Also, I'm probably wrong, in the light of other information here, but I always thought the title was a covert way of singing about love for and loyalty to Ireland, the country, as a rebellion against the English. The title would then imply that the singer would die for his country if necessary. The description of the woman can possibly, with a bit of mental gymnastics, be read as a description of Ireland.

From trevek's post, 08 May 08 - 07:49 AM:

If she to my words would take heed,
Then the voice of my heart could ring true
To her will I would gladly ascede
Her desirs I would satisfy too
I would read to her stories of old
I would die for this woman with ease
For one kiss my heart would explode
Is ar Éirinn ní n-eósainn cé h-í.

A vision of beauty and grace
resides just beyond my domain
There is beauty and joy in her face
And her reason is honest and plain.
Her hair is as gold when it shines
her cheeks, like th rose, ar aflame
And my heart to her will it resigns
But for Ireland I'd not tell her name.

(trans Sinead Cassidy, adapted Trev Hill)

I'm trying to remember whether the same covert sentiments about Ireland have been attributed to the song Four Green Fields.

Helen