The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #45577   Message #676524
Posted By: GUEST,Philippa
26-Mar-02 - 09:11 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: dolores keane's moll dubh
Subject: Lyr Add: MALL DUBH AN GHLEANNA
the lyrics above look similar to the version that Altan (singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh) does. Here is a different song with the same name. I believe it's on an old Gael-Linn record of Aodh Ó Duibheannaigh. These lyrics are from the book "Amhráin Hiúdaí Fheilimí agus Laoithe Fiannaíochta as Rann na Feirste", compiled by Pádraig Ó Baoighill and Mánus Ó Baoill and published last year by Preas Uladh, Muineachán (Monaghan). Hiúdaí Fheilimí (Aodh) Mac Grianna of Rann na Feirste, County Donegal, was a brother of the well-known authors Séamas and Seosamh and the songwriter Seán Bán Mac Grianna. The book is a compilation of Hiúdaí's contributions to the Irish Folklore Commission in the 1930s. Múnus Ó Baoill says he got the tune from another publication, "Amhráin Chúúige Uladh".

MALL DUBH AN GHLEANNA

Cé h-é sin amuigh ag fuinneogaí mo thigh
Ag síor-chur mo chodlata in iúl domh?
Mise Mall Dubh an Ghleanna, an ligfeá mé isteach
Nó go ndéanfaimis tamall súgartha?
A chroí is a chuid caidé dhéanfainnse duit
Muna gcuirfinn ort beannóg mo ghúna?
'S go mbeidh an púdar dubh a scaoileadh linn go tiubh
'S go mb'fhéidir go ndéanfadh sé ár bplúchadh.

Tá ba agam ar an tsliabh is níl duine ar bith ina ndiaidh,
Is tá mé mo chriathrú leofa,
Dhá seoladh soir is siar gach áit a bíonn a dtriall
Is a n-aghaidh ar an bhaile tráthnóna.
Folamh í liom féin, feasta ní bheinn
Ach Mall Dubh a bheith i dtús a h-óige,
Ach nuair a chríonas an t-slat ní bhíonn uirthi tlacht
Mar bhíos ar na crannaibh óga.

Who is that at my window?
Black Mall of the Glen, won't you let me in to play/court ...