Lyr Add: Oran Na Maighdeann-Mhara / Mermaid's Song

Subject: RE: a' Mhaighdean Mhara
From: Felipa
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 06:09 PM

probably she wasn't swimming the river or Loch Erne but the sea - Eirne can also be used for sea in general

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Thread closed temporarily because it's been a target for a heavy barrage of Spam. If you have something to add to the discussion, contact me and I'll reopen it.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 10:48 PM

Paddy Plastique,
Yip !

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Paddy Plastique
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 08:13 AM

Tsukasa - my Irish is possibly more impoverished than yours despite 12 years of it back in school - but it's something to do with Mary Kenny just after having swum the Erne (short river coming out of the beautiful lake in Fermanagh into the sea in Sligo/ poss. Leitrim). btw Matchmakers and e-flirters - is this the same mermaid song as the one included on the 'Amhráin ar an Sean Nós' CD from Gael Linn? Must check it tonight when I get home...

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Peg
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 11:41 AM

Glad this thread got refreshed; one of the members of our band sings this song and I think she would be very interested in all this research into other versions, especially that Scots Gaelic one! Nice work everyone!!!!

Peg

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: GUEST,What does it mean?
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 09:41 AM

With my poor Irish I can't understand the meaning of the refrain "Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh is í i ndiaidh an Éirne shnámh" . Is anybody that helps me? Tsukasa

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Cuilionn
Date: 08 Feb 99 - 12:17 PM

Och, a' ye folk gang aboot craicin' in foreign tongues... 'tis eno' tae mak a person tapsalteerie! ;-)

Here's a fu' translation o' th' Scots Gaelic sang "Oran na Maighdinn Mhara." Regardin' th' phrase in the chorus, "S'ann le foill a mheall thu mi.", 'tis indade directit at th' human lover/husband o' th' selkie, maist likely a reference tae him stealin' an' hidin' her seal-skin awa'. Th' sang is connectit, according tae th' Scots Gaelic notes I hae on my copy, wi' clan "MhicOdrum nan R•n", or "MacOdrum of the seals", which traces its heritage to the marraige of a selkie and a "daoine talmhaidh" or "earthly man."

Verse 1: Outside on the crest of the waves in storm/ Cold and exposed far from land/ My love for you was ever healthy (wholesome)/ Although I am a sea maiden.

Verse 2: My sleep is but restless/ when the storm is fierce/ I was last night in Coire Bhreacain (speckled whirlpool or "Cauldron of the plaid")/ Tonight I will be at the isle of Iona.

Verse 3: Look and see the floor of the ocean/ Caves of silver and gold without end/ Beauty that no eye has ever seen/ In the court or palace of a king.

--Cuilionn

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Philippa
Date: 08 Feb 99 - 07:18 AM

Go raibh mile maith agat, Alison.
The Irish tune and song can be found in print in O hEidhinn (?) "C s Amhr n" and in O Baoill. "Ceolta Gael".
I notice that Annraoi's sweetheart (or some other sea maiden) has contributed to the Irish Wedding Song thread!
I regret that accented letters in earlier contributions in this thread have been distorted subsequent to the upgrading of the Mudcat Caf‚ system, and I hope the damage can be repaired.

Subject: Tune Add: ORAN NA MAIGHDINNN MHARA (Scottish)
From: alison
Date: 07 Feb 99 - 11:51 PM

...... and the Scottish one.....

