen Party
  • Leaving of Liverpool: The Clancy Brothers
  • The Maid on the Shore: Solas
  • Gráinne: Dervish
  • William Taylor: Hanz Araki & Kathryn Claire
  • When I Was a Fair Maid: Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
  • Mingulay Boat Song: Paul Murray & David McKeown
  • Coast of High Barbary: The Kings Pond Shantymen
  • Canadee-I-O: Freshwater Trade

Song translations

Óro Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile: Gaeilge (Padraig Pearse version)

Óró, sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Óró, sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Óró, sé do bheatha ‘bhaile
Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh.

‘Sé do bheatha, a bhean ba léanmhar,
Do b’ é ár gcreach tú bheith i ngéibheann,
Do dhúiche bhreá i seilbh méirleach,
Is tú díolta leis na Gallaibh.

Tá Gráinne Mhaol ag teacht thar sáile,
Óglaigh armtha léi mar gharda,
Gaeil iad féin is ní Gaill ná Spáinnigh,
Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaibh.

A bhuí le Rí na bhFeart go bhfeiceam,
Mura mbeam beo ina dhiaidh ach seachtain,
Gráinne Mhaol agus míle gaiscíoch,
Ag fógairt fáin ar Ghallaibh.

Óro Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile: English translation, Oh-ro You Are Welcome Home

Oh-ro You are welcome home,
Oh-ro You are welcome home,
Oh-ro You are welcome home,
Now that summer’s coming!

Welcome lady who faced such troubles
Your capture brought us to our ruin
With our fine land usurped by thieves
And you sold to the foreigners!

Gráinne O’Malley comes over the sea,
With armed warriors as her guard
They’re Irishmen – not French nor Spanish
And they will rout the foreigners!

May it please dear God that we might see,
Even if we only live for week after,
Gráinne Mhaol and a thousand warriors –
Routing all the foreigners!

Resources

8 Feb 2021: The Magdalene Laundries

Because of the news that broke in Irish media and then around the world last week, I wanted to take a historical look at the Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries in Ireland and talk about the effect of those institutions on the Irish people. Links to relevant news articles are at the bottom of this post.

Songs in this episode

  • Free and Easy: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
  • Soraidh Bhuam Gu Barraidh: Capercallie
  • Ushag Veg Ruy: Emma Christian
  • I Am Stretched On Your Grave: Sinéad O’Connor
  • The Magdalene Laundries: The Chieftains with Joni Mitchell
  • War (Bob Marley): Sinéad O’Connor
  • The Well Below the Valley: Circled By Hounds
  • She’s Like the Swallow: Alan Mills
  • House Carpenter: Myrkur
  • Railroad Boy: Martin Sullivan
  • Bound For Caledonia: Colleen Raney & Colm MacCárthaigh

Song translations

Soraidh Bhuam Gu Barraidh: Gàidhlig

Soraidh bhuam gu Barraidh
Eilean’s maisich tha fo’n ghrein
Far an tric an robh mi sugradh
‘S le sunna a ruith na spreidh
Gur lionmhor lus tha fas fo’n druchd
Is deallt air uir as dheidh
A’ bheireadh slainte is muirneal dhuit
Air maduinn chubhraidh cheit

An am direadh ris a mhonadh
Measg a’ mhurain ‘be mo mhiann
Air feasgar fann’s an fhoghar
Nuair a chromadh air a ghrian
Gum beathaicheadh am faladh thu
Far luscan b’aille fiomh
An aiteag chubhraidh aluinn
Thig far bharr a’ chain an iar

An am eirigh anns an t’samhradh
‘Se bhith ann, bu mhor mo mhiann
Gach iasgair ‘s e le bhata
Dol gu aite a chuir na lion
Nuair a charadh iad siuil shlan rith
Air bharr nan tonnan liath
Bu bhriagha a bhi ga faicinn
Air a setadh dol dha’n iar

‘Se Barraidh an t-eilean ‘s boidhche
Ann cho mor ‘s gun d’chur mi uigh
Far an tric an do ghabh mi oran
Measg non oighean maiseach ciuin
‘S ged tha mi’n duigh air m’aineol
An Australia nan craobh
Cha di-chuimhuich mi a Ghaidhlig
Tha i sgriobhte ‘s a’ chlar aig m’aois

