A Chailin Alainn - Brian Ó hEadhra

Words: Tomás Mac Eoin (NB here translated from Irish to Scottish Gaelic)
Music: Trad.


The author of this love song is the Irish Gaelic singer Tomás Mac Eoin of an Ceathrú Rua, Conamara. He put his words to the well-known Scottish Mingulay Boat Song tune. This Irish/Scottish song is a favourite at cèilidh's across the land.

A chailin àlainn dha'n tug mi'n gràdh-sa
'S i fhèin as àille na blàths ' nan ròs.
Gun i bhith làimh rium, 's ann tùrsach tha mi;
A chailin àlainn 's tu fàth mo bhròin.

An am dhomh dùsgadh is mi nam aonar
'S e sin an uair as moth' mo bhròin.
Bidh mo smuaintean air a' chailin uasail
A dh'imich bhuam-sa 's a rinn mo leòn.

A chailin àlainn gun tug mi gràdh dhut,
Thig na mo chòmhnaidh mo luaidh 's mo stòr
'S abair rium-sa gur tu mo ghràdh geal
'S bidh mise àghmhor gun adhbhar cràidh.

Nach tig thu leam-sa, a chailin àlainn,
Gu sìorraidh bràth cha bhith ort bròn;
Sheinninn ceòl dhut mar cheòl na clàrsaich
'S mar ghuth na smeòraich an driùchd an fheòir.

O beautiful girl to whom I gave my love,
She alone has more beauty than the fair roses;
Without her beside me, I am sorrowful.
O beautiful girl, you are the cause of my sadness.

On waking, when I am alone,
That is the time I am most sad.
My thoughts are with the noble girl
Who went from me and wounded me.

Beautiful girl, I gave my heart to you;
Come to me, my darling and my treasure.
Tell me that you are my fair love
And I'll be joyful without reason for torment.

Won't you come with me, beautiful girl,
And forever more you'll know no sorrow.
I would sing to you like the music of the clàrsach,
And like the voice of the song-thrush in the dewy grass.