Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)

02 Aug 16 - 08:32 PM (#3803289)
Subject: Lyr Add: Chnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: keberoxu

This is an exceptionally tuneful melody, I can imagine someone whistling it.

CHNOCÁINÍN AERACH CILL MHUIRE

[traditional; collected by P.W.Joyce and, later, Diarmaid Ó Muirithe]

CURFA? There is one -- I don't have the text though.

1. Is buachaillín mise do shiúlaigh a lán
    Ag cur tuairisc na háite is b'fhearr ionad
    I múineadh in iompar i gclú cheart 's i gcáil
    I mbéasa i dtréithe is i miotal

    Ní heol dom aon chúige nó dúnbhaile breá
    Dá bhfacasa im' shiúlta ba shúgaí le rá
    Níor luigh ariamh mo shúil ar aon dúiche chomh breá
    Leis an áit úd a nglaotar Cill Mhuire air
(CURFA)

2. Ansiúd a bhíonn tionnlach mion cholúr is faoileán
    An chéirseach fraoigh chearca is druide
    Ar ghéagaibh ina slaodaibh ag géilleadh faoi bhláth
    Is gur mhéin liom le háireamh a bhfoireann

    Bíonn fuaim ag an gconairt á leagaint chun fiaigh
    Ag traochadh an tsionnaigh is marchaigh ina dhiaidh
    Bíonn adharca a séideadh is na céadta 'Huzza!'
    Ar chnocáinín aerach Cill Mhuire
(CURFA)

3. __________________? go súgach ag dáimh
    Mar a léitear na húdair is cliste
    ?    agus aoibhneas rince agus rás
    Agus ceolta go binn an dá seinm

    Ag gasra groífhear ar gníomh iad le rá
    Ar mhachaire an choimheascair nár stríoc riamh dá namhaid
    Sin deireadh lem' ghníomhartha ach líontar suas cárt
    Go n-ólfaimid sláinte Cill Mhuire

Verses 1 and 2 are on pp. 38 - 39,
Ceolta Gael 2, Mánus Ó Baoill
Dublin: Cló Mercier, 1986
© Réamhrá, tiomsú agus cóiriú Mánus Ó Baoill 1986

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03 Aug 16 - 02:00 PM (#3803392)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Felipa

I wonder why "chnocainín", cnocainín means a hillock, a little hill,and is grammatically masculine - an cnocainín = the hillock.

D O Muirthile mainly researched old manuscripts and broadsheets.
Here is a bilingual song with most of the same lines as given in the first post but featuring a cailín (lassie) rather than a buachaill (laddy)
http://tionscnaimh.fng.ie/index.php?fng_function=4&fng_file=L227.TXT
from Diarmaid O Muirthile's An t-Amhrán Macaronach. (same verses repeated in Irish and in English versions to me is not true macaronic):

A NEW SONG CALLED THE FLOURISHING STATES OF KILMURRY

I am a young girl that's given to stroll,
I travelled the most of this kingdom,
To take a full view of each curious abode,
And that was my daily intention.
My rambles are certain to many a place,
I held in my rambles a continual game,
But in all of my strolling I found none so fair
As that place without equal, Kilmurry.

Is cailín beag mise do shiúlaigh a lán
Ag cur tuairisc na háite a b'fhearr ionad,
I múineadh, in iompar, i gclú cheart 's i gcáil
I mbéasa, i dtréithe 's i bhfriotal.
Níl aon chúige in Éirinn na dúnbhaile breá
Dá bhfacasa im' shiúlaibh ba shúgaí le rá,
Is níor luigh riamh mo shúil ar aon dúthaigh chomh breá
Leis an áit úd a nglaonn siad Cill Mhuire air.

Many young heifers does frequent that place,
Pretty fair maids and old wenches,
Expecting to meet with young lads of great fame,
That sprung from the railing of kissing.
It's there you'd see multitudes flocking each day,
From Cashel to Thurles and Charleville blades,
Courting and flailing and making so gay
In the flourishing states of Kilmurry.

Is mó cailín cumtha is cúileann deas mná
Bhíonn ag triall ar an áit ag fáil comthaigh,
Béithe na féile do thaithíos na rakes,
Is go soilbhir a ghéilleann na bruinnill.
Is ann a bhíonn torpaigh ag túirlingt de ghnáth,
Ó Chaiseal go Dúrlas is dúbailt ón Ráth,
Ag cosnaimh an tsúgradh ba dhual don áit,
Is gan dabht ar an áit úd Cill Mhuire.

