Inis Oírr, in Inis Oírr, ní raibh eolas agam ar fhaitíos
In Inis Oírr, in Inis Oírr, I knew nothing of fear
ná ar aon dólás a stopfadh gáire.
nor of sorrow to stop laughter.
Go dtí an lá duairc úd nuair a sheol mo ghrá uaim.
Until that dark day when my love sailed away.
Tháinig scamall ar an ngrian, ‘s é dorcha ina dhiaidh.
Clouds came over the sun and it was dark thereafter.
Cén fáth ar imigh tú sular spléach an sabhaircín
Why did you go before the primrose peeped out
tríd an bhféar a bhí bán ón ngaoth shearbh-ghoirt?
through the grass faded by the bitter salty wind?
Anseo cois na tine dúinn ba againn a bheadh toil ár gcroí.
Here by the fire we’d have had our hearts’ desire.
Nárbh é an suaimhneas sámh seo ab fhearr dúinn?
Wasn’t it the gentle peace we loved best?
Lá éicint atá ceaptha amach tiocfaidh tú ar ais, a stór,
Someday that’s meant to be, you’ll come back, dear,
do churach ar luas in aghaidh an taoille
your currach speeding with the tide
le toil do mhuintir féin ar chraga Inis Meáin
by the will of your own people on craggy Inis Meáin.
le mo ghalar dúch a leigheas, más féidir é
to cure my deep-dark sickness, if that can be done.
Inis Oírr, in Inis Oírr, ó fanfaidh mé leat ann
Inis Oírr, in Inis Oírr , oh I’ll wait for you there
ag sníomh na mbrionglóid’ de ló ‘s d’oíche
spinning dreams by night and day
go dtí, go mbeidh agat ór ‘s go mbeidh do thaisteal déanta.
until you’ll have gold and your journey done.
Glacfaidh tú mé i do chroí, is tógfaidh sin an cian díom.
You will take me into your heart and make the distance go away.