Celtic Lyrics Corner > Artists & Groups > Domhnaill Family > No Dowry > An Cailín Gaelach

   
No Dowry An Cailín Gaelach
   
Credits: Traditional; arranged by Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill & Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
   
Appears On: No Dowry
   
Language: Gaeilge (Irish Gaelic)
   
Other Versions: "An Cailín Gaelach" on Altan's album Island Angel
   

Lyrics: English Translation:
   
B'áite liom féin 'bheith ar thaobh mhalaí shléibhe I would love to be on the mountainside
Agus cailín gaelach a bheith 'mo chomhair And to be wed to an Irish girl
Bheinn a bréagadh is a' teannadh léithe I would cajole and hug her
Agus dar liom féin, a rún, gur dheas ar ndóigh And I think it would always be nice of course
   
Ag éirí domh féin ar maidin an lae ghil Upon rising at the dawn of a bright day
Is mé gabhail fá'n choill chraobhaigh is mé seoladh bó And going to the thick woods to drive the cows
Tharlaigh domh an spéirbhean 'na suí ar an léana I met a beautiful girl sitting on the green grass
Bhí a fallaing léithi, is í lán de ghnó And her mantle full of nuts
   
D'fhiafraigh mé díthe go ciúin is go ceillí I asked her softly and respectfully
"An nglacfaidh tú pòg uaim, a stór mo chroí?" "Will you take a kiss from me, my own true love?"
D'oscail sí a béilín 'gus labhair sí Bearla She opened her little mouth and she spoke English
'S é dúirt sí, "Pray sir, and let me be" She said, "Pray sir, and let me be"
   
Is nach maith an airí ar na buaibh bheith á santú Don't the cows deserve to be appreciated
Agus bheinnse da seoladh amuigh sa lá And I could be driving them on through the day
Im agus bainne is iad, ar theacht an tSamhraidh From them comes butter and milk through the summer
Is mar gheall ar bhólacht a phóstar mná And it's because of the cows that maidens marry