alison

MIDI file: MAIGHD2.MID

Timebase: 480

Name: ORAN NA MAIGHDINNN MHARA (Scottish tun
TimeSig: 6/8 24 4
Key: E
Tempo: 100 (600000 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0000 1 64 041 0478 0 64 041 0002 1 64 043 0238 0 64 043 0002 1 68 042 0478 0 68 042 0002 1 69 050 0238 0 69 050 0002 1 71 054 0238 0 71 054 0002 1 69 049 0478 0 69 049 0002 1 68 045 0478 0 68 045 0002 1 71 049 0238 0 71 049 0002 1 64 045 0478 0 64 045 0002 1 64 042 0238 0 64 042 0002 1 68 039 0478 0 68 039 0002 1 69 053 0238 0 69 053 0002 1 71 049 0232 0 71 049 0002 1 69 042 0486 1 68 040 0036 0 69 042 0682 0 68 040 0002 1 66 039 0478 0 66 039 0002 1 66 039 0238 0 66 039 0002 1 66 044 0478 0 66 044 0002 1 69 049 0238 0 69 049 0002 1 71 035 0234 1 69 057 0024 0 71 035 0447 0 69 057 0015 1 66 038 0478 0 66 038 0002 1 62 029 0238 0 62 029 0002 1 64 042 0478 0 64 042 0002 1 64 032 0238 0 64 032 0002 1 68 037 0478 0 68 037 0002 1 71 042 0238 0 71 042 0002 1 66 037 0478 0 66 037 0002 1 66 042 0238 0 66 042 0002 1 64 036 0478 0 64 036 0002 1 68 039 0238 0 68 039 0002 1 68 020 0478 0 68 020 0002 1 71 043 0238 0 71 043 0002 1 76 048 0478 0 76 048 0002 1 71 044 0238 0 71 044 0002 1 73 044 0478 0 73 044 0002 1 69 042 0238 0 69 042 0002 1 71 046 0238 0 71 046 0002 1 64 036 0478 0 64 036 0002 1 68 050 0478 0 68 050 0002 1 71 061 0238 0 71 061 0002 1 76 049 0245 0 76 049 0015 1 71 046 0458 0 71 046 0002 1 73 044 0214 1 69 038 0023 0 73 044 0469 0 69 038 0014 1 71 050 0718 0 71 050 0002 1 71 053 0478 0 71 053 0002 1 71 036 0238 0 71 036 0002 1 64 037 0478 0 64 037 0002 1 68 047 0238 0 68 047 0002 1 69 050 0238 0 69 050 0002 1 69 052 0478 0 69 052 0002 1 66 027 0209 1 62 048 0036 0 66 027 0448 0 62 048 0027 1 64 046 0478 0 64 046 0002 1 64 042 0238 0 64 042 0002 1 68 053 0478 0 68 053 0002 1 71 048 0238 0 71 048 0002 1 66 035 0207 0 66 035 0065 1 66 047 0420 0 66 047 0028 1 64 041 0718 0 64 041
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:Oran Na Maighdinnn Mhara (Scottish tun
M:6/8
Q:1/4=100
K:E
E2EG2A|BA2G2B|E2EG2A|BA2G3|F2FF2A|BA2F2=D|
E2EG2B|F2FE2G|G2Be2B|c2ABE2|G2Be9/8B15/8|
c7/8A17/8B3|B2BE2G|AA2F7/8=D17/8|E2EG2B|F9/8F15/8E3|
||

Subject: Tune Add: AN MHAIGHDEAN MHARA (Irish)
From: alison
Date: 07 Feb 99 - 11:50 PM

Hi,

thanks to some GIFs from Philippa... here's the Irish tune.

Slainte

alison

MIDI file: MAIGHD1.MID

Timebase: 480

Name: AN MHAIGHDEAN MHARA (Irish tune)
TimeSig: 3/4 24 8
Key: Bb
Tempo: 100 (600000 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0960 1 65 036 0478 0 65 036 0002 1 70 050 0718 0 70 050 0002 1 72 046 0238 0 72 046 0002 1 74 044 0238 0 74 044 0002 1 75 036 0238 0 75 036 0002 1 74 046 0238 0 74 046 0002 1 72 042 0718 0 72 042 0002 1 70 036 0238 0 70 036 0002 1 69 044 0238 0 69 044 0002 1 70 048 0718 0 70 048 0002 1 72 040 0118 0 72 040 0002 1 70 029 0118 0 70 029 0002 1 69 053 0238 0 69 053 0002 1 67 046 0238 0 67 046 0002 1 65 035 0958 0 65 035 0002 1 70 035 0238 0 70 035 0002 1 72 042 0238 0 72 042 0002 1 74 053 0718 0 74 053 0002 1 72 027 0238 0 72 027 0002 1 74 050 0238 0 74 050 0002 1 75 035 0238 0 75 035 0002 1 77 040 0238 0 77 040 0015 1 74 049 0947 1 72 037 0011 0 74 049 0227 0 72 037 0002 1 74 043 0718 0 74 043 0002 1 74 033 0238 0 74 033 0002 1 72 032 0238 0 72 032 0002 1 74 033 0240 0 74 033 0000 1 75 030 0958 0 75 030 0002 1 74 031 0238 0 74 031 0002 1 75 038 0238 0 75 038 0002 1 77 046 0958 0 77 046 0002 1 75 040 0238 0 75 040 0002 1 74 037 0238 0 74 037 0002 1 75 047 0238 0 75 047 0002 1 74 044 0958 0 74 044 0002 1 72 038 0238 0 72 038 0002 1 70 040 0718 0 70 040 0002 1 72 044 0086 0 72 044 0016 1 70 039 0138 1 69 042 0012 0 70 039 0226 0 69 042 0002 1 67 044 0238 0 67 044 0002 1 65 035 0958 0 65 035 0002 1 62 030 0238 0 62 030 0002 1 63 022 0238 0 63 022 0002 1 65 036 0718 0 65 036 0002 1 65 040 0238 0 65 040 0002 1 67 032 0238 0 67 032 0002 1 69 046 0238 0 69 046 0002 1 70 050 0238 0 70 050 0002 1 72 054 0718 0 72 054 0002 1 74 036 0478 0 74 036 0002 1 75 048 0718 0 75 048 0002 1 74 036 0118 0 74 036 0002 1 72 029 0118 0 72 029 0002 1 74 044 0358 0 74 044 0002 1 72 025 0120 0 72 025 0000 1 70 031 0994 0 70 031
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:An Mhaighdean Mhara (Irish tune)
M:3/4
Q:1/4=100
K:Bb
F6|B3cde|dc3BA|B3c/2B/2AG|F4Bc|d3cde|fd4c|
d3dcd|e4de|f4ed|ed4c|B3c/2B/2AG|F4DE|F3FGA|
Bc3d2|e3d/2c/2d3/2c/2|B6||

