Seo amhrán a chuir ag caoineadh mé agus beagnach gach duine eile sa phictiúrlann nuair a chonaic mé Song of Granite le déanaí.
Ach cérbh é Lord Randall? Nuair a chloisim an t-ainm sin na laethanta seo, smaoiním ar an diabhal Black Jack Randall in Outlander.
Bhí bailéad leis an ainm sin fadó ó theorainn Shasana/Albain. Comhrá idir an tiarna óg is a mháthair atá ann. Thaisteal an t-amhrán. Tá bailéidí cosúil leis ar fud na hEorpa i go leor teangachaí: Gearmáinis, Danmhairgis, Magiarach (ón Ungair), Gaeilge, Sualannach, Uendis (Slavaic) agus Iodáilis ina measc. San leagan Iodáilis tugtar L’avvelenato (an fear ar tugadh nimh dó) nó Il testamento dell’avvelenato (tiomna an fhir ar tugadh nimh dó). Bhí leagan de leCamillo il Bianchino, i Verona i 1629.
An scéal
Filleann An Tiarna Randall abhaile, áit ina bhfuil a mháthair. Fiafraíonn a mháthair cad a tharla is faigheann sí amach gur thug leannán Randall nimh dó. San amhrán cloistear ar mhaith le Randall a dhéanamh len atá aige sa saol.
San leagan seo, míníonn Joe gur í deirfiúr Lord Randall atá ag cur na ceisteanna ar an bhfear atá ag fáil bháis. Is minic a deirtear ‘dearthairín’ nuair nach dearthair atá i gceist. Amantaí cara atá ann. Seans freisin gurb é a sheanmháthair atá á cheistiú, nó aintín leis.
Leagan de The Star of the County Down atá sa cheol anseo.
Míniú ar an scéal ina fhocail féin ag Joe Heaney:
[…] the story we had: that his newly-married wife that gave him an eel full of poison for his dinner. And that his sister was sitting by his bedside, asking him questions. Where were you all day? Cé raibh tú ó mhaidin, a dhearthairín, ó? And then, What will you leave your father? What will you leave your mother? What will you leave your brother? You know. What will you leave your wife? And he said, Ifreann mar dhúiche aice. Hell to be her land. Flaithis a bheith dúnta uirthi. Heaven to be closed to her.
And then he had two sons, according to this story, too. And she asked him, What will you leave your little sons?Hopping, he said from place to place, begging their food, he said, and ending up with the same way he said I’m dying now.He was bitter, and who wouldn’t be? And this is the way they used to sing it at home:
1. Cá raibh tú ó mhaidin, a dheartháirín, ó? Where have you been since morning, my little brother, oh?
‘S cá raibh tú ó mhaidin, a phlúr na bhfear óg? And where have you been since morning, oh flower of youth?
Bhí mé ag iascach ‘gus ag foghlaeireacht. Cóirigh mo leaba dhom. I was fishing and fowling. Get my bed ready for me.
Tá mé tinn fá mo chroí, agus ligigí dhom luí. My heart is sick and let me lie down.
2. Céard a d’ith tú ar do dhinnéir, a dheartháirín, ó? What did you eat for your dinner, little brother, oh?
‘S céard a d’ith tú ar do dhinnéir, a phlúr na bhfear óg? And what did you eat for your dinner, oh flower of youth?
Óra, eascann a raibh lúib (cor) inti, nimh fuinte ‘gus é brúite uirthi. Oh, eel that had a twist in it, poison kneaded and pressed onto it.
Tá mé tinn fá mo chroí, agus ligigí dhom luí. My heart is sick and let me lie down.
3. Céard a fhágfas tú ag do Dheaide, a dheartháirín, ó? What will you leave your Daddy, little brother, oh?
Céard a fhágfas tú ag do Dheaide, a phlúr na bhfear óg? What will you leave your Daddy, oh flower of youth?
Óra, eochair mo stábla aige. Sin ‘gus mo láir aige. Oh, the key to the stable. That and my mare.
