Info Req: An Binsin Luachra

Subject: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Áine
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 01:07 PM

Can anyone provide some background information on An Binsín Luachra? Below are the lyrics I have; if you see any mistakes, please let me know.

Buíochas, Áine

Bhíos-sa maidin Shamhraidh ag góilt síos trí Chontae an Chláir,
Agus éanlaith coille ag labhairt liom ar an gcrann is iad ag siúinseáil,
Sea do casadh liomsa an ansacht ba bhreátha is ba dheise snua,
'Gus thugas searc is greann di, 'dtaobh 'amhrais 'sí bláth na n-úll.

Maidin aoibhinn uaibhreach ar bhruach na coille glaise breá,
Is mo ghadhair le m'ais ag gluaiseacht go huasal is mo ghunna im' láimh,
'Sea do dhearcas chughamsa stuairín na gruaige finne 's an bhrollaigh bháin,
Agus ábhar ' bhinse buainte aici den luachair ba ghlaise fás.

'S do dh'fhéachas ar na cuanta agus bhí ann uaigneas agam ar nóin,
Is do dhruideas suas lem' stuairín agus fuaireas uaithi cúpla póg,
Ach 'sé dúirt sí liom go huaibhreach 'Fan suanmhar is ná cuir orm stró,
'Gus ná scaip mo bhinse luachra t'r éis a bhfuaireas dá thrioblóid'.

Is a chailín bhig na luachra, dá leagfása do bheart ar lár,
Ar bhruach na coille craobhaí nó ag éisteacht le fuaim na trá,
Mar na sagairt ní bhfaighidh scéal' air ná éinne eile dá bhfuil san áit,
Nó go dtiocfaidh an chaint don chéirseach 's go n-iompóidh an lon dubh bán.

Ó cailín deas ab fhearr liom a bheith ar láimh liom thar a bhfeacaíos riamh,
'Gus dá bpósfainn cailleach ghránna mo lánchreach ná mairfinn bliain,
Ach phósfainn thusa, a ghrá ghil, a chúil fáinneach na dtrioplaí siar,
Is do bhainfinnse binse breá duit chomh hálainn is a chonaic tú ariamh.

Is a chailín bhig na luachra glac suaimhneas agus fan go réidh,
Mar ní cás duit a bheith chomh buartha in uaigneas is tú leat féin,
Mar má scaip mé do chuid luachra nach dual go bhfuil mórchuid tar a éis,
Agus bainfeadsa binse mór duit agus ualach mar thuilleadh léi.

Is ba dheas an cailín seomra í um thráthnóna is a bruis 'na láimh,
Is cár dheise ná crú na mbó í 'sí smóilín í an bhrollaigh bháin,
Do tharraingeodh samplaí coróinneach go róbhreá ar éadach cláir,
'Sí searc mo chroí 's mo rún í 'sí mo stuairín í go bhfaighidh mé bás.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Margaret V
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 09:30 PM

Aine, all I can add are the notes made by Seamus Ennis and Alan Lomax for the recording Lomax made of Maire O'Sullivan (Ballylicky, Cork) singing the song: "A young man meets a beautiful girl gathering rushes, which country folk once used for beds. He seduces her with fine promises. She gives him "her little bench of rushes," a kindness she soon regrets. Many Gaelic singers know and love this song..." The recording appears on the Ireland Vol. II CD of the "World Library of Folk and Primitive Music," compiled and edited by Alan Lomax (Rounder CD 1742). Margaret

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Áine
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 11:52 AM

Thank you so much, Margaret.

I'm still wondering where the song came from and/or in what part of Ireland it is mostly known. Do you know if it's been recorded recently?

Thanks again, Áine

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 01:09 PM

An Binsin Luachra is included in a review here, didn't look for a date.

It will be included in the St. Patrick's Day concert by the Southwest Florida Syphony in March sung by the Cassidys. That info is here.

Here are the Google hits for it.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Brían
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 02:33 PM

In Amhráin Clainne Ghaeidhl, it mentions that this is a very old song with versions found in both Connacht and Munster. I think there is more information in Tomás Connáin's book, Irish Traditional Music(?), but I can't find my copy.

