Verses

'Siul a Rún'


Siúl, siúl, siúl, a rún, Siúl go socair agus siúl go cúin, Siúl go dti an doras agus ailig liom. Is go dteighigh tú a bhoirnín, slán.

I would I were on yonder hill. T'is there I'd sit and cry my fill, and every tear would turn a mill. Is go dteighigh tú a bhoirnín, slán.

I'll sell my rack. I'll sell my reel. I'll sell my only spinning wheel. To buy for my love a sword of steel. Is go dteighigh tú a bhoirnín, slán.

I'll dye my petticoats. I'll dye them red, and around the world, I'll beg my bread. Until my parents shall wish me dead. Is go dteighigh tú a bhoirnín, slán.

I wish. I wish. I wish in vain. I wish I had my heart again. And vainly think I'd not complain. Is go dteighigh tú a bhoirnín, slán.

But now my love has gone to France, to try his fortunes to advance. If e'er he come back, t'is but a chance. Is go dteighigh tú a bhoirnín, slán.

---(a young women urges her boyfriend to desert the army...'walk away my love, walk quietly, get up and go away with me...')


'Níl Sé Ina Lá'


Níl sé ina lá, níl a grá. Níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go maidin,
Níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go fóill, solas ard atá sa ghealaigh.

Chuaigh mé isteach i dteach aréir, is d'iarr mé cairde ar mhnaoi an leanna.
is é dúirt sí liom "Ní bhfaighidh tú deor. Buail an bóthar is gabh abhaile."

Chuir mé féin mo lámh i mo phóca, is d'iarr m«briseadh scillinge uirthi.
Is é dúirt sí liom "Suigh síos ag bord, is bí ag ól anseo go maidin."

"éirigh i do shuí, a fhear an tí, cuir ort do bhrístí is do hata.
Go gcoinne tú ceol leis an duine cóir, a bheas ag ól anseo go maidin."

Nach mise feín an fear gan chéill, a d'fhag mo chíos in mo scornaigh?
D'fhág mé léan orm féin, is d'fhág mé séan ar dhaoine eile.

---(the Irish version of the 'Wild Rover' in which a man is tricked into spending all night in a pub while spending the rent money...)