Soraidh Bhuam Gu Barraidh: English translation, My Blessings on Barra

My blessings on Barra
The most beautiful island under the sun
Where I often played
And happily herded the cattle
Plants abound beneath the dew
And the fine rain on the soil
On a May morning
Gives forth both good health and happiness

I wished for nothing better
Than to walk through the maram grass
To the moors
As the sun sank low on a still autumn evening
When the fragrance of the most beautiful plants
Would invigorate me
As would the gentle sea breezes
Coming from the Atlantic

In the summer
My only wish was to be there
As the fishermen in the boats
Went to lay the lines
What a joy it was to watch
The boats under full sail
On the crests of the white waves
As they headed on their westerly course

Barra is the most beautiful island
The island of my heart’s desire
When I often sang in the company
Of serene and beautiful young ladies
And although I’m alone today
In Australia of the trees
I’ll never forget the Gaelic language
Which is engraved on my mind

Source: http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/capercaillie/soraidh.htm

Ushag Veg Ruy: Gaelg

Ushag veg ruy ny moanee doo,
Ny moanee doo, ny moanee doo,
Ushag veg ruy ny moanee doo,
C’raad chaddil oo riyr ‘syn oie ?

Chaddil mish riyr er baare y dress,
Er baare y dress, er baare y dress,
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y dress!
As ugh ! my cadley cha treih !

Chaddil mish riyr er baare y crouw,
Er baare y crouw, er baare y crouw,
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y crouw,
As ugh! my cadley cha treih !

Chaddil mish riyr er baare y thooane,
Er baare y thooane, er baare y thooane,
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y thooane,
As ugh! my cadley cha treih !

Chaddil mish riyr eddyr daa guillag,
Eddyr daa guillag, eddyr daa guillag,
Chaddil mish riyr eddyr daa guillag,
Myr yinnagh yn oikan eddyr daa lhuishag,
As O ! my cadley cha kiune!

Ushag Veg Ruy: English translation, Little Red Bird

Little red bird of the black turf ground,
Of the black turf ground, of the black turf ground,
Little red bird of the black turf ground,
Where did you sleep last night ?

I slept last night on the top of the briar,
On the top of the briar, on the top of the briar,
I slept last night on the top of the briar,
And oh! what a wretched sleep !

I slept last night on the top of the bush,
On the top of the bush, on the top of the bush,
I slept last night on the top of the bush,
And oh! what a wretched sleep !

I slept last night on the ridge of the roof,
On the ridge of the roof, on the ridge of the roof,
I slept last night on the ridge of the roof,
And oh! what a wretched sleep !

I slept last night between two leaves,
Between two leaves, between two leaves,
I slept last night between two leaves,
As a babe ‘twixt two blankets quite at ease,
And oh ! what a peaceful sleep !

Source: http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/mb1896/p042.htm

Resources

1 Feb 2021: 1916

Hello and fáilte (welcome)! This blog is where I want to offer extra resources for those interested in the English translations of songs in Celtic languages and in learning more about the history segments of the show.

Songs in this episode

  • Casadh an tSúgáin: Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola
  • Feel So Near: Dougie MacLean
  • Tri Martolod: Biddy on the Bench
  • James Connolly: Ron Kavana
  • Freedom’s Sons: Tommy Makem
  • Who Fears to Speak of Easter Week: Brendan Behan
  • The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan: sung by Kathryn Rose
  • Roddy McCorley: The Dubliners
  • Peggy Gordon: Sinéad O’Connor
  • Benjamin Bowmaneer: Kate Rusby
  • The Parting Glass: sung by Kathryn Rose

Song translations

Casadh an tSúgáin: Gaeilge

Má bhíonn tú liom, bí liom os comhair lán an tí
Má bhíonn tú liom, bí liom go ló geal is oíche
Má bhíonn tú liom, bí liom gach orlach de do chroí
‘Sé mo léan le fonn, nach liom Dé Domhnaigh thú mar mhnaoi.

Dhá mbeadh spré ag an gcat nach deas mar a phógfaí a bhéal
Mura mbeadh nach fada ó bhaile a sheolfaí é
Tá iníon na caillí gioblaí casta pósta ó aréir
‘S tá mo chailín ag baile ‘s gan duine aici a phógfadh a béal.

