~S~

The fact that you are getting exasperated and offensive ("...which part of ... don't you understand?" ) indicates that it's you that don't understand this. It seems to me that you're not going the right way about persuading people to do as you wish.

Noreen

Michael is not asking for a singable English version of an Irish song, he is only asking to know briefly what the damn song is about, to know if it's worth his time trying to learn, to learn to pronounce and sing, and be able to explain to a largley English speaking audience what he is singing about. Many of us want the English lyrics of songs in other languages, and sometimes we get a lousy song as a result, but it might lead someone to write a better song on that particular theme.

A good case in point is Jacques Brel, and a good song example is his 'Ne Me Quitte Pas' which was heard in English as 'If You Go Away', English lyrics written by Rod McKuen, who claims to have known and love Brel & his music, but wrote a completely different and second rate song. Most Americans will never know that this is not the song Jacques Brel wrote, and perhaps think less of BRel for sounding too much like second rate Rod MckKuen. People should be encouraged to learn some language skills and then be able to interpret foreign songs, and some help from others who know the languages and the difficulties translation present would be most helpful for many people here.

Now, I'm not fluent in Irish, but rather, have taught myself everything I know. It takes me quite a lot of time to do a full translation, though I've done it for my own edification many a time. If you're seriously interested in the Irish stuff, you can get something of a recognition vocabulary rather quickly with the help of a dictionary. The first thing I did when I bought one was to read the short parts about the grammar, which will tell you tons about how to find all those seriously morphed words. Anyway, it's nearly as much work for me as it is for some of you other guys, but I really will get round to it....

Hogs & Fishes, All,

ciarili

One can appreciate grand opera better by knowing roughly what the arias are saying, and the same is true of folk songs in a language which many potential listeners may not master even if it's part of their cultural heritage.

A more accurate translation of the title would be "Little [mere?] private". It's the story of a private kicked out of the Guards, griping about his hard-luck story. I'd attempt a fuller translation but don't have the time and don't recognise some of the words. Opportunity for a broad-minded Gaeilgeoir.

You know, I just picked up the Pocket Oxford one, which I found someplace like Borders, Barnes & Noble, or Bookstar (how alliterative!). I even got a deal because it was misbound. I told 'em I'd buy it anyway because the switcherooed section was in the English to Irish part, which I don't much use.

ciarili

SHHH! Be vewy, vewy quiet - we'we hunting hodags....

ciarili

p.s. What i wouldn't give to cave the Burren!

SAIGHDIÚRÍ
Colm Mac Séaraigh

Saighdiúrí singil ar ais ón gcogadh.
Mairnéalaigh chróga sa mbaile arís.
Píolóití eitleán ar ais ar an talamh.
Gunnadóirí ag brionglóidí

Cá bhfuil na saighdiúrí?
Ina n-aonar i lár an gheimhridh.

Tógadh in arm iad, i mbláth na hóige.
Tugadh oiliúint dóibh le marú gan stró
Tugadh orduithe le comhlíonadh.
Dúradh leo marú gan trócaire.

Fuil ina tuile dhearg ar a lámha,
Pian doleigheasta istigh ina gcroí
Go fóill ní thuigeann siad céard a tharla.
`s a rinne daoine difriúla díobh.

Cuireann siad a mallacht ghéar ar na máistrí móra
Na máistrí móra dofheichte úd nach bhfaca siad ariamh.
Tá a fhios acu gur ioc siad go daor as a gcrógacht.
Rí-mhaith a thuigeann siad
Nach bhfuil aon dul siar.

Rough translation

Ordinary [rank and file] soldiers back from the war
Brave seamen back home again
Aeroplane pilots back on the ground
Gunmen dreaming

Where are the soldiers? On their own in the middle of winter.

They were put in an army, in the flower of their youth.
They were taught how to kill easily
They were given orders to fulfill
They were told to kill without pity.

Blood in a red torrent on their hands
An incurable pain inside their heart(s)
They still don't understand what happened
And turned them into different people

Sharply they curse the great masters
Those invisible masters whom they never saw
They know that they have paid dearly for their bravery
They understand too well that there is no going back.

I'm a single wee soldier who was sacked from the kings guard
I haven't even tuppence to spend on a drink
I'd bang a drum and I'd play a sweet harp
Its down in Kilkenny I left the love of my heart
.

My father sent me over to Dingle to look for women
When I came home I came across a deer,
I fell off my horse and broke two thirds of my bones
And God of my soul, I lost my sense over women

Down in Kilkenny theres a beautiful fair young woman
Quiet, damp (??). chalky ? and her cheeks like a rose flower
Tweny one men are falling in love with my treasure,
And wont It be a shame if the tailor gets there before me
(literaly wont I be the pity of Holy Mary)

And you little joke of a tailor, I wouldn't marry you for a husband
I'd nearly prefer the ??? who would dig ditches (not sure if this is correct)
I'd get up in the morning and spread the seed properly
And I wouldn't stay beside the door whistling and chasing hens.

I'll buy a horse tomorrow, with the help of God
And a little red saddle that would last forever
If I'm lost in the bend of a wood or a mountain glen
The eyes of the girls of the town will be shedding tears after me.