Tá mé tinn fá mo chroí, agus ligigí dhom luí. My heart is sick and let me lie down.
4. Céard a fhágfas tú ag do dheartháir (dheirfiúr), a dheartháirín, ó?
What will you leave to your brother (sister), little brother, oh?
Céard a fhágfas tú ag do dheartháir (dheirfiúr), a phlúr na bhfear óg?
What will you leave to your brother (sister), oh flower of youth?
Óra, eochair mo thrunca aige (aici). Sin agus míle punt aige (aici). Oh, the key to my truck. That and a thousand pounds.
Tá mé tinn fá mo chroí, agus ligigí dhom luí. My heart is sick and let me lie down.
5. Céard a fhágfas tú ag do chleamhnaithe, a dheartháirín, ó? What will you leave your in-laws, little brother, oh?
Céard a fhágfas tú ag do chleamhnaithe, a phlúr na bhfear óg? What will you leave your in-laws, oh flower of youth?
Fuacht fada ‘gus seachrán agus oíche ar gach bothán. Long periods of coldness and straying and night with no shelter.
Tá mé tinn fá mo chroí, agus ligigí dhom luí. My heart is sick and let me lie down.
6. Céard a fhágfas tú ag do mháthair, a dheartháirín,ó? What will you leave your mother, little brother, oh?
‘S céard a fhágfas tú ag do mháthair, a phlúr na bhfear óg? And what will you leave your mother, oh flower of youth?
Dhá bhfágfainn an saol broghach aici, d’fhágfainn croí cráite aice. If I were to leave her to a sullied life, I would only leave her with a tormented heart.
Tá mé tinn fá mo chroí, agus ligigí dhom luí. My heart is sick and let me lie down.
7. Céard a fhágfas tú ag do bhean phósta, a dheartháirín, ó? What will you leave your wife, little brother, oh?
Céard a fhágfas tú ag do bhean phósta, a phlúr na bhfear óg? What will you leave your wife, oh flower of youth?
Óra, ifreann mar dhúiche aici, is na flaithis a bheith dúnta uirthi. Hell for her dwelling-place, heaven to be closed to her.
Tá mé tinn fá mo chroí, agus beidh go deo deo. My heart is sick, and will be forever.
Smaointe is muid ag ceiliúradh Seachtain na Gaeilge. You speak Gaelic, right? Why don’t Irish people speak Irish? Nó as Gaeilge fiú: Cén fáth a mbíonn drogall ar dhaoine Gaeilge a labhairt? Sin na ceisteanna is mó a fhaighim anseo i SAM. Mar sin, le cúrsaí a mhíniú do dhaoine le Béarla a mhúin leagan na himpearachta den stair, tá freagraí uaim dóibh inniu i dteanga na himpireachta ach le tuiscint na nGael.
Spreag an físeán seo ar fad inniu
The ‘initiative’ of Empire as mentioned in the video above was to make the language (Irish) disappear: to demean it, to murder it. Linguicide.
Think about the word ‘demean.’ It was to forcefully, cruelly strip us of our culture, of meaning, and indeed of our very existence until there would be no evidence we were ever here. Our only ‘valid’ meaning would as British ‘civilized’ citizens. The ‘initiative’ was to erase evidence of all that made us Irish, to make us ashamed of being Irish, and hate who we are.
It was to take away the name ‘Irish’ from the language and replace it with ‘Gaelic’ and, in so doing, take away the association of the language with our nation (which was to be assimilated too). It was the planting of the idea that ‘Gaelic’ was obscure: long gone & forgotten. Irish? What’s that? That’s not even a language! That massive crime of Imperialism is still in people’s heads. Some have forgotten the cause of it.
It is a shame that was passed from generation to generation. We need to lose the shame, the fear of being mocked. We need to stop mocking as we were taught to mock. We must recognize racism in our midst and call it out. You haven’t gone all Gaelic, have you! Those are words of derision that slip out of people’s mouths because that’s what was passed down.
