Seal go rabhas im' mhaighdean shéimh
anois im bhaintreach chaite thréith
mo chéile a' treabhadh na dtonn go tréan
de bharr na gcnoc 's in imigéin
Chorus:
'sé mo laoch mo ghile mear
'sé mo shaesar gile mear
suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin
ó luadh i gcéin mo ghile mear
ní labhrann cuach go suairc ar nóin
is níl guth gadhair i gcoillte cnó
ná maidin shamhraidh i gcleanntaibh ceoigh
ó d'imthigh uaim an buachaill beó
(chorus)
marcach uasal uaibhreach óg
gas gan gruaim is suairce snódh
glac is luaimneach, luath i ngleo
ag teascadh an tslua 's ag tuargain treon
(chorus)
seinntear stair ar chlairsigh cheoil
's líontair táinte cárt ar bord
le hinntinn ard gan chaim, gan cheó
chun saoghal is sláinte d' fhagháil dom leómhan
ghile mear 'sa seal faoi chumha
's eire go léir faoi chlócaibh dubha
suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin
ó luaidh i gcéin mo ghile mear
(chorus twice)
*************************
english translation:
For a while i was a gentle maiden
and now a spent worn-out widow
my spouse ploughing the waves strongly
over the hills and far away
Chorus:
he is my hero, my dashing darling
he is my caesar, dashing darling
i've had no rest from forebodings
since he went far away, my darling
The cuckoo sings not pleasantly at noon
and the sound of hounds is not heard in nut-filled woods
nor summer morning in misty glen
since he went away from me, my lively boy
(chorus)
Noble, proud young horseman
warrior unsaddened, of most pleasant countenace
a swift-moving hand, quick in a fight
slaying the enemy and smiting the strong
(chorus)
Let a strain be played on musical harps
and let many quarts be filled
with high spirit without fault or mist
for life and health to toast my lion
Dashing darling for a while under sorrow
and all ireland under black cloaks
rest or pleasure i did not get
since he went far away, my dashing darling
(chorus twice)