Lyr Req: A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O

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Lyr Req: A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O

19 May 01 - 03:50 AM (#466111)
Subject: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: Sabine

Hi :o)

I was asked for an English translation of this song maybe sung by Ann Mulqueen. But my Gaelic is not that good :o(

Can anyone help me?

Kind regards

Sabine

19 May 01 - 06:26 PM (#466439)
Subject: Lyr Add: A CHUMARAIGH AOIBHINN Ó
From: GUEST,Philippa

Here is the Irish and a summary in English:

A CHUMARAIGH AOIBHINN Ó

Maurus Ó Faoláin (1853-1931)

Beir beannacht óm chroí dod thír is dod' shléibhibh
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
'S dod' mhuintir shuairc ar dual dóibh féile
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
Do shrutháin gheala 's do choilte craobhach,
Do ghleannta meala 's do bhánta léire,
Ó grá mo chroí iad súd le chéile
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó

Is fairsing fial do locha taoscach
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
Fé iasc ná fuil a shamhailt in Éirinn
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
Loch Com Seangán na hollaphéiste
An dá sciollóg ina mbíonn an méith-bhreac,
Na Coma-locha is Com Fiadh taobh leo
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó

Is breá é an radharc a chím gach taobh díot
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
Ó thuaidh 's ó dheas is soir in éineacht
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
Ó Dhroim fhinín i lár na nDéise
Go Corrach Mór i dtír na bPaorach
'S as san ó thuaidh go Sliabh Ban Féinne
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó

Do bhíos thar saile i gcéin uait
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
I ndúthaigh fáin ag déanamh saothair
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
Ach b'obair tháir liom cnuasacht gréithre
I bhfad óm áit fé scáil do shléibhte
Is chas mé arís ort, a phlúr na nDéise,
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó

summary verse 1: Blessings of my heart on your land and mountains and hospitable people, o pleasant Comeraghs [range in County Waterford], your bright streams and lush woodlands, honeyed glens and clear grasslands; The love of my heart to all of them.

verse 2: Your many lakes are abundant with fish. [names a few lakes - can any body tell more about the ollphéist - monster or serpent - of Loch Com Seangán?]

verse 3: There's a wonderful view from every side [names several places]

verse 4: I was working overseas far away from you for a time, far from the shade of your mountains. But I returned to you, flower of na Déise (The Decies, Waterford & S Tipperary), the lovely Comeraghs.

The song was composed by Maurus Ó Faoláin, a Cistercian priest born in Kilrossanty, Co Waterford 1853. He was elected Abbot of Mount Mellery in 1908 and remained there until his death in 1931. He collected poetry as well as composing his own.

I think you can find recordings by Ann Mulqueen, Áine uí Cheallaigh, & Karan Casey (with Solas)

19 May 01 - 06:52 PM (#466466)
Subject: RE: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Philippa again

a web search came up with surprising info that Paul Winters also recorded this song as Sweet Comaraghs But I see from a listing of artists on the album that Karan Casey probably did the singing. Verified by this item:Celtic Solstice reviewed by Diana Lomonosova
""A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn Ó (Sweet Comeraghs)," the seventh track poetically illuminates, 'Cliffs and steep slopes in every direction,/ Like a satin weave from a magic loom,/ As the dew falls from the heavens high,/ Sweet Comeragh.' Casey's voice weaves a tapestry of the majestic Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford, Ireland. I dare you not to heave a sigh of pleasure while listening to her!"

Real Audio on a compilation album I didn't listen to it and don't know which singer is featured.
Solas on this archived radio programme looks interesting

Also, the song has been recorded by a singer I've never heard of Zena

20 May 01 - 04:14 AM (#466688)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: Sabine

thanks a million!!!

You folks are really fantastic!

Slán

Sabine

20 May 01 - 10:17 AM (#466755)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Philippa

even more "fantastic": I got the notes for the Solas album "The Words That Remain" on which Karan Casey sings this song. They give three verses. The first two are as I gave above (the verses sung by Áine uí Cheallaigh) The middle one goes:

Is dathúil brea do chrúacha scéimchruth
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
Nuair a lasaid suas le hamharc gréine
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó
Na faillte 's leacain ar gach taobh diot
Mar bhrata sróil le seolta gléasta
Nuair a scaipeann an drúcht anuas ón spéir ort
A Chumaraigh Aoibhinn Ó

The notes say Karan learned the song from Ann Mulqueen. A translation is given:

SWEET COMERAGHS
(translated from the Irish of Maurus Ó Faoláin by Oisín Ó Siochrú)

My heartfelt blessings on your valleys and mountains
Sweet Comeragh
And on your cheerful people so naturally kind
Sweet Comeragh
On your shining streams and your leafy woodlands
Your honeyed slopes and your gleaming meadows
My heart fill with love for them surely
Sweet Comeragh

Your rugged peaks are a handsome sight
Sweet Comeragh
As the rising sun sets them alight
Sweet Comeragh
Cliffs and steep slopes in every direction
Like satin weave from a magic loom
As the dew drop falls from the heavens high
Sweet Comeragh

I was a while away from your beauty
Sweet Comeragh
Slaving so hard in a foreign land
Sweet Comeragh
Base work it was just to make a living
Far from my home 'neath the shade of your mountains
So I came back to you the flower of the Déise

20 May 01 - 10:51 AM (#466770)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Philippa

"The first two are as I gave above " clumsy of me. I meant the first and last verses are the same, with different verses sung in the middle (presumably all verses chosen from the longer original)

Who can tell us more about the lake monster of Loch Com Seangán? (the words translate as Loch Com Seangán of the monster [or serpent])

20 May 01 - 10:01 PM (#467039)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: Big Mick

Philippa, you are a treasure! I want you to know how much I appreciate your passion for this and your desire to share it with us.

