Cailín Deas Crúite na mBó (Traditional Irish Cover)

A little video I whipped up in anticipation of St. Pat’s Day, complete with an attempt at English translation subtitles and a couple photos from my 2015 trip to Ireland!

This is another traditional song in Irish (you know me, I love those!) dating back to the 18th century, detailing the reflection of a man who is in love with a milkmaid.

While researching this song, I found an intriguing story surrounding this song, the truth of which I can neither confirm nor deny. I read a story on a question and answer forum about a priest who was called to administer last rites to a man, and on his journey stopped to listen to a woman singing this song, making him later than expected; so late, in fact, that the man he was supposed to give last rites to had already died, prompting superstitions that the woman singing as a demon/evil spirit/etc. Again, I can’t vouch for the authenticity of this, but it seemed like an interesting tidbit to include!

Irish:
Tá bliain is níos mó agam ag éisteacht
Le cogar doilíosach mo mheoin
Ó casadh liom gra gheal mo chléibhe
Tráthnóna beag déanach sa bhFómhar
Bhí an bhó bhainne cumhra ag géimeach
Is na héanlaith go meidhreach le cheol
Is ar bhruach an t-srutháin ar leath-thaobh díom
Bhí an cailín deas crúite na mbó

Tá a súile mar lonradh na gréine
Ag scaipeadh tré spéarthaibh an cheoidh
Is is deirge a grua ná na caortha
Ar lasadh i measc craobha na gcnoc
Tá a béilín níos milse ná sméartha
Is is gile ná leamhnacht a snó
Níl óigbhean níos deise sa tsaol so
Ná an cailín deas crúite na mbó

Dá bhfaighinnse árd Tiarnas na hÉireann
Éadacha, síoda is sróil
Dá bhfaighinnse an bhanríon is airde
Dá bhfuil ar an dtalamh so beo
Dá bhfaighinnse céad loingis mar spré dhom
Píoláidi, caisleáin is ór
Bfhearr liom bheith fán ar na sléibhte
Lem chailín deas crúite na mbó

Muna bhfuil sé i ndán dom bheith in éineacht
Leis an spéirbhean ró-dhílis úd fós
Is daoirseach, dubhrónach mo shaolsa
Gan suaimhneas, gan éifeacht, gan treo
Ní bheidh sólás im chroí ná im intinn
Ná suaimhneas orm oíche ná ló
Nó bhfeice mé taobh liom óna muintir
Mo cailín deas crúite na mbó

English:

I am listening for more than a year
To my mind's melancholy whispering
Since I met the bright love of my heart
One evening late in autumn
The cow of the fragrant-smelling milk was lowing
And the birds were merry with song
And on the bank of the stream by my side
Was the pretty milkmaid

Her eyes are like the shining sun
Dispersing the mist through the skies
And her cheeks are redder than the rowan trees
Alight among the branches on the hill
Her mouth is sweeter than blackberries
And her complexion brighter than new milk
There is not a lovelier young woman in the world
Than the pretty milkmaid

If I were to receive High Lordship of Ireland
Clothing of silk or satin
Or the highest queen that there is
Alive in this world
If I received a hundred ships as a dowry
Palaces, castles and gold
I would prefer to be wandering the hillsides
With my pretty milkmaid

If it is not in store for me to be together
With that too-faithful beauty as yet
It is limited and sad my life will be
Without peace, without merit, without direction
There will be no consolation in my heart or my mind
I will have no rest by night or day
Til I see by my side away from her people
My pretty milkmaid

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Lyrics and translation are courtesy of songsinirish.com, with some alteration in the video subtitles.

Arrangement loosely based on that of Danú.

Keep up to date with Brynne Santos Music!

Official site: www.brynnesantos.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brynne-Santos-107807447523155
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brynnesantosmusic/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/brynne-santos?fbclid=IwAR0H6jrzwDPEbdn5VkbTKAXMc3abrulZSaupNqdvMptedU9TdbEWm275A8U

#celticharp #vocalist #traditionalirishmusic #harp #harpist #irishmusic #irishsinger #irishsongs #traditionalmusic #stpatricksday2021

Видео Cailín Deas Crúite na mBó (Traditional Irish Cover) канала Brynne Santos