John O’Brien wrote an article recently in The Irish Times of his fear of speaking Irish in Ireland: The hardest part was hearing myself speak Irish out loud in front of other Irish people. I feared they would judge my waning ability, or think I was some showy langer. I still feel it, almost six years later whenever I visit home, but I push through. That is the barrier to break: to stop people from demeaning us, to stop the shaming.
It takes a long time for a nation to recover from the trauma of having its identity trampled upon. But it IS happening and it is a joy to watch! We have meaning again. Not as imitations of other people, but as ourselves. Not afraid. We are excited and empowered. Irish is growing as a result of the hard work of many groups such as Conradh na Gaeilge. It is far healthier than it was when this video was made.
Thankfully it is becoming far more common to hear young people speaking with each other naturally in Irish on buses, on trains, in shops. When we don’t need the Pop-Up Gaeltachts as a crutch (as a safe zone) anymore, we will be free. In the meantime, the craic it brings really helps. Despite what is said in the video, Welsh is stronger: a success story. Bless them!
I’m proud to be part of a movement that lets people know that Irish is not dead, not shameful, not inferior. It is a treasure. It is here. WE are still here and sharing the love of the language with all we meet. When the inherited shame is dead, life has a far deeper and real meaning. More and more of us are speaking our language and loving it. That gives meaning to who I am.
Version for those with no Irish. I’ll make handouts.* Full audience participation encouraged.
Oh vun gu bawr nah tee-reh is / e-er fud on down shoh bye
Nah gale eg kon-a / lawv er lawv / e-er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne.
Er ee-ha Auld Land Syne shuh mwij / er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne
Eg kon a-mok leh brohd a-nukt / e-er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne
Version for those le Gaeilge
Ó bhun go barr na tíre is ar fud an domhain seo beidh
Na Gaeil ag canadh lámh ar lámh ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
Ar oíche Auld Lang Syne seo muid, ar oíche Auld Lang Syne
Ag canadh amach le bród anocht ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
Bliain na Gaeilge 2018 linn & seo Auld Lang Syne as Gaeilge le canadh le tús maith a chur leis an mbliain is muid ag casadh ar Oíche Chinn Bhliana.
Liricí:
1.
Ó bhun go barr na tíre is ar fud an domhain seo beidh
Na Gaeil ag casadh lámh ar lámh ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
Curfá
Ar oíche Auld Lang Syne seo muid, ar oíche Auld Lang Syne
Ag casadh amach anocht le bród ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
2.
Ó Mhumhain go Gaillimh ‘s ar aghaidh ó Thuaidh agus ‘fud fad Chúige Laighean
Beidh glór ón Daingean uasal libh ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
Leagan eile ar 2: Ó Mhumhain go Connacht, Uladh go Laighean is fiú amháin thar lear
Beidh glór ann, daingean buan ‘sin libh ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
Seo a bhéas againn:
Véarsa
Ó bhun go barr na tíre is ar fud an domhain seo beidh
From bottom go top of the country and throughout the entire world
Oh vun gu bawr nah tee-reh is / e-er fud on down shoh bye
Na Gaeil ag canadh lámh ar lámh ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
The Gaels a singing hand in hand on the night of Auld Lang Syne.
Nah gale eg kon-a / lawv er lawv / e-er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne.
Curfá
Ar oíche Auld Lang Syne seo muid, ar oíche Auld Lang Syne
On the night of Auld Lang Syne here we are, on the night of Auld Lang Syne
Er ee-ha Auld Land Syne shuh mwij, er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne
Ag canadh amach le bród anocht ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
Singing out with pride tonight on the night of Auld Land Syne
Eg kon a-mok leh brohd a-nukt/ e-er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne
For those who speak neither Irish nor Scots:
So what does Auld Lang Syne mean and what language is it?
Auld Lang Syne means Old Long Since.
The language is Scots (not Scottish), the language of Robbie Burns.
Is it Celtic? No, that’s Scottish: Gàidhlig
Is Scots English? Well, watch below. Settle in. The Vowel Shift is key.
