Mo Ghile Mear (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

Mo Ghile Mear (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

MY LINKS: https://linktr.ee/Sethswatkinsmusic

This traditional Irish song was written by 18th-century poet Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill, to honor Prince Charles Stewart (“Bonnie Prince Charlie”), and lament his loss and subsequent flight at the Battle of Culloden, Scotland and has been iterated on many times. I am singing the popular version from the UCD Choral Scholars. Original lyrics in Irish are on the screen and the English translation is down below. I am not a native Irish speaker but I do my best to listen, learn, and imitate as best I can. Enjoy and happy St. Patrick's Day!

Photo: Poulnabrone
Bodhran Backing Track: David Whelan (‪@irishbanjolessons‬)

Translation:
Chorus
My dashing darling is my hero
My dashing darling is my Caesar
I have had neither sleep nor good fortune
Since my dashing darling went far away

Verse 1:
I am perpetually worried every day
Wailing heavily and shedding tears
Since my lively boy was released from me
And there is no word of him, alas

Verse 2:
The pleasure of the cheerful cuckoo at noon is gone
The affable nobility are not bothered with sport
The learned and the cultured are worried and sad
Since the lively lad was taken from me

Verse 3:
He is like Young Aonghus
Like Lughaidh Mac Chéin of the great blows
Like Cú Raoi, great son of Dáire of the gold
Leader of Éire strong in pursuit

Verse 4:
Like Conall Cearnach who breached defences
Like worthy fair haired Feargas Mac Róigh
Like Conchubhar venerable son of Nás of the tradition
The pleasant chieftain of the musical [Fenian] Branch