Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa

Subject: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: An Duilach Mor
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 01:14 PM

Hello all,

I have looked for about an hour on the web via google, here and alta vista and cannot find the lyrics anywhere. Artists performing it, radio station playlists. but no lyrics. Even saw two people singing it on TG4.tv, Irish language telly but no lyrics... but I am sure you can help... off you go.

Many thanks in advance

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 01:49 PM

There is a text with tune in Eibhlín Bean Mic Coisdealba (Mrs Costello), Amráin Muige Seóla (Dublin: Talbot Press,1923, 15-18; since reprinted) with the text of a related version. I expect that there are more print sources available, but the Irish Gaelic repertoire isn't my area. Do you possess a recording (sometimes sleeve notes provide useful information) or did you just hear it somewhere?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: An Duilach Mor
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 01:55 PM

Heard it many times. When I was small, particularly. Nanny now long dead.

The sleeves I have seen don't have it. Darach O'Cathain, Roisin Alsafty. Thank you for your guidance to the literature.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 04:52 PM

Can you quote any phrases from the song, other than the title? Search for those phrases using Google, and you're more likely to find the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 02:34 PM

there are apparently some Máire Ní Ghríofa soundfile downloads available
http://music.msn.com/album/?album=43735420 (Darach O Cathain)
http://www.free-albums.net/search-Maire%20Ni%20Ghriofa.asp (Chris Newman + Máire Ní Chathasaigh - album The Hidden Pearl.mp3)
http://www.emusic.com/artist/10563/10563871.html (Roisín Elsafty and Treasa Ní Cheannabháin)
several other sites have these downloads as well

if you purchase the recording by Áine Bean Mhaitiú (see http://www.cic.ie/product.asp?idProduct=714 ), you will probably find a lyrics booklet included (but ask, don't take my word for it as I don't have this album)
the song was also on an older Cló Iar-Chonnachta album, CIC001 "Seal ag Tarraingt

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 01 May 07 - 07:08 PM

Time to refresh this one, evidently. I don't have time to post the words from the book I mentioned above, particularly as they are printed in Gaelic rather than Roman type; but I can't be the only person round here who has a copy.

Subject: Lyr Add: MÁIRE NÍ GHRÍOFA
From: GUEST,DK
Date: 02 May 07 - 02:31 AM

The first version here is from 'Amhráin Mhuighe Seóla,' the other two are from 'Na Fonnadórí,' a
booklet and three tapes from Donegal.


MÁIRE NÍ GHRÍOFA

Ó! grádh mo chroidhe le m'anam thú seachas a bhfuil beo,
Mar is tú a shábháil m'anam dhom an lá úd a tháinig mór.
Bhí dhá chúrsa ceangailte agam agus barróg ar seól
A's nior sgar mé le ceann Galúna no go d-táinig mé 'steach 'san ród.

Oh! the love of my heart and my soul are you Beyond all that live, For it is you
that saved my life for me, On that day as the storm arose. I had two reefs tied, And a
tight grip on the sail, And I did not ease off Golum Head Till I entered upon the road.

Dá bhfeictheása bád chlainn Dhonnchada gach lá dá dtéigheadh sí chum seóil
Phlúcfadh sí an fharraige a's ní fhliuchfadh sí ceann seóil
Bhéadh tús ar 'chuile ghála aici dhá dtigeadh an lá mór
A's go ndíolfainn mo luichtín móna, a's mé ag comhrá le mo stór.

If you were to see Clann Donnach's boat, Each day it went to sea, (How) it would breast
the (strongest) wave, And never wet a sail, She would be in advance ot every gale, However
rough the day, And I would sell my load of turf, While talking with my love.

Mo ghrádh Máir' Ní Ghríobhtha, 'sí budh mhíne ná na mná,
Mar sí nár thug ariamh an gloine dhom acht an buidéal a's é a bheith lán.
Nuair a shílinn dul dá íoc léi ní dhéanadh sí dhiom acht greann,
A's ní sgarfaidh mo ghrádhsa choidche léi go dtí an oidhche thar éis mo báis.

Oh! Mary Griffin is my true love, More tender she than all,
For 'twas she who never gave me a glass,
But the bottle brimming o'er. When I'd think to pay her for't, 'Tis she would mock me fairly,
Oh! my love for her will never decay Till the night of death's passed o'er me.