Brían

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 02:55 PM

Aine, I have a recording of An binsin luachra from a broadcast on Radio Eireann about twenty years ago, this recording from an archieve programme is a lovely rendering by Martin Dempsey. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 03:53 PM

Brían, the reference by Tomás Ó Canainn is only very brief, stating that in Bunting's second (1809) volume of Ancient Irish Music that the tune [and words?] appear for 'An Binsín Luachra' among others which are still current.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 04:10 PM

There are a number of archive recordings of An Binsin Luachra available online at  RTÉ Radio Ceolnet;  they can be found through their onsite search engine.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Áine
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 10:17 AM

Go raibh míle maith agaibh, a chairde!

Buíochas, Áine

P.S. Ard Mhacha, could you please email me at [e-mail] ? I have question for ya. ;-)

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Brían
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 09:40 AM

I notice that Seamus Ennis used the ususal melody for this song for his rendering of THE BONNY BUNCH OF ROSES-O on the album by the same name. I can't help but think that there is some connection between THE BONNY BUNCH OF ROSES and this song, which tiltle translates to a little bunch of rushes

Brían

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 09:58 AM

A song called The Bunch of Rushes appeared on 19th century broadsides, and tells much the same story; likely it was based on the older song. A number of broadside editions of The Bonny Bunch of Roses O (some crediting a George Brown as writer) specify The Bunch of Rushes tune, so there certainly is a connection.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Brían
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 10:40 AM

Thank you Malcolm.

Brían

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: GUEST,The Burren Ranger
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 01:06 PM

The great Irish traditional singer SEan Garvey (who has recently released his album , The Bonny Bunch of Roses) has established there is indeed a link between the aforementioned song and tThe Bony Bunch of Rushes (An Binsin Luachra).
TBR

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Brían
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 03:14 PM

Burren Ranger,

can you tell us more about what Sean Garvey has to say about this?

Brían

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 09:38 AM

I KNOW THAT THE GIRL THAT OWNS THE SHOP AN BINSIN LUACHRA IN MARKET ST ENNIS DID A RECORDING OF THE SONG WITH THE DIASART TOLA CEILI BAND ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO.WORTH LOOKING UP.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: GUEST,franc 91
Date: 05 Jul 13 - 11:09 AM

An Binsin Luachra (with a fada on the second 'i' in binsin) does mean 'The Little Bench of Rushes' - and not a bunch, but in fact, as is hinted at by Margaret V above, it really means a bed or mattress for lying down on.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 06 Jul 13 - 08:19 AM

"'The Little Bench of Rushes' - and not a bunch"

An Beinnsin Luachra - The Little Bunch of Rushes

As I roved out one morning
Down by a clear river side,
With dogs and gun commanding
In decent and becoming pride,
I spied a lovely creature
Whose fair locks I chanced to view,
With a bunch of rushes making,
As pleasing as ever grew.

I looked about most careful,
The place being free and clear,
I used some kind endeavours
With this fair maid I loved so dear.
She said, " Kind sir, be easy,
I am a maid, you needs must know,
These rushes cost some labour,
So spare them and let me go."

I said, " My charming creature,
Be pleasing to me and kind,
This moment is the season
That engages my tender mind.
These rushes cost some labour,
'Tis plain that the like do grow;
Then grant me your kind favour,
Embrace me and ease my woe."

I gently did embrace her,
In my arms I did her entwine:
" If your parents they are pleased now,
In wedlock's bands we will join.
My heart you've captivated
On this place where the rushes grow,
And for ever I'll embrace you,
And your bonny bincheen luachara O!"
TRADITIONAL

On a delightful gay morning By the fringe of the wood of greenest blossom, My little dog was walking with me Proudly, and my gun was in my hand, When I met a graceful girl, Red-haired, radiant, most beautiful and fair, Clasping a bundle Of rushes of finest blossom.

I gazed on the landscape, And we were in solitude at noon, I approached the maid And stole from her a couple of kisses. She said to me haughtily, " Leave me alone and do not dally with me, And do not scatter my bundle of rushes That I gathered with such trouble."

" O little girl of the rushes, Will you leave your bundle down ? And will you come with me in solitude To the fringe of the wood of greenest blossom? The priests will not hear of it, Nor anyone at all, Till talk comes to the song-thrush And speech to the handsome blackbird."

" O little girl of the rushes, Be tranquil and stay quiet; There is no need for you to be haughty In solitude, all alone. If I have scattered your rushes, It is natural that there are more of them; I shall gather a great bundle for you, And a load of them for good measure(?)."

