Just thought I'd post this for the sheer heck of it...this version is sung by the group Capercaillie (though I've heard that Clannad's done this too...) I have the longer version, but I refuse to type that here! If you want it, post a note to that effect, or e-mail me at cleod@netasia.net.

Chuaigh mé ‘na Rosann ar cuairt
Gur bhreathnaigh mé uaim an spéir
Is thart fá na h-oileán ó thuaidh
Mar eilit agus cú ‘na diaidh

Casadh dom a’ cailín deas óg
Ach ma casadh ‘sí a labhair go géar
Má’s fear thú a bhain do mhnaoi óig
Cha mholaim rómhór do thrade (cheird)

Chonnaic mé fear ar thír mór
‘S é ag siúl gan bhróg inné
Is dóigh liom gur thusa ‘n fear óg
‘S go bhfuil ort an tóir ‘do dhiaidh

Thit muid i dtuirse ‘s i mbrón
Is d’fhiafraigh an óig-bhean díom
Cá bhfuigheas muid gloine le h-ól
A thógfas an brón d’ár gcroí?

Nuiar a lig muid dúinn tuirse is brón
Sé d’fhiafraigh an óig-bhean díom
Cá mbíonn tú ‘do chónaí sa lá
Nuair nach gcoinníonn tú cró duit féin?

Bím-se seal ‘dtoigh an óil
Cha deánaim-se lón don phingin
A’ meid údaidh a shaothraím sa lá
A chathamh le spórt san oích’

Má’s fear thú a leanas don ól
Cha mholaim rómhór do thrade
Nó chan iarrfainn ar dhuine de do sheort-sa
Toiseacht le buaidhreadh an tsaoil

English translation:

I went to visit the Rosses
The sky was all I could find
Chased was I round by the islands
Like a doe with a hound behind

I met with a charming young lady
But she was the one who spoke plain
If you’re tied to another young woman
I don’t have respect for your trade

I saw a man yesterday on the mainland
He was walking without any shoes
I think that you must be that young man
And that you are a man being pursued

We fell into sadness and weariness
And the young girl to me she did say
Where can we det some good drink here
That will all our grief take away?

When we’re rid of sadness and weariness
The young girl had a thought in her mind
Where do you live all the daytime
Since you haven’t a house of your own?

I spend much of the day in the tavern
And none of my money goes far
All that I earn in the space of a day
At night spend on sport at the bar

If you are a man fit for drinking
I do not have respect for your trade
And I would not ask one of your likeness
To take on such wordly cares

In case you're wondering how I got this, the libraries in the Philippines actually have books that date back to the American occupation, lots of Gaelic folksong compilations here...need help? Wait till I get my library card renewed...

Erin go bragh! cleod

line breaks added by mudelf '-)