The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #159936 Message #3796473
Posted By: keberoxu
18-Jun-16 - 05:26 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: An Draighnean Donn
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: An Droighnean Donn
Verses 1 and 2, in the original Irish/Gaelic and in English translation (this latter uncredited, but I suspect Douglas Hyde wrote this English), are given in preceding posts on this thread.
This sean-nós has multiple versions, and there are verses in common as well as verses that crop up differently in different variations of the song. Additional versions of "An Droighneán Donn" are welcome to this thread; in this next one or two posts, my object will be to complete both the Gaelic and the translation for the lyric whose first two verses precede this post.
To confirm: there are two sources for this particular "An Droighneán Donn" lyric. They are,
"Cláirseach na nGaedheal" part I, editors Breandán Mac Ruaidhri and Seósamh Laoide, published by the Gaelic League in 1902 (no page number, sorry)
"Amhráin Mhuighe Seóla. Traditional Folk-Songs from Galway and Mayo," editor Mrs. Eileen Costello a/k/a Eibhlín Bean Mhic Choisdealbha, reprinted by Cló Iar-Chonnachta in 1990. Page 72
Verse 3, Gaelic original
Cuirim féin mo mhíle slán leat a Baile na gcrann
'Sgach baile eile dá mbíodh mo thriall ann
Is iomda bealach fliuch salach agus bóithrín cam
'Tá idir mé 'gus an baile 'na bhfuil mo stóirín ann
Verse 3, English translation
I give my thousand farewells to you, village of the trees
And every other village where my footsteps used to be
It's many a damp dirty road and crooked little way
Lie between me and the village where my little treasure is
Verse 4, Gaelic original
Tabhair do mhallacht do t'athair 's dod 'mháthairín féin
Nár thug beagán tuigsiona dhuit mo lámh do léigheamh
Is moch ar maidin chuirfinn chugat-sa brígh mo sgéil
Bíodh mo bheannacht agat go gcastar ort i n-uaignease mé
Verse 4, English translation
My curse upon your father and your little mother too,
That they didn't give you a little sense to read my hand
It's early in the morning I'd send you the meaning of my story
My blessing be with you till I meet you alone