It's there you'd see clusters well covered in brakes,
The flying of the seagull and pigeon;
Grouse, pheasant and partridge, woodcock and game,
Roses, pinks, daisies and laurels,
A cover for foxes and badgers and hares,
The sound of the horn in chase of such game,
Whipping and cracking by each hearty young rake,
To inherit the states of Kilmurry.

Is ann a bhíonn tionlac colúr is faoileán,
An chéirseach, cearc fraoigh agus druide,
Ar ghéagaibh ina slaodaibh ag géilleadh faoi bhláth,
Is gur fonn liom le háireamh a bhfoireann;
Bíonn fuaim ag an gconairt á leagaint chun fiaigh,
Tallyho leis an sionnach ag na marcaigh ina dhiaidh,
Bíonn adharca á séideadh is na céadta halloa,
Ar chnocáinín aerach Cill Mhuire.

It's there you'd see topers sporting each day,
Drinking and raking and kissing,
And drowning their sorrows like lads of great fame,
With brandy, brown ale and strong whiskey;
If ever you chance for to ramble and roll,
Act as a bold champion abroad and at home,
No longer to tarry but a bottle to drain,
And drink to the rakes of Kilmurry.

Is ann a bhíonn cúinne go súgach ag dáimh,
Mar a léitear na húdair is cliste,
Spórt agus aoibhneas, rince agus rás,
Agus ceolta go binn ann dá seinm
Ag gasra groífhear ar gníomh iad le rá
Ar mhachaire an choimheascair nár stríoc riamh dá namhaid,
Sin deireadh lem' ghníomhartha, ach líontar suas cárt
Go n-ólfaimid sláinte Chill Mhuire.

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03 Aug 16 - 02:42 PM (#3803398)
Subject: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Felipa

notes on the area and video of Séamus O Beaglaíoch singing Cnocáinín Aerach Cill Mhuire with classical style guitar played by Tim Edey https://niallmurraycork.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/cnocainin-aerach-cill-mhuire/
also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u76ncK8Ux6s&index=28&list=PL4946BD0CA7AF57EC

when I hear this tune, I think of Gilbert and Sullivan "tit willow" - it's not the same, but ...

O Muithile's source: http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/search/title/A%20new%20song%20called%20the%20Flourishing%20states%20of%20Kilmurry
see also page 47 of this scrapbook http://www.itma.ie/digitallibrary/book/ballad-sheet-scrapbook-1-part-1

I hadnt heard English language versions before -
The Wee Aery Hill of Kilmurrry (Golden Bough) http://mp3songpreview.com/golden-bough-the-airy-wee-hill-of-kilmurray_mp3-song-download-1363009
(also - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI1ZagDsTmo but video not available, at least not in my region)

I don't know whether or not Dennis Doyle's Kilmurray Hill is a version of the same song; I don't have access to the service at http://tidido.com/a35184373985672/al55f06d32a5f39075732b6096/t55f06d34a5f39075732b6189

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03 Aug 16 - 03:42 PM (#3803411)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Felipa

another tune similarity that never struck me before, trending sublime to ridiculous but no more far fetched than "tit willow"
Boozing

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03 Aug 16 - 05:12 PM (#3803421)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: keberoxu

As posted in the second message on this thread, Ó Muirthile's edition, as reproduced at the Foclóir Na Nua-Ghaeilge website, does indeed give the spelling 'chnocáinín.'
Unfortunately, so does Mánus Ó Baoill on page 39, in Ceolta Gael 2.

The brothers De Barra, however, agree with Felipa. It is from their recording that I encountered the Cill Mhuire song, words and music both; and on their CD album, "An Caitín Bán," their spelling is "Cnocáinín Aerach Cill Mhuire."
Regrettably, I know of no online file for any tracks from their album, #DEBCD001, which I bought from online retailer CD World Ireland.

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03 Aug 16 - 11:06 PM (#3803455)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Felipa

in An t-Amhrán Macarónach, O Muirthile has "ar chnocainín ...", "on the hillock...." so the "h" is added to indicate aspiration or lenition after the preposition "ar"; but that is a line in the song, not the title of the song.

O Muirthile righted the spelling from the ballad sheet, it is hard to make head or tail of the likes of "eir chuukapeon crach Chilvurra"!