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Annraoi
Date: 12 Dec 98 - 03:44 PM

a Áine, a stór, níor mhaith liom tú a fhágáil i d'aonar díomhaoin. Goite isteach a's deán do ghoradh ! Bíonn fáilte i dtólamh agam roimh cheoltóirí a's lucht rabhcán. Annraoi

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Philippa
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 04:21 AM

Regarding previous comments on the Scottish song (first entry - Ged is maighdean mhara mi should be translated as 'although I am a mermaid),I think the best interpretation is that all the lines belong to the sea(l)-maiden. the trickery would have been when the human lover originally captured her by hiding away her fur coat as she was bathing. there are stories, sometimes told along with a song,in both Scotland of Ireland, of how the maighdean mhara, despite having human children longs for the sea and searches for the hidden coat so that she can return to her homeland.

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Philippa
Date: 09 Dec 98 - 05:58 PM

go raibh maith agat, Áine, as an bhearsa sin.

as for Annraoi's boldness, I've been intrigued by tales I read about matches being made over the internet. It even happened to the daughter of someone I know. She virtually 'met' someone in a forum discussing literature; they subsequently really met and last I heard were engaged to wed. So are there any tales of Mudcat matchmaking? If anyone reads this and has a story to tell, please start another thread on the topic. I don't want to be responsible for it. Anyway, I'm soon going to take a few weeks break from Mudcat. Yer man says he doesn't see enough of me because I've been spending so much time down at the Café

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Áine
Date: 08 Dec 98 - 05:28 PM

A Annraoi: Ná bí dána! Tusa agus do ‘we could make beautiful music together’ – Náire ortsa! Cailín deas atá Philippa s’againnse. Ná cuir isteach uirthi, a spailpín fánach! (Níl mé ach magadh fút!)

Seo duit véarsa eile don amhráin seo:

Tá an oíche seo dorcha is tá an ghaoth i ndroch aird Tá an tseisreach ‘na seasamh is na spéarthaí go hard Ach ar bharr na dtonnta is fá bhéal na trá Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh is í i ndiaidh an Éirne shnámh

- Áine

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Philippa
Date: 08 Dec 98 - 10:29 AM

Annraoi - we could make beautiful music together murach mo chuid ghramadaí (anyone else who wants a translation should go to Tadhg MacDhonnagain's webste and search for Amhrán na Gaeilgeóir Móir) I'm not sure what you want a tape for. You have an Mhaighdean Mhara, I thought you wanted the tune on audio for other Mudcatters to appreciate

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From:
Date: 08 Dec 98 - 09:50 AM

or "Ged is maighdean mhara i" = although SHE is a mermaid - just use í instead of mí

and 'is' is right, not 'gur' - I tend to mix up my Irish and Scots Gaelic

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Annraoi
Date: 07 Dec 98 - 09:11 PM

a Philippa, Tá an ceart agat, "i ndiaidh" an leagan ceart. I love all musicians and those of a sensitive and appreciative nature. If you're a singer, we could make beautiful music together. Watch for "Mo Ghile Mear." Of course, you could always send an audio tape to my home if you wish. Contact me by e-mail if you want, you have my address.