Handout:
Scottish: Deich Naoi Ochd Seachd Sia Còig Ceithir Trì Dhà Aon
Irish : Deich Naoi Ocht Seacht Sé Cúig Ceathair Trí Dó Aon
Manx: Jeih Nuy Hoght Shiaght Shey Queig Kiare Tree Jees Un
English: Ten Nine Eight Seven Six Five Four Three Two One …
Bliadhna Mhaith Ùr. Bliain Mhaith Úr faoi Mhaise. Blein Vie Noa. Happy Hogmanay!
Auld Lang Syne (Old Long Since) Is it right that old times be forgotten?
This is perhaps the most commonly sung version (apart from the Irish verse added here)
Should old acquaintance be forgot & never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot for the sake of Auld Lang Syne?
Chorus: For Auld Lang Syne, my dear, for Auld Lang Syne,
We’ll drink a cup o’ kindness yet for the sake of Auld Lang Syne.
Irish(with English spellings)**
Oh vun gu bawr nah tee-reh is / e-er fud on down shoh bye
Nah gale eg kon-a / lawv er lawv / e-er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne.
Er ee-ha Auld Land Syne shuh mwij / er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne
Eg kon a-mok leh brohd a-nukt / e-er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet for the sake of Auld Lang Syne.
We two have run about the slopes and picked the daisies fine.
But we’ve wandered many a weary footsince Auld Lang Syne.
We two have paddled in the streamfrom morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roaredsince Auld Lang Syne.
And there’s a hand my trusty friend and give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught for Auld Lang Syne.
Last time!
(Join hands (crossed) in a big circle. At the end of this verse run to the middle with hands still crossed. When the circle is re-established, everyone turns under the arms to end up facing outwards with hands still joined.)
Should old acquaintance be forgot & never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot for the sake of Auld Lang Syne?
For Auld Lang Syne, my dear, for Auld Lang Syne,
We’ll drink a cup o’ kindness yet for the sake of Auld Lang Syne.
Bliadhna Mhaith Ùr. Bliain Mhaith Úr faoi Mhaise. Blein Vie Noa. Happy Hogmanay!
Donas Amach! Sonas Isteach!
Badness out! Happiness in!
**Meaning of Irish verse
From bottom go top of the country and throughout the entire world
The Gaels [are] a singing hand in hand on the night of Auld Lang Syne.
On the night of Auld Lang Syne here we are, on the night of Auld Lang Syne
Singing out with pride tonight on the night of Auld Land Syne.
Irish (Irish Spellings first)
Ó bhun go barr na tíre is ar fud an domhain seo beidh
Oh vun gu bawr nah tee-reh is / e-er fud on down shoh bye
Na Gaeil ag canadh lámh ar lámh ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
Nah gale eg kon-a / lawv er lawv / e-er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne.
Ar oíche Auld Lang Syne seo muid, ar oíche Auld Lang Syne
Ere ee-ha Auld Land Syne shuh mwij, er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne
Ag canadh amach le bród anocht ar oíche Auld Lang Syne.
Eg kon a-mok leh brohd a-nukt / e-er ee-ha Auld Lang Syne
2. Leagan ó 2017 ► 2018
Iomlán as Gaeilge
Anocht ar fud an domhain go léir
Soir, siar is bun go barr
Ag canadh lámh ar lámh, na Gaeil
ar oíche Auld Lang Syne
Cúrfa:
Go maire cuimhne ár ngrá, a chroí
Go maire cuimhne ár ngrá,
Nach n-ólfaidh muid ár sláinte arís
ar oíche Auld Lang Syne
Ó Mhumhain go Gaillimh
is ar aghaidh ó thuaidh
agus fud fad Chúige Laighean
Beidh glór an Daingin buailte libh
ar oíche Auld Lang Syne
Go maire cuimhne ár ngrá, a chroí
Go maire cuimhne ár ngrá,
Nach n-ólfaidh muid ár sláinte arís
ar oíche Auld Lang Syne
Go maire cuimhne ár ngrá, a chroí
Go maire cuimhne ár ngrá,
Nach n-ólfaidh muid ár sláinte arís