This is one of the best-known of Irish Gaelic songs, and numerous versions exist of both words and air. The beautiful tune here given may well be thought to be worthy of a better theme; at the same time, the excellent assonance of the original makes the poem a melodious one.
The girl was presumably gathering rushes for thatch or for carpet-making, but her bundle has the same symbolical meaning as thyme in English folk song, such as the familiar verse in "The Seeds of Love":

I once had a sprig of thyme,
It prospered night and day,
By chance there came a false young man
And he stole my thyme away.

A popular Irish song was sometimes given an English dress and issued as a broadsheet; and in this case I give the broadsheet version in place of a strict metrical translation of the original. The humble and unknown translators of such pieces knew Irish well, but their knowledge of English prosody was far to seek; and so, probably quite unconsciously, they imitated the assonance of their originals. To realise this to the full, one must bear in mind that the pronunciation is that of the Irish countryside—"daycent" for "decent", "crayture" for "creature", "plaising" for "pleasing", "aisy" for "easy", and so on. The internal assonance then becomes obvious. To take the third verse as an example:

I said, 'My charming crayture,
Be plaz'sing to me and kind,
This moment is the sayson
That engages my tender mind.
These rushes cost some labour,
'Tis plarn that the like do grow ;
Then grant me your kind favour,
Embrace me and ayse my woe'.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 07 Jul 13 - 06:50 AM

Hi Áine - A paper using An Binsín Luachra as an example was given here -

http://www.nafco2012.com/?page_id=718

- but it doesn't say by whom; a little email may help you, and you could follow up with the person who made the presentation.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: GUEST,franc 91
Date: 17 Aug 15 - 01:24 PM

This is one of the songs to be found in the book and CD 'Tidil Eidil Ero - Amhranaiocht Thraidisiunta don Aos Og' published by Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Co. Chiarrai

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 08:59 PM

For what it's worth, another translation.

T H E   L I T T L E   B E N C H   O F   R U S H E S

One day I journeyed lonely
Along the road to milk-white Clare,
My dog beside me only,
My gun in hand, and free from care;
When, lo! I met a maiden
Of bright and golden shining hair --
With greenest rushes laden,
To make a bench -- this fairest fair!

"O, girl of greenest rushes,
This burden suits you not too well --
I fain would spare your blushes,
But come with me to yonder dell;
The priests will never know it,
Until the songful, soulful thrush
Speak Gaelic as a poet,
The blackbird from the greenwood bush.

"My darling girl, my own dear,
Don't pout, but lay your rushes by,
You know you are here alone, dear,
And have no friend to help you nigh.
I've tossed your rushes rather,
But more remain uncut behind --
And I'll hie off, and gather
For you a larger bench, you'll find."


author: James Clarence Mangan
date: 1849 (the year he died)
p. 171,
Volume 4, Poems
The Collected Works of James Clarence Mangan
Irish Academic Press: 1999

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: keberoxu
Date: 23 Jul 16 - 03:19 PM

A cassette tape album published by Clo Iar Chonnachta includes this song. The sean-nós singer is Seán de hÓra, and the name of the album is Ó Chorca Dhuibhne. If I can listen to a copy, I will report back to this thread.

Subject: RE: Info Req: An Binsin Luachra
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jul 16 - 12:58 AM

This is more or less what de hOra sings, with some changes in words.

Do bhíos maidean drúchta go huaigneach agus mé ag siúl na trá,
Mo ghadhair a bhí go huasal ag gluaiseacht is mo ghunna im láimh,
'sea do dhearcas chugam an stuabhean ba dheirge grua, is í ba mhílse bláth,
Is do bhí ábhar binsín bainte aici den luachair ba ghlaise fás.

Is a chailín bhig na luachra, an ligfeása do bheart ar lár,
Ar bhruach na coille craobhaí, sinn ag éisteacht le guth an choileáin,
Is sagart ní bhfaighidh scéal air ná aon duine eile go bhfaigheadsa bás,
Nó go dtiocfaidh an chaint don gcéirsigh, is nuair a dh'iompóidh an lon dubh bán.

Is a chailín bhig na luachra, glac suaimhneas agus fan go réidh,
Mar ní call duit a bheith chomh buartha in uaigneas is tú ansúd leat féin,
Mar b'fhearr liomsa a bheith ag baint na luachra is dá hiompar go lá mo bháis,
Ná do leanbh do bheith ar mo ghualainn id chuardach is gan tú le fáil.