Mick

20 May 01 - 10:26 PM (#467047)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Brían

I don't know what the air is, but words seem to resemble the pattern of another song, Bán Chnoic Éireann Ó. Are they related? I haven't found any thing about the monster.

Brían

21 May 01 - 04:39 PM (#467326)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Philippa

I think the airs of the two songs are somewhat similar. Not that you'd be in danger of mixing them up. And both airs are very nice. Have you tried the audial link I gave above? I hope Sabine saw my addition of the notes from Solas.

21 May 01 - 05:17 PM (#467350)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Brían

Its that Star of the County Down otherwise known as Kingsfold again.
Beidh mé ag caint leat aríst.

Brían

21 May 01 - 05:33 PM (#467359)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Angun

On Ann Mulqueen's CD "Mo ghrása thall na Déise" she sings the three verses Karan Casey sings on "The words that remain". Beautiful song, beautiful place!

Angun

22 May 01 - 05:11 AM (#467710)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: MartinRyan

It's "the Star.." again, alright. Bit like the way Eliza Carthy sings Claudy Banks.

Regards

24 May 01 - 09:45 PM (#469957)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Brían

Philippa,
I'd like to keep this thread current. No new information on the monster of Loch Com Seangán. I've tried putting a posting on the localireland website to see if anything comes of it. A good puzzle..........

Brían

25 May 01 - 04:54 PM (#470541)
Subject: RE: Nessie's relatives
From: GUEST,Philippa

Maybe we should start a different thread to collect tales of mythical sea/loch monsters. There's others besides the one in Loch Ness. I heard of one in Skye and Oko Poko (?)in Nova Scotia and Loch Com Seangán and more.

26 May 01 - 12:33 AM (#470779)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Brían

There is also a monster in Lake Champlain called "Champy".

I e-mailed the Bord Fáilte in Kilrossanty. They actually e-mailed me back, but said they weren't aware of the legend. I don't think the posting to the Wexford?localireland woll pan out either. I do have a friend that as well as being a great traditional musician and singer is also a librarian. I'll ask him how we might pursue this.

I just wanted to say, you've done some great work researching the background on the song. That should make this easy if the information is out there.

Go raibh míle maith agat agus beidh mé ag caint aríst.

Brían

26 May 01 - 10:12 AM (#470907)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,mumhnach

Never heard of a legend of a lake monster in Com Seangán but there are stories attaching to several parts of the Comeragh Mts, the traditional haven of highwaymen and rebels right down to the 'Troubles' of the 1920s. The best known is probably 'Crotty the Robber', a rapparee who defied the authorities in County Waterford for years until betrayed by a gang member. Then there was the brothers Connery of Bohadoon in 1830s and Robert Weldon, the poet of the Comeraghs whose local renoun faded with the decline of the native language in that area. Another of the great local songs is 'Sliabh Geal gCua na Féile', also beautifully rendered by mesdame Mulqueen, UíCheallaigh and Casey on various recordings.

26 May 01 - 01:56 PM (#471001)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Brían

Go raibh maith agat, a Mhumhnach.

brían

26 May 01 - 02:19 PM (#471009)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: beachcomber

I know Loch Choum Sheangawn very well , as the Comeragh Mountain range is only some twenty miles from my home. I also know many people who live in the mountain area but, I have never heard them comment (strangely) on the "monster" either. However as well as " Crotty the Robber" and the IRA connection concerning the Wars of the early years of the last century, the most popular reference mentioned by locals was concerning the "witch" known as"Pettycoat Lewis" (or should that be "Loose") BTW there is a section of mountain side road (boreen) in the general area where a car, engine off, parking brake off, will begin to roll UPHILL. This is to all appearances against the law of gravity?? ( (-:) ) I hope that's the symbol for tongue in cheek? Slawn tamaill,

Beach

03 Jan 11 - 11:02 AM (#3066242)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O'
From: GUEST,Peadar O'Griofa

Interesting comments on this amhran now dated 10 years ago! May I add a little? Maurus Ó Faoláin was a cousin of my Mother, her grandmother was a Kate Morrissey from that area, a native Irish speaker. Maurus (otherwise Muiris) was the only Waterford born priest ever to be elected Abbot of Mount Mellary.He is buried in the small graveyard to the side of the church under a Celtic Cross headstone. I was given a copy of the song once and I recall that it had more verses. I will try to locate it.It is great to hear Karen Casey from Ballyduff near to my own place and the ladies Ui Ceallaigh and Mulqueen singing it.Maith shibh cailini!!

10 Jun 11 - 02:20 PM (#3168504)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O
From: GUEST,Christoph Isenberg

Hi everybody, this is Christoph from Hamburg. I fell in love with this song years ago. My girlfriend and me are going to marry in August here in Hamburg. We would love to find somebody who is able to perform" A Chomaraigh Aolbhinn O" a capella in the church.
Is there by any chance any singer living near by/not so far away who is able to sing in Gaelic?
Suggestions are much appreciated!!!
Thanks and greetings from Germany