Is iomdhá sin maidin Domhnaigh bhí mé súgach deas go leor,
Ag dul soir le mo luichtín móna a's dhá chúrsa ar an seól mór,
Níor ghéill mé ariamh do mhúr ar bith dá ghála ná do cheo,
Nó go dtéigheadh mé á' caint le plúr na mban bhí romham 'san mbaile mór.

It's many's the Sunday morning I was jolly and light-hearted, Going down with my little load of
turf, With two reefs upon the sail. I never yielded to any shower, To a gale or to a fog,
Till I came to talk with the flower of maids, Who was before me in the town.

Nuair a imtheóchas mé ar an tir seo 's nuair a dibreochthar mé 'san báid
Nuair a caithfidh mé oídhche i Maoinis is dhá oídhche ar an Tráigh-Bháin
Siubhailfidh mé thart i Liberti is anonn faoi chunndae-an Chláir:
A's mara bpósaidh Mhair' ni Ghriobhtha mé, ni fhillfidh mé go bráth.

When I betake me from this shore, And am driven from the boat, When I spend a night at Mweenish,
And two nights at Trabane, I will walk across by the Libertíes, And over through County Clare, And if
Mary Griffin marries me not, I'll never return again.


The places referred to in tbe songs are nearly all in the neighbourhood
of Carna, Connemara, e.g. Meenish, Trabane, Ardmore, Golum Head. The "Liberties"
referred to are the Liberties of Galway, and "An Bhaile Mór" is Galway town.

8. Máire Ní Ghríofa

Ó is chaith mé an bhliain anuraidh leat mar bhí mé óg gan chiall
Do do mhealladh is do do bhréagadh is do do dhéanainh amach dhom féin
Bhí drochmheas agam ar do mhuintir is bhí an-chion a'm ort féin
Ach ní phósfaidh mé ina dhiaidh sin thú nó go bhfaighidh tú tuilleadh spré.

Ó is mo ghrása Máire Ní Ghríofa 'sí ba mhíne ná na mná
Sí nár thug ariamh an gloine duit ach an buideál 's é a bheith lán
Nuair a shíl mé dul chun íoc léi ní dhéanfadh sí liomsa ach greann
Ach ní scarfadh mo chroí go deo léi go dtí an geimhreadh tar éis a báis.

Ó is tá pian i mbéal mo chléibhe a chuirfeadh na céadta fear chun báis
'Gus tá mé cinnte dearfa nach bhfuil mo leigheas le fáil
Nach trua mé anois ag scarúint leat ar theacht don aimsir bhreá
Nuair atá an chuaichín óg ag seinm ceoil 'gus an duilliúr glas ag fás.

Ó 's nach iomaí maidin Domhnaigh bhí mé súgach deas go leor
Ag dul soir le mo luichtín móna is trí chúrsa i mo sheol mór
Níor ghéill mé ariamh do mhúr ar bith, do ghála ná do cheo
Nó go dtéinnse ag caint le plúr na mban a bhí romham sa mbaile mór.

8. Máire Ní Ghríofa (arís)

Is nach iomaí maidin Domhnach a chaith mé súgach maith go leor
Ag dul soir le mo luichtín móna is dhá chúrsa i mo sheol mór
Níor ghéill mé ariamh do mhúr ar bith dá dhúinte dá mbeadh d'cheo
Nó go dtéinn ag caint le plúr na mban a bhíodh romham sa mbaile mór.

Is mo ghrá thú, a Mháire Ní Ghríofa, is tú an rí-bhean thar na mná
Níor ghéill mé ariamh an cnaigín ort nach líonfá dom an cáirt
Nuair a théim isteach go n-íocfainn thú ní dhéanfá díom ach greann
Is mo ghrá ní scarfad choíche leat an geimhreadh tar éis do bháis.

Is dá bhfeicfeá bád clann Dhonncha gach lá dá dtéadh sí chun seoil
Phlúchfadh sí an fharraige is ní fhliuchfadh sí ceann seoil
Bhíodh tús ar chuile rás aici nuair a thagadh an lá mór
Is nach ndíolfainn mo luichtín móna is mé ag comhrá le mo stór.

