The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #31628   Message #2652253
Posted By: GUEST,Phil.
09-Jun-09 - 11:17 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Bheir Me O / Eriskay Love Lilt - meaning
Subject: RE: Help: bheir me o - meaning
I believe the Irish version is simply a translation from the Scottish, so translations should be based on the Scottish verses. Although "bheir mé ó" is translatable, I think this is just a coincidence and that in this case we are dealing with vocables

isn't the line translated about the harp, "I mo chláirseach/clársach ní raibh ceol" - there was no music in my harp
for a different line I would go along with crua/cruidh (not cruit), hard is my heart

clársach is a word for harp -- as is cruit. Had an interesting discussion about cruit with Lorcan Mac Mathúna. Cruit is a hunchback, and from that, the appearance of a wandering minstrel carrying a small harp on his back