A four verse version of the song collected from oral tradition by Irish scholar Patrick Lynch in Mayo in May 1802, for Edward Bunting's Collection, in which none of Lynch's two hundred collected and translated songs were ever published by Bunting.

The song was collected from Patrick Lynch's Hairdresser in Castlebar, May 26th 1802.

Patrick Lynch Irish Gaelic fair copy (neatly re-written) in:
The Edward Bunting Collection in Special Collections & Archives, Queen's University Belfast
MS 4/7 Manuscript collection of Irish songs in Gaelic by Patrick Lynch
MS 4.7.91, page 96, song 58, 1802

Patrick Lynch Irish Gaelic fair copy: Róisín Dubh

A translation by Patrick Lynch is probable in one of his manuscripts that are not as yet available to view.


A Róisín, ná bíodh brón ort fár éirigh dhuit
Tá na bráthrighe teacht ar saíle, i a triall ar muir
Gheobha tú párdún ó’n bPápa, 's ó'n Róimh anoir
Is ná spáráil fíon Spáineach ar mo Róisín Dubh

Dho mharbh tú mé a bhradóig snar bu fearrde dhuit
Is ta m'anam a stigh n-geall ort s ni ané no diudh
D'fágai tú lag marbh me gan sgéimh nó cruth
S ná déan feall orm is tú mo leanbáin glégheal dhub

A Róisín gheal mhómhar is áilne gnaoi
Tá mór ghean agum 's féin ort trí lár mo chroidhe
Éalóigh liom, a céad shearc, agus fág sa an tír
Is má éadan, é dhéana me bainríao díot

Shiúbhailainn a drúcht leat í ciumhas na n-goirt
Mo shúil go bh-fúighim siúd uait í páirt dá do toil,
A chraobh álainn, a dubhairt liomsa tá grádh agam duit
'S go n-déanain cleas a gcúl leasa le mo Róisín Dubh



Roisin, have no sorrow for all that has happened to you
The Friars are coming across the sea and are travelling the ocean
You will receive a pardon from the Pope, and from Rome to the east
And Spanish wine will not be spared on my Róisín Dubh

You have slain me, you roguish woman, may it serve to you no better
My soul is within you, I promise you, not just yesterday nor today
You have left me weak and lifeless, without form or shape,
Do not betray me, you are my fairest dark child

Róisín is a bright, gracious and pleasant beauty
I have great love for you through the center of my heart
Escape with me, my dearest love, and leave the country
If you do, I will make you a queen

I would walk in the dew with her on the edge of the meadows,
I hope that I will receive from you part of your will
Beautiful branch, you said that you love me
And make delights behind the lios with my Roisin Dubh


(verse 2 line 1)
bhradóige = sly, roguish, cheerful girl
bhrídeóige (later versions) = a bride, a maiden
(verse 2 line 3)
sgéimh = scéimh = beauty of face or form, personal elegance
scéimh-cruth = beauty of shape or appearance

(verse 4 line 4)
leasa = lios = enclosed ground of (ancient) dwelling-house


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