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03 Aug 16 - 11:32 PM (#3803456)
Subject: RE: Ar Chnocainin Aerach Chill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Felipa

you could call the song "ar chnocáinín aerach ..." but "chnocáinín aerach" without a preceding preposition wouldnt be right. If Cill is lenited it would be because of being in genitive case, little hill OF Cill Mhuire.
example "coill Chill Mhuire" Kilmurry/Cill Mhuire wood , "Contae Chill Dara", County kildare/Cill Dara


http://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=310 -- biography of Seán O Cadhla, teacher, 1860-1942. His mother Máire Nic Chonmara was from Kilmurry, Co Clare and it's part of the family tradition that someone from their family composed 'Cnocáinín Aerach Chill Mhuire'

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04 Aug 16 - 08:33 AM (#3803494)
Subject: RE: Cnocainin Aerach Chill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Felipa

I would say "Cnocáinín Aerach Chill Mhuire" is the best spelling. I have heard this song sung live at sessions and gigs and when I asked what the song is called, or when I hummed the tune and said "what song goes to that tune," the people I asked simply said "Cill Mhuire"

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04 Aug 16 - 09:14 AM (#3803500)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Felipa

I found a very interesting (to keberoxu and me at least) page on Radio Teilifis Eireann archives but got a failure message when I tried to play sound http://www.rte.ie/archives/2013/0213/367559-unesco-world-radio-day/

"To mark UNESCO World Radio Day, RTÉ Archives takes a look back to the first day of radio broadcasting in Ireland with the opening of 2RN on the 1st January 1926.

On 1 Jan 1926 at 7.45 2RN, the first Irish radio station, went on the air from a studio on Little Denmark Street, Dublin. Dr. Douglas Hyde was there to officially open the radio station. At the opening night, the army number one band played a selection of music arranged by Colonel Fritz Brase. It contains a recording of the first Director of Broadcasting, Séamus Clandillon, singing 'Cnocáinín Aerach Chill Mhuire'.

This report is taken from a programme '50 Years of Irish Radio', from 1975, on the opening of 2RN on the 1st January 1926.

The accompanying image shows the 2RN Control Room in 1926.

Jimmy Mahon is pictured at the control desk in the control room of 2RN in Little Denmark Street, Dublin. He is using Marconi battery operated equipment with A+ B amplifiers. Jimmy Mahon is presenter Pat Kenny's uncle."

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04 Aug 16 - 10:42 AM (#3803521)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: leeneia

Hello, keberoxu. I liked the melody too.

Here's a link to a YouTube video of the song by Seamus Begley:

Begley

I've made a MIDI of it and will ask Joe to post it here. The original is in F#, and I believe I'll change that.

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Click to play (joeweb)

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04 Aug 16 - 05:27 PM (#3803596)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

FWIW - I agree with Felipa's analysis.

Regards

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05 Aug 16 - 02:06 PM (#3803740)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: GUEST,keberoxu

THANK YOU JOE!

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05 Aug 16 - 05:12 PM (#3803763)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: keberoxu

Dennis Doyle's Kilmurry Hill, just listened to it online: AFFIRMATIVE.
It is the same melody.

Have now listened to the studio recording of
Séamus Ó Beaglaíoch / Seamus Begley singing the song. Like the brothers De Barra, his version has a chorus following each verse. I have not posted the chorus to this thread, because I cannot locate the chorus in print for some reason.

My attempt to play the RTE player also generated a failure message.

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07 Aug 16 - 01:23 AM (#3803970)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Joe Offer

Leeneia sent me a MIDI a few days ago, and I lost track of her email. Sorry, Leeneia'

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Click to play (joeweb)

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07 Aug 16 - 06:15 AM (#3803994)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: leeneia

Thanks, Joe.

I find that Google Chrome won't play the file, but Internet Explorer will.

(Sorry if this is a duplicate message. Mudcat is acting funny.)

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07 Aug 16 - 04:18 PM (#3804060)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: keberoxu

How do we locate the lyrics to the chorus? I'm the last person on earth who can identify the Gaelic text by ear from the recordings.

The chorus is a quatrain, four lines. The first line sounds like

"is 'o-ro-way o-ro-way' buachaillin brea"....

while the forth and final line sounds very like the line that concludes the final verse:

"go n-ólfaimid sláinte Chill Mhuire."