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara -correction
From: Philippa
Date: 07 Dec 98 - 05:59 PM

for the Scottish song, first installment, I just pasted in the translation as it appears on a site for lyrics of the Sioda album ( a very good collection altogether - I recommend the recording - MacMeanma, Isle of Skye, Scotland). But "Ged gur maighdean mhara mi" - means "although I am a mermaid" not "although you are a mermaid" some say it's the song of the seal maiden who has gone back to the sea, some say it's the song of her deserted lover. Maybe the words of both are represented in different verses - the reference to trickery in the chorus would seem to belong to the human who didn't know his lover was a seal and would have to leave him.

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Philippa
Date: 07 Dec 98 - 11:31 AM

last line - change 'in dhiaidh' to 'i ndiaidh' (unless Annraoi subsequently vetoes my auto-correction. Glad he thinks the song is so beautiful, but what a public site for declarations of love, a thaisce!)

sorry, I keep seeing these notices about learning MIDI, but so far I haven't used audio on a computer at all. I could do an abc, but it would take me some time to work it out. It would be nice to have a piano keyboard on which to play notes into the computer.

Subject: RE: Maighdean Mhara
From: Annraoi
Date: 06 Dec 98 - 05:08 PM

Mo ghrá go deo thú, a Philippa !! Tá sin ar na hamhráin is deise dár chuala mé 'riamh fá bhruacha na Rosann. Lovely song. Fair play to you for putting out the words. Pity you couldn't provide the tune as well preferably in Real Audio.

Subject: Lyr Add: AN MHAIGHDEAN MHARA
From: Philippa
Date: 06 Dec 98 - 01:20 PM

Here's a different song, in Irish Gaelic, about a mermaid. It's been recorded by Clannad and by Altan. The verses are a brief conversation between the sea-woman (a seal) and the human children she's left on the shore.

AN MHAIGHDEAN MHARA

Is cosúil gur mheath tú nó gur threig tú an greann;
Tá an sneachta go frasach fá bhéal na n-áitheann,
Do chúl buí daite 's do bhéilín sámh,
Siúd chugaibh Máirí Chinidh
's í 'ndiaidh 'n Éirne 'shnámh.

a Máithrín mhilis dúirt Máire Bhán.
Fá bhruach a' chladaigh 's fá bhéal na trá,
'S maighdean mhara mo mháithrín ard
Siúd chugaibh Máirí Chinidh
's í 'ndiaidh 'n Éirne 'shnámh.

Tá mise tuirseach agus beidh go lá
Mo Mháire bhruinngheal 's mo Phádraig bán,
Ar bharr na dtonna 's fá bhéal na trá,
Siúd chugaibh Máirí Chinidh
's í in dhiaidh an Éirne a shnámh

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 4-Jul-02.

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Click for tune

Subject: Lyr Add: ORAN NA MAIGHDEANN-MHARA / MERMAID'S SONG
From: Philippa
Date: 06 Dec 98 - 07:12 AM

This song was mentioned in the thread on the each-uisge/water-horse/kelpie song. I can also add an Irish language song on the same theme - next time I visit Mudcat./this transcription is from Ishbel MacAskill's album "Sioda". Ishbel hails from the Lewis, Western Isles, Scotland.

ORAN NA MAIGHDEANN-MHARA

A mach air bharr nan stuagh ri gaillinn
Fuachd is feannadh fad o thir
Bha mo ghaol dhut daonnan fallain
Ged is maighdeann-mhara mi

U-bha is na hoireann u bha
U-bha is na hoireann i
U-bha is na hoireann u bha
'S ann le foill a mheall thu mi

Chan eil mo chadal-sa ach luaineach
Nuair bhios buaireas air an t-sid
Bha mi'n raoir an Coire Bhreacain
Bidh mi nochd an Eilean I

Seall is faic an grunnd na fairge
Uamhan airgid 's oir gun dith
Lainnearachd chan fhaca suil e
Ann an cuirt no luchairt righ

THE MERMAID'S SONG

Out on the waves in a storm,
Desperate cold, and far from land
My love for you remained true
Although you were a mermaid.

U-bha is na hoireann u bha
U-bha is na hoireann i
U-bha is na hoireann u bha
You deceived me with your trickery.

My sleep is restless
When the weather is in turmoil
Last night I was in Corrievreckan
Tonight I will be on the Isle of Iona.

Look, behold the seabed
Silver caves and gold aplenty,
Glistening, and never seen
In a king's court or palace.

-I'm told 'Coire Bhreacainn' is a whirlpool in the north end of the Sound of Jura, between Jura and Scarba

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 4-Jul-02.