Is nuair a fhágfas mise an áit seo is nuair a fhágfas mé na báid
Caithfidh mé oíche i Maínis is dhá oíche sa Trá Bháin
Ar fhilliúint ar ais arís dom beidh mé oíche in Eanach Mheáin
Is mura bpósfaidh Máire Ní Ghríofa mé, ní fhillfidh mé go brách.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: Felipa
Date: 03 May 07 - 11:11 AM

the place names are Conamara and I believe that's where the Fonnadóirí recordings hail from as well, not Donegal.
(is that the set that Risteard Mac Aodha compiled?)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: GUEST,DK
Date: 04 May 07 - 08:28 AM

You are right in both instances, Felipa. I must admit that after nearly fifty years away my Irish
geography has become rusty, and Risteard Mac Aodha is the person concerned with the collection.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: An Duilach Mor
Date: 07 May 07 - 02:30 AM

All I can say is a big thank you. Very kind of you, Guest DK, to take the time to produce your message.

It was a tune my nanny, in Galway, used to sing. It has a lovely flat note; typical of Conamara in the tune I recall (which Darach OC naturally drops in his style when you listen). I wanted to find it because I need a couple more slow songs, in Irish, for the All Britain Fleadh at the end of next month and this one is a pleasure to sing - the writer is singing away to himself about Maire, as you do. A song with a bit of abandon in it is the best to sing - with these lyrical songs, the place you go to when you sing seems to come across. I'll have some good memories of 30 years ago in my head, anyway.

So if you're near by Preston, Lancs, UK at the end of June and I win - well I owe you a glass. :) Thanks again, Wes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: GUEST,Grace Wagner
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 10:37 PM

What is the name Ni Ghriofa in English?
Griffin, i guess....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 02:52 AM

Yes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: leeneia
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 10:20 AM

I believe the 'Ni' means 'grandaughter of'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 10:50 AM

Hi leenia

"daughter" rather than "grandaughter". The convention was for single women to use this form. Married women used a modified (genitive) version of their husband's surname. Bit more complicated now!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: leeneia
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 09:22 AM

Thanks, Martin. that's interesting.

Could you give some examples of modified husband's surnames?
=========
there's a video of someone singing 'Maire Ni Ghriofa' on YouTube, if anybody wants the tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: MartinRyan
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 10:42 AM

Leenia

Suppose Máire ní Ghríofa marries Seán Ó Neachtain - she would be referred to as Máire Uí Neachtain. The "uí" is a possessive (gramattically!) form of Ó. Nowadays, as far as I know, if she divorces the bould Seán but decides to retain his surname, she becomes Máire Ó Neachtain!

Regards

p.s. Pedant Alert! Be warned that this is only the tip of the iceberg as far as the intricacies of surname usage in Irish go...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: MartinRyan
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 10:55 AM

Click here to hear a version on Youtube sung by Máirtín Tom Sheáinín - whose name illustrates an older naming system still used in areas where Irish is the first language.

Regards

p.s Tune is also known as "Roll Me to the Wall", amongst other titles.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: leeneia
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 12:44 PM

Thanks for the info, Martin. Those prefixes have been intriguing me for a long time.

Now, what about a powerful clan I have read about called the Ui Neill?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: MartinRyan
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 01:01 PM

Same thing, really - "Clann Uí Néill" means (the) Family/Tribe/Clan of O'Neill. Using the Uí in English doesn't really make sense. Notice also that Irish doesn't use the apostrophe with O!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 02:46 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maire Ni Ghriofa
From: keberoxu
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 01:53 PM

Just had my first encounter with this song. The recording I listened to, matched exactly what is in the collection from which one poster contributed the lyrics. This thread has a post from 2 May 2007, with three different versions of the lyrics; the first version in the post is the one I refer to. The collection is often cited and referenced in Mudcat forum threads, although in the post to this thread the citation is very brief. Here follows a bibliographic description as well as I can supply it, from my copy, which is one of the respectful reprint edition.

Bi-lingual Title:
Amhráin Mhuighe Seóla. Traditional Folk-Songs from Galway and Mayo.

Bi-lingual identification of Editor:
Mrs. Eileen [Drury] Costello
Eibhlín Bean Mhic Choisdealbha

for completeness' sake, the collector who most aided the Editor, also bi-lingual:
Maggie Hession
Mairéad Ní Oisín

Publication and reprint info:
Talbot Press, 1923 [Journal, Irish Folk Song Society]
© Cló Iar-Chonnachta, 1990 [Indreabhán, Conamara]

"Máir' Ní Ghriobhtha" is the 10th song in the book, pp. 15 - 18. The book contains 80 titles altogether.