The song is a lament written by Conchbhar O laoghaire for his three sons, Finin, Cormac and Donal and the husband of his daughter who drowned together close to Fastnet Rock. It seems Conchubhar was married twice and he recieved neither pity nor support from either wife.

The things you learn from listening to folk music.

I got this from the liner notes of Bruch na Carraige Baine by the late Diarmuid O Suilleabhain. It also appears to go by the title LUAN DUBH AN AIR.

Brian