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07 Aug 16 - 04:54 PM (#3804068)
Subject: RE: Cnocainin Aerach Chill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Felipa

O Baoill, Ceolta Gael 2 uses the short title "Cill Mhuire"

you can also listen at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/debarra track 7

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/chrismaire track 12 - clip only (Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman)

sample clip (or purchase download) of https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cnoc%C3%A1in%C3%ADn-Aerach-Chill-Mhuire/dp/B003IAMUM0 of Cnocáinín Aerach Chill Mhuire performed by
Tomás Ó Súilleabháin & Seán Ó Riada From the Album Ceolta Éireann (Songs & Airs of Ireland (you probably have to look up a link for whatever country you are in.)

young Shona White singshttp://www.rusheenns.ie/wordpress/?p=1347

De Barra and Máire Ní Chathasaigh both sing Cill Mhuire faster than I've heard it sung live - or than Tomás O Súilleabháin or Séamus O Beaglaíoch or Shona White sings it. I prefer the Séamus O Beaglaíoch and Tim Edey recording (two links in previous threads, or look it up on youtube).

Maybe someone with Irish and with better ears and sound system than I have can pick out all the words of the chorus. If you can find a (library)copy of Pádraic Breathnach Ceol ár Sinséar, 1923, maybe the lyrics there include chorus.

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07 Aug 16 - 05:24 PM (#3804076)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

Apologies for the clumsy HTML.

Regards

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07 Aug 16 - 06:40 PM (#3804085)
Subject: RE: Cnocainin Aerach Chill Mhuire
From: Felipa

the one phrase in the chorus that stood out to me was "Ba chóir dom a rá" (I should say, end of third line); I get some other words but not enough to make sense of the chorus. If no one else contributes the words to Mudcat, I'll just have to wait until I meet someone who knows the chorus...

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21 Aug 16 - 03:41 PM (#3806113)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: keberoxu

So far, we have these puzzle pieces for the song's chorus.

Curfa:


Is ********** ********** buachaillín breá
Is ********** ********** ******* ********
**** ****** ******** ba chóir dom a rá
******* n-ólfaimid sláinte Cill Mhuire


Surely there are other Mudcatters out there with more pieces to this little jigsaw puzzle?

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22 Aug 16 - 11:52 AM (#3806195)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: GUEST,Felipa

Seosaimhin Ni Bheaglaioch sent me a scan from an unidentified songbook which appears to be for use in schools. The title given in this instance is "Moladh Chill Mhuire" (in praise of Cill Mhuire) and the first lines are from a girl (is caili/n beag mise). But alas, again there are three verses and no chorus. The notes say the author is unknown but the song appears to be from 18th century Co Cork. And yes, there is a Kilmurray in Co Cork as well as in Co Clare.

some lines of the song, as given in this document, are a bit different than given previously in this thread; for instance, second verse begins "Is ann do bhi/onn tuirling mioncholu/r is faoilea/n" (the / should be above the proceeding vowel)

I havent listened to any recordings since I last wrote on this discussion thread.

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25 Aug 16 - 11:04 AM (#3806735)
Subject: RE: Cnocainin Aerach Chill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: GUEST,Felipa

Is òrö ôrô bhuachaillin breà
Oro oro è sîn chugam do lâimh
Tá an jug ar an mbòrd
Is na chòir é 'bheith lán
Go n-olfaimîs sláinte Chill Mhuire

(there's a jug on the table and it ought to be full, let's drink a toast to Cill Mhuire)

thanks again to Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaíoch. I don't have headset with me (at library) so can't check these lyrics against the audial recordings online)

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26 Aug 16 - 11:04 AM (#3806877)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: leeneia

Thanks, Felipa. That sounds about right.

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09 Feb 17 - 05:59 AM (#3837733)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire
From: GUEST,Liam - Tiobraid Árann

CHNOCÁINÍN AERACH CILL MHUIRE
1. Is buachaillín mise do shiúlaigh a lán
    Ag cur tuairisc na háite is b'fhearr ionad
    I múineadh in iompar i gclú cheart 's i gcáil
    I mbéasa i dtréithe is i dtuiscint

    Ní heol dom aon chúige nó dúnbhaile breá
    Dá bhfaca im' shiúlta ba shúgaí le rá
    Níor luigh ariamh mo shúil ar aon dúiche chomh breá
    Leis an áit úd a nglaotar Cill Mhuire air
(Curfá)
Is Hóró é, Hóró é a bhuachaillín bhreá
Hóró é, Hóró é, sín chugham do láimh.
Tá jug ar an mbord is ba chóir é bheith lán
Go nólfaimis sláinte Chill Mhuire.
2. Ansiúd a bhíonn tionnlach mion cholúr is faoileán
    An chéirseach fraoigh chearca is druide
    Ar ghéagaibh ina slaodaibh ag géilleadh faoi bhláth
    Is gur mhéin liom le háireamh a bhfoireann
    Bíonn fuaim ag an gconairt á leagaint chun fiaigh
    Ag traochadh an tsionnaigh is marchaigh ina dhiaidh
    Bíonn adharca a séideadh is na céadta 'Huzza!'
    Ar chnocáinín aerach Cill Mhuire

