The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #3993   Message #114919
Posted By: Philippa
17-Sep-99 - 11:06 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: In Garran Na Bhile (from Wolfe Tones)
Subject: Lyr Add: CÁIT I NGARRÁN A' BHILE
(I know at least the chorus below is the same as sung by the Wolfe Tones; they don't only sing rebel songs!)

CÁIT I NGARRÁN A' BHILE

CHORUS: An raibh tú riamh i nGarrán a' Bhile?
Nó an bhfaca tú í ' nGarrán a' Bhile?
An tsuairc-bhean óg na gcuacha óir?
'S í Cáit mo stór i nGarrán a' Bhile

Is gille í ná eal' ar linn,
'S ná sneacht' ar bharr na craoibhe cruinne;
'S is milse 'póg ná drúcht na rós
'S i Cáit mo stór i nGarrán a' Bhile

Is binn' a ceol ná lon 's na smól,
'S na filimeol ar chraobh na saile
Mar long faoi sheol ar thoinn gan cheo.
Sea tcím mo stór i nGarrán a' Bhile.

Chugatsa, 'Chriost, le fonn mo ghuí,
Má á aon bhrí i í an fhile,
Gan áin, gan íos, gan phráinn, gan díth,
Go raibh áit 's a buíon i nGarrán a' Bhile.

Rough translation from the Irish Gaelic:
Chorus (repeated after each verse) - Were you ever in Garrán a' Bhile and did you see my beautiful Cáit?

She's brighter than the swan on the pool or the snow on the trees. Her kisses are sweeter than the dew on the rose. Cáit my darling in Garrán a' Bhile.

Her music is more melodious than the blackbird or the thrush, or the nightingale perched on the willow branch, Like a boat under sail over waves without mist, I see my love in Garrán a' Bhile.

This is my prayer to Christ, if there's any strength in the prayer of a poet; May Cáit and her people in Garrán a' Bhile be without tax or rent, without need

Lyrics and tune are published in Mícheál Ó hEidhin, editor. 'Cas Amhrán'. Indreabhán: Cló Chois Fharraige, 1975 (see Cló Iar-Chonnachta)