The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #161904 Message #3850885
Posted By: Stower
17-Apr-17 - 05:07 PM
Thread Name: Irish speakers' help, please
Subject: Irish speakers' help, please
I'd be very interestsed to know what Irish speakers make of claims about a 16th century song.
There are claims about a song popular in England in the 16th and 17th century with the variously spelt allegedly transliterated title and refrain, Callin o custure me, Calen o Custure me, Caleno custure me, Callino Casturame, etc.
I'm aware of various claims for an original Irish and am enquiring about their credibility:
Cailín ó Chois tSiúre mé = I am a girl from beside the [river] Suir
Cailín óg a stiuire me = my dear little girl
Cailín og a stuair me = Colleen oge astore = young girl of my heart forever, or young girl, my treasure.
My questions for speakers of Irish …
Are these translations of the presumably phoenetic English back into Gaelic and then the Gaelic into English credible, in your view?
Do you think the pronunciation of any of these Gaelic phrases can be credibly transliterated into Callin o custure me? Not being an Irish speaker, I know nothing of Irish pronunciation, either currently or, more to the point, in the 16th/17th century. If any reader is a historian of the Irish language and its pronunciation, I'd really like to hear from you.
There is a 17th century John Playford song, An Irish Tune, whose entire words are, "Callino Callino Calino Castore me, Eva ee, eva ee, loo, loo, loo, loo, loo". I've read that this too can be seen as a transliteration from Irish. I am sceptical. What do you think?
Any views of Irish speakers will be much appreciated.