buachaill on eirne

These lyrics by Gordon Smith were paired with the great Irish air Buachaill On Eirne. It’s a good example of a traditional tune being given new life with some carefully composed words. It also gives non-Gaeilge speakers an opportunity to sing this air! Here’s a live performance by The McCalmans.

COME BY THE HILLS

Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free
And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the lochs meet the sea
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun
Ah, the cares of to-morrow can wait ’til this day is done

Oh, come by the hills to the land where life is a song
And sing while the birds fill the air with their joy all day long
Where the trees sway in time and even the wind sings in tune
Ah, the cares of to-morrow can wait ’til this day is done

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A great bit of singing and the story behind the song told by Caoimhin Mac an Bhaird. Another great video from TG4’s Abair Amhrán. The songs starts 1:33 into the video.

Buachaill ón Éirne mé ‘s bhréagfainn cailín deas óg
Ní iarrfainn bó spré léi tá mé fhéin saibhir go leor
‘S liom Corcaigh da mhéid é, dhá thaobh a’ ghleanna ‘s Tír Eoghain
‘S mura n-athraí mé béasaí ‘s mé n’ t-oidhr’ ar Chontae Mhaigh Eo

Rachaidh mé ‘márach ag dhéanamh leanna fán choill
Gan choite gan bád gan gráinnín brach’ ar bith liom
Ach duilliúr na gcraobh mar éadaigh leapa os mo chionn
‘S óró sheacht m’anam déag thú ‘s tú ‘féachaint orm anall

Buachailleacht bó, mo leo, nár chleacht mise ariamh
Ach ag imirt ‘s ag ól le h’ógmhná deasa an tsliabh
Má chaill mé mo stór ní moide gur chaill mé mo chiall
A’s ní mó liom do phóg ná’n bhróg atáim ag caitheamh le bliain