A wonderful old recording from 1965 of singer Dolly McMahon - one of the few left to us. Below is a version of the song’s English text, not the exact version Dolly sings, but good enough to get you going if you want to learn your own version. And at the bottom of the page is the version as Gaeilge performed by Seoirse O Dochartaigh.

An Droighneán Donn

Of late I’ve been captivated by a handsome young man
I am daily complaining for my own darling John
Confuse them consume them who will say I’m not true
Through green groves and lofty mountains I will roam love with you

O down by the river the wild birds sing
O’er mountains and valleys the dewy leaves spring
The wild flowers are shining gazed on by the sun
And fairest of all shines the droighneán donn

If I had a small boat on the ocean to float
I would follow my darling wherever he would go
I would rather my darling to roll, sport and play
Than all the golden treasures by land or by sea

I am constantly waiting for my true love’s return
And for his long absence I will never cease to mourn
I will join with the sweet birds till the summer comes on
And I’ll be shaded by the green leaves of the droighneán donn
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