3. Ansiúd a bhíonn cúinse go súgach ag dáimh
    Mar a léitear na húdair is cliste
    Bíonn ól agus aoibhneas rince agus rás
    Agus ceolta go binn an dá seinm
   Bíonn gasra groífhear gur gníomh iad le rá
    Ar mhachaire an choimheascair nár stríoc riamh dá namhaid
    Sin deireadh lem' ghníomhartha ach líontar suas cárt
    Go n-ólfaimid sláinte Cill Mhuire

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09 Feb 17 - 10:09 AM (#3837781)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: keberoxu

This is grand! We finally got all of it.
Thank you one and all.

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09 Feb 17 - 05:24 PM (#3837866)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: leeneia

I have made a new version of the tune, one that's in 3/4 time instead of 6/8. It seems to match the mood better. It's a pretty melody, but requires a deft hand on the accompaniment, if any.

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09 Feb 17 - 08:45 PM (#3837894)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: AmyLove

I'm not sure how this fits in, but there's a listing at the National Library of Ireland for a musical score of the song with Earnán De Regge listed as the main creator:

Cnocáinín aerach Chill Mhuire

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13 Feb 17 - 06:49 AM (#3838612)
Subject: RE: Cnocainin Aerach Chill Mhuire & translation
From: Felipa

We've already got a translation in the bilingual version of the song, but here is a more literal translation by Risteard Mac Gabhann:

I'm a little fellow who has journeyed a lot
Looking for the best of all places
For manners, behaviour, reputation and fame
For practices, characteristics and mettle.
I know of no province or fine secure town
Of all I've seen in my travels, more merry,
My eye has never beheld a district so fine,
As that place they call Cill Mhuire

(chorus)
and óró é óró, fine lad,
And óró é óró, stretch over to me your hand,
There's a jug on the table and it ought to be full,
That we may drink the health of Cill Mhuire.

[Is ann a bhíonn tionlac' ...]
It is there that small birds and gulls,
The blackbird, pheasant and starling,[gather]
In great hosts on blossoming branches that yield under so much
That I would like to count their numbers.
The hound pack is baying as it is let out to the hunt,
Exhausting the fox with riders after it,
There is much blowing of horns and hunreds of huzzas,
On the pleasnt little hill of Cill Mhuire.

There is too a merry corner for the artistic set.
Where the cleverst authros are read,
They have drinking and pleasure, dancing and racing,
And music there played sweetly,
There's a team of stout men that defy description,
Who, on the field of conflict, have never bowed to their enemy.
That's the end of my deeds, but let beer be poured for us,
So that we may drink the health of Cill Muire.
----
note that the bilingual version (2nd post in this discussion) has 4 verses; the second verse of that text is given by Liam or by Risteard. The following verse, about birds and hunting, is rather embellished in the poetic translation on the broadsheet "Roses, pinks, daisies and laurels,A cover for foxes and badgers and hares." The flowers, badgers and hares are not specified in the Irish lines about flourishing branches.

--- another recording of Cill Mhire is Tomás Ó Súilleabháin on "Ceolta Éireann" Gael Linn CEFCD001

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17 Sep 23 - 09:17 AM (#4181833)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Thompson

Thomas Ashe, the golden-haired cousin of Gregory Peck, is described as singing this in Richmond Barracks after the Easter Rising in 1916:

Ashe had a nice singing voice, and I remember well the two songs he sang on that occasion. The first was a song in Gaelic called, in English, "Kilmurry", and the other was a popular favourite of his called "The Colleen by the Lee"

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17 Sep 23 - 09:17 AM (#4188030)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cnocainin Aerach Cill Mhuire (Kilmurry)
From: Thompson

Thomas Ashe, the golden-haired cousin of Gregory Peck, is described as singing this in Richmond Barracks after the Easter Rising in 1916:

Ashe had a nice singing voice, and I remember well the two songs he sang on that occasion. The first was a song in Gaelic called, in English, "Kilmurry", and the other was a popular favourite of his called "The Colleen by the Lee"

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