AR BRUACH NA CARRAIGE BAINE
(trad)

As I roved out to view the flowers,
Being in the morning early,
A pretty fair maid I chanced to spy,
Her flowers they grew most neatly.
Her cherry cheeks, her ruby lips,
Her eyes, would tickle the daisy,
I took this fair maid by the hand.
She said, "Young man go easy".

I am a ploughboy my seeds do grow
And that's well known to my neighbours.
And many's a field I've ploughed indeed
And that without much labour.
Ill plough, I'll sow, I'll reap and mow,
I'll gather it into the barn;
I'll play a reel and dance with you
On the banks of the Carraige Báine

B'fhearr liom fhéin ná Éire mhór
'S ná saibhrear Rí na Spáinne,
Mise 'gus tusa a Chúilfhionn óig
Seal ag ól ár shláinte;
Mé's tú bheith póstaaraon
Gan chead tola athair is màthair;
'S a mhaighdean óig is miles póig
Ar bhruach na Carraige Báine.

I'll spread my mantle for you, young man
If it weren't the breadth of a farthing.
If I thought your mind was as good as your word,
Indeed, it is you I would rather.
For want of any company
You need not go no further;
But rise me up to the top of the hill
And show me the Carraige Báine.

(Translation of 3rd verse:

I would rather than all Ireland
Or than the wealth of the king of Spain,
That you and I young fair headed one
Spend a while drinking our health;
You and I to be married together
Without the consent of father or mother;
Young maid of the sweetest kisses
On the banks of the Carraige Báine.

Recorded by Len Graham on Do Me Justice Claddagh Records 1983.

He says:

I first heard a fragment of this macaronic song from Bríd Mac Donnchadha of Feenish Island, Connemara, whose singing was recorded by Séamus Ennis in 1954. Another version appears in 'Ceol Tíre' no 16 (1980). I have borrowed from both.

NK