Lyr Req: An Buinneann Bui/An Crann Bui

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 18 Mar 00 - 04:05 PM

a Philippa,

Léigh arís an méid a scríobh mé thuas. Níor dhúirt mé nach raibh aisttriúcháin ann, dúirt mé nach raibh leaganacha traidisiúnta Béarla i mbéal an phobail.

Philippa, please read what I have already said. Annraoi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 06:25 PM

another one who sings it in English{ Vince Hearns

There is a standard translation, the one by Thomas McDonagh. (There may, of course, be other translations)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 16 Mar 00 - 09:53 PM

Hi Annraoi and everyone else!

This really is quite interesting.

I would not go so far as to say the song is traditional in English... and I haven't said that. Now, an equally interesting question is whether it is a traditional song in Irish.

For one thing, the author seems to be known. Next, is there any substantial textual and melodic difference from singer to singer, or is it always sung to basically the same words and melody? If the answer is no to that question, An Bunnan Bui would be a classic quite old Irish song but not a traditional one... and that is purely from an ethnomusical-folkloric perspective.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: Áine
Date: 16 Mar 00 - 08:38 PM

Maith thú, a Annraoi! Creidim go bhfuil tú ceart ar fad!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 16 Mar 00 - 08:19 PM

I've known and sung this song since I was a youngster. I've travelled all over Ireland and saw and heard most of the singers of the 50's and 60's - until the Troubles put an end to my travelling. Not only did I never hear this song sung in English, I've never even heard of a set of traditional words in English for it. I'm not denying that there have been conscious translations of the words, be they good, bad or indifferent, and they may well be metrically suited to the tune. That does not make them traditional and in my book, that does not make them acceptable. Philippa, I'm surprised at your use of such emphasis on the word "is", also the use of the article "The" as if there is an accepted single English traditional set of words - which clearly there is not. If I sound somewhat petulant it is because the passing off of English language versions of classic Irish poetry / songs as if they are the genuine traditional article really irritates me.

Strangely enough I've just come home from playing at a St.Patrick's Eve céilí and during the break I discussed much the same point with the box player a propos playing Slow Airs. We both agreed at the irritation - not to say downright annoyance - at attempts to play Slow Airs by people who do not know the words, and who consequently get the phrasing, and even sometimes the very tune wrong. We both have had the unfortunate experience of hearing whole lines left out. And these same culprits would howl in protest at the leaving out of a couple of bars in a reel or jig !!

Annraoi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: sheila
Date: 16 Mar 00 - 08:20 AM

I heard Al O'Donnell sing it in English, back in the '60s at a party in Edinburgh.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 15 Mar 00 - 10:14 PM

Hi Annraoi!

The first time I ever heard An Bunnan Bui was about 22 years ago. The singer was a mandolinist from Dublin by the name of Johnny Beggan and he sang it in English. Johnny had only 3 verses. When I was getting ready to send my song collection to the publisher, I asked a couple of old friends, Roy Harris and Mick Moloney, to look over the manuscript. Mick was the one who came up with the missing verse.

In addition to the O'Sullivan book noted above, you'll find it in my folk song collection, A Bonnie Bunch of Roses (New York, Oak, 1983)- http://www.folklegacy.com/books.htm

It was also recorded in English by my friend Tim Lyons on a Leader/Trailer LP back in the 1970s. The song was certainly written in Irish but, as you can see, it has been sung in English for at least a quarter of a century.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: An Bonnán Buí/An Crann Ull
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 15 Mar 00 - 05:07 PM

The English translation of an Bonnán Buí is sometimes sung too.
I looked up "buinneán" in O Domhnaill's dictionary and found a small shoot or sapling, so I am reverting to the spelling I know for a bittern.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: GUEST,Dympna
Date: 15 Mar 00 - 04:43 PM

Thanks everyone for the reponses and leads. It's given me plenty to be working on. Should keep me busy awhile.

- Dympna

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 15 Mar 00 - 03:34 PM

Dan, I hope you don't thnk me "picky" but when you speak of "the" English words for "an Buinneán Buí" it gives the impression that there is a set of traditional words for the song. In fact there are not. It is sung in Irish only. Annraoi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: Wolfgang
Date: 15 Mar 00 - 03:35 AM

Old thread for An Bonnán Buí including Lyrics in English.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 13 Mar 00 - 10:25 PM

Songs of the Irish by Donal O'Sullivan (New York, Crown, 1960) has both the English and Irish words for An Bunnan Bui. If you're interested in these kind of songs, it would be a good book for you to get.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: GUEST,Angun
Date: 13 Mar 00 - 04:11 PM

Hi Dympna If you go to Cathie Ryan´s homepage I belive you`ll find the english words for An Buinnean Buí

All the best, Angun

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: Áine
Date: 13 Mar 00 - 03:20 PM

Dear Dympna,

Click here to go to the last thread that discussed the lyrics for Crann Úll.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Buí
From: Áine
Date: 13 Mar 00 - 03:08 PM

An Bonnán Buí
le Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna

A bhonnáin bhuí 's é mo léan do luí
'S do chnámha sínte tar éis do ghrinn
'S ní easpa bidh, ach díobháil dí
A d'fhág 'do luí thú ar chúl do chinn
Is measa liom féin ná scrios na Traí
Tú a bheith 'do luí ar leaca lom'
Is nach ndearn' tú díth ná dola sa tír
'S nárbh fhearr leat fíon ná uisce poll

Ní hiad bhur n-éanlaith atá mé ag éagaoin
An chuach, an traonach ná'n chorr bhreac
Ach mo bhonnán buí, a bhí lán den chroí
'S gur chosúil liom féin é i nós 's i ndath
Bhíodh sé 'síoraí 'g ól na dí
Is deirtear go mbímse mar sin seal
Níl aon bhraon dá bhfaighinn nach ligfinn síos
Ar eagla go bhfaighinnse bás den tart!

'S é 'd'iarr mo stór orm ligean den ól
Nó nach mbeinnse beo ach seal beag gearr
Ach dúirt mé léi gur thug sí an bhréag
Is gurbh fhaidide mo shaolsa an deoch úd 'fháil
Mar an bhfeiceann sibh éan an phíobáin réidh
A chuaigh in éag den tart ar ball?
'S, a chomharsana cléibhe, fliuchaigí bhur mbéal
Mar ní bhfaighidh sibh aon bhraon i ndiaidh bhur mbáis!

Subject: An Buinneann Buí/An Crann Úll
From: GUEST,Dympna
Date: 13 Mar 00 - 02:57 PM

I'm looking for the lyrics to either of these songs in Irish or English. Both would be great of course..

I believe that Clannad did versions of both of them, if that helps anyone any.

Any pointers to tracking them, especially An Crann Úll much appreciated.