9. Taobh na Carraige Báine
Learned from the singing of ‘Jack
Dickeen’ Nagle of Ballyheragh, Liscannor, one of the last remaining
native Irish speakers in the area. Micho also recalls his mother singing
it. A version which was collected in Danganelly (near Cooraclare) was
published, with music, in ‘Ireland’s Own’ on March 9th,
1929 (p. 222).
‘Taobh (or “Bruach”) na Carraige Báine’
is one of the most popular of the macaronic, (i.e. bi-lingual) songs found
throughout the country. A version of the tune is used also for ‘A
Stór Mo Chroí’ which one hears in this county as a
song and as a slow air.
1
Maidin go moch gur eíríos amach
I bhfad amach sa bhFómhar
Cé dhearcas chugam ach an cúilfhionn deas
Agus bhí sí féin a’ comhrá.
Bhí sí siúd geal dearg’s deas
Bhí a grua mar na rósaí
Is é dúirt sí liom nuair a dhruid sí chugam
Ná: “Stad, is bhí i’ do chonaí.”
2
One morning fair as I roved out
To view the valleys around me.
A charming maid I chanced to spy
As she was coming against me.
Dark and rosy were her cheeks,
The dew sprinkled her easy.
I took this fair maiden by the hand
And she sez: “Young man, go aisy.”
3
Is treabhadóir mise ar fheabhas na cruinne
Mar is maith ’tá a fhios ag mo chomharsan.
Is mó páirc mhór a threabhas ’s a chuireas
Is mé i dtogha mo shláinte.
Do bhainfinn féar ar thaobh an chnoic,
Do dhéanfainn cruach ’s stáca,
Do rincfinn ríl le rún mo chroí
Ar thaobh na Carraige Báine.
4
I am a ploughboy my seed it is good
And that well known to the farmers.
Many the field that ever I ploughed
And that without much labour.
I’d plough, I’d sow, I’d reap and mow,
I’d gather it all into your barn.
I’d sweep the floor and dance with you
On the banks of Carraige Báine.
5
’S b’fhearr liom féin ná ór an tsaoil
Ná saibhreas rí na Fraince
Go bhfeicfinn féin ar mhaithe an tsaoil
Mise ’gus tusa pósta.
Go mbeidh mise ’gus tusa pósta
Le cead ár n-athair is máthair.
A mhaighdean óg is milse póg
Ar thaobh na Carraige Báine.
6
I’d rather then, than all the store
And all the golden treasures,
’Bove all the fields that ever I ploughed
You and I to be together.
You and I to be fairly wed
By the consent of our parents.
I’d kiss you, sweet, and call you dear
And love you as one of the fairest.
