The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #10313   Message #141005
Posted By: Philippa
26-Nov-99 - 02:42 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Clun Malla (Cluain Meala, field of honey)
Subject: Príosún Chluain Meala
Callanan did a better translation job on Príosún Chluain Meala. There is another version of the song published in Maighréad Ní Annagáin and Séamus de Chlanndiolúin, "Londubh an Chairn" and An Roinn Oideachais (Dept of Education) "Cuisle an Cheoil" (Dublin, 1976) with the following verse about being the gentlest lad in the village:
O do bhí mé im' bhuachaill chomh stuama's 'bhí sa bhaile,
Dhéanfainn súgradh nó gáire nó pléaráca ar faiche,
Do bhualifinn poc báire chomh hard leis na fearaibh,
Is a dhaoine na n-árann, nach cás libh mo mhealladh

This version makes no mention of the Buachaillí Bána. Instead it suggests that the singer had enlisted in the British army and deserted. The above verse is the last of three.The first verse goes:

Ar maidin Lae 'le Pádraig, is mé ag fágail an bhaile,
Is mé ag dul go hArd Pádraig 'cur lásaí lem hata,
Bhí Briainín 'us Máirín á shíorá liomsa casadh,
Agus mé go socair sásta ' bhfochair sáirsint ag ól leanna.

The second verse is very similar to the version published in O Baoill, in O'Sullivan and in Abair Amhrán which I contributed to this thread earlier:

Tá mo shrian is mo dhiallait ar iasacht as baile,
Is mo chapall ag fiach aige buachaillí an airm,
Tá mo chamán ag fiaradh is ag liathadh faoi mo leaba,
Agus mé go dubhach diachrach i bpríosún Chluain Meala.