This beautiful ballad has long been one of my favorite songs of Ireland. I first fell in love with it as part of “Mary O’Hara’s ireland:”
Later, my wife introduced me to The High Kings, who performed an abridged but no less pleasing version:
There are numerous spellings of the lyrics out there, but I have chosen to use the one that appears on O’Hara’s recording.
| Aréir is mé téarnamh um’ neoin Ar an dtaobh thall den teóra ‘na mbím, Do théarnaig an spéir-bhean im’ chómhair D’fhág taomanach breóite lag sinn. Do ghéilleas dá méin is dá cló, Dá béal tanaí beó mhilis binn, Do léimeas fé dhéin dul ‘na cómhair, Is ar Éirinn ní n-eósfhainn cé hí. |
Last night as I strolled abroad On the far side of my farm I was approached by a comely maiden Who left me distraught and weak. I was captivated by her demeanour and shapeliness By her sensitive and delicate mouth, I hastened to approach her But for Ireland I’d not tell her name. |
| Dá ngéilleadh an spéir-bhean dom’ ghlór, Siad ráidhte mo bheól a bheadh fíor; Go deimhin duit go ndéanfainn a gnó Do léirchur i gcóir is i gcrich. Dó léighfinn go léir stair dom’ stór, ‘S ba mhéinn liom í thógaint dom chroí, ‘S do bhearfainn an chraobh dhi ina dóid, Is ar Éirinn ní n-eósfhainn cé hí. |
If only this maiden heeded my words, What I’d tell her would be true. Indeed I’d devote myself to her And see to her welfare. I would regale her with my story And I longed to take her to my heart Where I’d grant her pride of place But for Ireland I’d not tell her name. |
| Tá spéir-bhruinneal mhaordha dheas óg Ar an taobh thall de’n teóra ‘na mbím. Tá féile ‘gus daonnacht is meóin Is deise ró mhór ins an mhnaoi, Tá folt lei a’ tuitim go feóir, Go cocánach ómarach buí. Tá lasadh ‘na leacain mar rós, Is ar Éirinn ní n-eósfhainn cé hí. |
There is a beautiful young maiden On the far side of my farm Generosity and kindness shine in her face With the exceeding beauty of her countenance. Her hair reaches to the ground Sparkling like yellow gold; Her cheeks blush like the rose But for Ireland I’d not tell her name. |
There are other versions out there, no less pretty; these two are my favorites.
Tá an Sean-Fhaolchú labhairthe.
