From the Irish sean-nós tradition we’ll hear Síle Denvir sing An Sagairtín (The Little Priest). And stick around from some lively tunes at the end.

An Sagairtín

‘S nach deas an sagairtín é stór mo chroí,
Nach beannaithe an pobal a dtéann sé thríd
Tá branda ó Mhuire aige ‘gus séala ó Chríost,
Is tá sé triall chun a choláistí.

Tá an oíche seo dorcha is tá sí fuar,
‘Gus tá sí ‘goilliúint ar mo chroí go crua;
Mo stór a d’imigh ‘s nach bhfuil le fáil,
‘S a bhéas a’ goilliúint orm nó go bhfaighidh mé bás.

Ó níl mé tinn agus níl mé slán,
Séard a dúirt mo mhuintir go bhfaighinnse bás
A Dhia ‘s a Chríosta, nach mór an feall,
A bheith i ngrá le mnaoi ‘s gan í a’m le fáil.

Ó éist, a chailín deas is ná sil deoir,
Mar ní dhuitse a rugadh mé ná d’aon bhean beo
Ach baistfidh mé do leanbh dhuit le cúnamh Dé,
‘S dhá mbeadh breith ar maiféal a’m, ba leat mé fhéin.

The Little Priest

And isn’t he the nice priest, the treasure of my heart?
And aren’t the people blessed where he goes?
He has the brands of Mary and the seal of Christ,
And he is journeying to the colleges.

This night is dark and it is cold,
And it/she is greatly vexing my heart.
My treasure went from me and she cannot be found,
And she will be torturing me ’til my death.

Oh I am not sick and I am not well,
My people told me that I would get my death,
Oh God and Christ wasn’t it a great deceit!
To be in love with a woman and not being able to have her?

Oh listen pretty maiden and do not cry
Because I was not given to you or any woman yet alive!
But I will baptize your child for you with the help of God,
And if I could undo my shame I would be yours