Roisin Chambers sings this great piece of sean-nós.  A boatman falls for Sadhbh (Ní Mhuinghile) from Inis Gé, off the Mayo coast, and attempts to entice her to marry him.  – Also try Liam O Maonlaí’s version out.

Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla

Ní iarrfainn de spré le Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla
ach Baile Inis Gé is cead éalú ar choinníní.

Curfá
Óra a Shadhbh, a Shadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla,
A chuisle is a stóirín, éalaigh is imigh liom.

Fear maith i mbád mé togha fear iomraimh
Fear sluaisid’ is láí ar dhá cheann an iomaire.

Máistir báid mhóir mé a’ gabháil ród na Gaillimhe
D’fhliuchfainn naoi bhfód is ní thóigfinn aon fharraige.

Máistir báid mhóir go deo ní ghlacfad,
Nuair a fhaigheann siad an chóir ‘sé is dóichí nach bhfanann siad.

Mhionnóinn naoi n-uaire ar leabhar mór an Bhairéadaigh
Nach scarfainn go deo le Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla.

Níl falach i gcabhail ar Shadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla,
Ach seanchóitín donn gan cabhail gan muinchille.

Nuair a théimse ‘un an chomhra ag comhaireamh an airgid
Bíonn an iníon is an bhean is iad caillte le gean orm.

Nuair a thiocfas lá breá ‘gus an ghaoth ón bhfarraige
Tabharfaidh mé Sadhbh liom go céibh na Gaillimhe.

Óra a Shadhbh, a Shadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla,
A chuisle is a stóirín, ba rí-mhaith dhuit mise agat!

English Translation

I would ask no dowry for Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla,
but the village of Inis Gé and a permit to steal up on rabbits.

Refrain
Óra, Sadhbh, Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla,
My heart’s beloved, elope and leave with me.

I’m a good boatman, a fine oarsman,
skillful with shovel or loy on either end of the ridge.

I’m the master of a large sail boat (hooker) on the way to Galway,
I’d wet nine sods of turf but would not take any water in.

The master of a hooker I’d never accept,
when the wind is favourable they are not inclined to stay.

I’d swear nine times on Barrett’s book
that I’d never part with Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla.

Sadhbh is not wearing a stitch on her body,
except an old brown coat without bodice or sleeve.

When I go to the chest to count the money,
the daughter and her mother are overcome with fondness for me.

When a fine day comes and the wind is from the sea,
I’ll take Sadhbh with me to the pier in Galway.

Óra, Sadhbh, Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla,
my heart’s beloved, you would do right well to have me!