S cén cat mara a chas in san áit seo mé?
Nach iomaí cailín a d’fhága mé i mo dhiaidh
Mar gheall ar throid ‘s ar bhruíon ‘s ar rud éicint nárbh fhíor
Muise, óinseach caillí, ‘s iníon aici a bhí gan chiall.

‘S chuirfinn, threabhfainn, ‘s chraithfinn an síol go domhain sa gcré
‘S sheolfainn na beithígh sna páirceanna ‘s airde a fhásann féar
Chuirfinn crú ar an each ba dheise ‘s ba lúfaire a shiúil riamh féar
Ach d’éalódh bean le fear nach ndéanfadh é sin féin.

Casadh an tSúgáin: English translation, the Twisting of the Rope

If you’re with me, be with me in front of all the people in the house
If you’re with me, be with me all day and all night
If you’re with me, be with me, truly in your heart
It is my great sadness that you are not mine on Sunday as my wife.

If the cat had a dowry how nicely his mouth would be kissed,
And if he didn’t, it is a long way from home he would be driven
The twisted wretched witch’s daughter is married since last night
And my girl is at home with no one to kiss her mouth.

And what misfortune that directed me to this place?
There is many a girl in the village that I left behind
Because of a fight and a quarrel and something that wasn’t even true
Musha, a silly hag and her daughter that had no sense.

I would plough and plant the seed deep into the soil
And I would drive the cows to the fields where the tallest grass grows
I would shoe a horse that was the nicest and fastest ever.
And a woman would elope with a man who wouldn’t even do that.

Tri Martolod: Brezhoneg

Tri martolod yaouank, tra la, la, la, la, la, la
Tri martolod yaouank o voned da veajiñ
O voned da veajiñ ge, o voned da veajiñ

Gant avel bet kaset, tra la, la, la, la, la, la
Gant avel bet kaset betek an Douar Nevez
Betek an Douar Nevez ge, betek an Douar Nevez

E-kichen Maen ar Veilh, tra la, la, la, la, la, la
E-kichen Maen ar Veilh o deus mouilhet o eorioù
O deus mouilhet o eorioù ge, o deus mouilhet o eorioù

Hag e-barzh ar veilh-se, tra la, la, la, la, la, la
Hag e-barzh ar veilh-se e oa ur servijourez
E oa ur servijourez ge, e oa ur servijourez

Hag e c’houlenn ganin, tra la, la, la, la, la, la
Hag e c’houlenn ganin pelec’h ‘n eus graet konesañs
Pelec’h ‘n eus graet konesañs ge, pelec’h ‘n eus graet konesañs

E Naoned, er marc’had, tra la, la, la, la, la, la
E Naoned, er marc’had hor boa choazet ur walenn

Tri Martolod: English translation, The Three Sailors

Three young sailors… la la la…
Three young sailors went traveling
Went traveling! Went traveling

And the wind pushed them… la la la…
The wind pushed them to Newfoundland
All the way to Newfoundland! All the way to Newfoundland

Next to the windmill stone… la la la…
Next to the windmill stone, they dropped anchor
They dropped anchor! They dropped anchor

And in that windmill… la la la…
And in that windmill was a servant girl
There was a servant girl! There was a servant girl

And she asked me… la la la…
And she asked me where we met
Where have we met before? Where have we met before

In Nantes at the market… la la la…
In Nantes at the market, we chose a ring

Resources

Welcome! Fáilte!

Hello! My name is Kathryn Rose, and I’m thrilled to be a part of KOCF Fern Ridge Community Radio at 92.7 FM! You can find out more about KOCF’s programs on their website.

A little background — I have been learning Irish and Scottish music for most of my life. I was inspired to start researching the music more seriously when my grandmother passed away and I found handwritten Irish songs in her piano bench. In 2018, I learned that an Irish pub was opening up near where I lived, and this gave me the opportunity to connect with other people who love Celtic music.

I have a passion for history and authenticity. As someone who grew up in Oregon and has never been to Ireland, Scotland, or any of the Celtic nations, I try to stay in dialogue with people who are native to those cultures so that what I bring to this show is connected to the places it came from.

As well as playing recorded music, both from local musicians and from across the sea, I plan to play my own versions of songs and also include history segments and artist spotlights. I also hope to provide resources for people who are interesting in learning more about the music, languages, and cultures from native sources.

Until next time,

Kathryn Rose

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