An Carbhat (notes and translation by Risteard Mac Gabhann)

In the late 18th and 19th Centuries, groups of local vigilantes grew up initially in response to the injustices of a local landlord or agent. They were essentially locally based groups but the pattern was copied in many places throughout the country. Often, a group would wear a distinctive item of clothing like the waistcoat (veist) or necktie (carbhat) referred to in this song, and the group would be known by their garb e.g. ‘Na Seanveisteanna’ or ‘Na Carbhait’. Despite their justifiable origins, like the Mafia in Sicily, these vigilante groups in Ireland often lacked the discipline that a nationally organised body might have provided, and commonly degenerated into groups that preyed upon their own communities. This tendency is essentially the subject of this song.

AN CARBHAT

Is fada ‘tá fuaim ag gluaiseacht ead(a)rainn,   
Ag tuar chun spairne i gClár Uí Néill,
Ó bhailte na tuaithe go bruach na farraige,
Uabhar is eagla is ár ar Ghaeil, 
Tá siosma rómhór sa chuan seo in aice linn,
An Eaglais buartha ar uair an Aifrinn,
‘ sileadh na súl, ‘ tabhairt comhairle bhur leasa daoibh,
Táimse ‘mo chodladh nó is fíor mo scéal.

A bhuachaillí croí, ná bígí i bhfearg liom,                                 
Is daoibhse a spreagaim mo ráite béil,
Tagann osna i m’ chroí nuair a chím[1] nach leanann sibh,
[1 = feicim]
Dlí na hEaglais’ is áille méin,                           
Ach ag imeacht le baois ‘ déanamh aimhleas bhur n-anamann’
Mar a bheadh daill gan radharc ar mear(a)chéill[2], [2 = mearchiall]
Geallaimse daoibh go mbeidh naimhde ag magadh fúibh,
I can assure you that enemies will be laughing at you,
Táimse ‘mo chodladh nó is fíor mo scéal.

’s é teagasc na cléire is réir na hEaglaise,
An tslí, mar a mheasaimse, is fearr chun Dé,
‘s ní dul chun an aonaigh le faobhar go feargach,
Tréan faoi arm chun lámhach na bpiléar [3]   [3 Abair ‘na bpléir’]
Nach dealbh an scéal é a léamh ag gallaphoic,
Gurb iad Gaeil ‘tá ag déanamh ach(a)rainn,
‘ fealladh ar a chéile faoi ghné gach sean(a)cheirt,
Veist is car(a)bhat bán a thréig.

THE NECKTIE

For a long time, the word has been passing among us,
Predicting strife in Ireland,
From rural townlands to the edge of the sea
Hurt pride, fear and slaughter of the Gael,
There is too much dissension in this harbour beside us,
The Church worried at mass time,
Weeping and counselling in your own interest,
My word is true or I am asleep.

Dear lads, don’t be angry with me,
It’s for your sake that I am moved to speak,
I sigh in my heart, when I see that you don’t follow,
The guidance of the most benevolent Church
Instead, running around foolishly to the detriment of your souls,
Like crazy, sightless people.
My word is true or I am asleep.

What the clergy teach and the rule of the Church,
Is, in my view, the best route to God,
Not going to fairs with rage and sharp weapons,
Massively armed to shoot bullets.
Isn’t it a bleak tale for the English to be reading (about us),
That it is the Gael who is creating strife,
Betraying each other under the guise of every old rag,
Waistcoat and white necktie that have deserted (us).

Recording:
https://seannos.tg4.ie/baile/amhranaithe/sean-mac-craith/an-carabhat-amhrain-is-ansa-liom/

Also recorded by Nioclas Toibín

jpg of sheet music: https://archive.comhaltas.ie/compositions/55