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This is a charming love song written to a girl who worked as a servant in the house of Maire Ni Thuama. It was written by Pead Buí (Pádraig) Ó Loinsigh in the Muskerry dialect. Although Pead spent most of his life in Kerry he was born in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork. Muskerry (Múscraí in Irish) is part of the Cork Gaeltacht and has a population of 3,895 people (2,951 Irish speakers)
In the video is a fantastic rendition by Nell Ní Chróinín and Eoiní Mhaidhcí Ó Súilleabháin. Ní Chróinín is originally from ‘An Choill Mhór’ , in the Irish-speaking town of Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, although her family is originally from nearby Cúil Aodha. Her interest in sean-nós singing arose after attending her first Oireachtas na Gaeilge event when she was ten years old.
Born in 1990, Nell inherited a musical tradition from both sides. Her parents Teddy and Síle both sing although rarely in public and there is a strong legacy of accordion playing in her family, stemming from her maternal grandfather and from her aunt the late Eilín Ní Ríordáin. One of Nell’s sisters plays the concertina and she has many musical cousins.
Thanks to Coiste Litríochta Mhúsgraí for the words. Must be preserved in the Muskerry dialect! Translation by Antóin.
Ar maidin Dé Domhnaigh roim Aifreann d'éisteacht, Bhí cuideachta shúgach i dtigh Neilí Héaly, Bhí na búird á mbualadh Is an t-ól á ghlaoch ann, Bhí sí ann is níor ól sí braon de.
Curfá: Fal do deal do deigh ró, fal do deal do dé ró, Fal do deigh dileigh dí dileigh dí dé ró, Fal do deal do deigh ró, fal do deal do dé ró, Fal do deigh dileigh dí dileigh dilí dil é ró.
Nuair a thánag-sa abhaile ón Aifreann d'éisteacht, Do shiúlaíos ina haice siúd a' g'bháil leathscéil léi, Ach do tháinig bean a' tí 'steach Is ba chuma nú an chaor í, Is do dhibir sí gan mhoill uaim an Cailín Aerach.
Curfá
Is a Mháire Ní Thuama ná din me a dhaoradh, Má bhíonn go muar leis an gCailín Aerach, An canna ' bhí cúrach, ní ólfadh braon de, 'S dá siúlfainn léi an Ruachtach Geallaim nár bhaol di.
Dá bhficfinn go brách í ar sráid nú ar aonach, Bheadh canna agus cárt im láimh i n-aonacht. Ní thógfainn-se páirt 'na náire ná a daoradh Mar do rinncfeadh sí ar chlár liom Ar áilleacht Éireann.
Cúrfá
Agus comhairle a bheirim-se do chailíní óga, Gan ' bheith amu' go déanach I gcuideachta na n-óig-fhear, Ach teacht abhaile go luath um thráthnóna Nú mura ndinid gurb é an allait an bóthar.
On Sunday morning before hearing mass, There was merry company in Neilí Héaly's pub. There was banging on tables And drink was being called for, She was there and she didn't drink a drop.
Chorus: Fal do deal do deigh ró, fal do deal do dé ró, Fal do deigh dileigh dí dileigh dí dé ró, Fal do deal do deigh ró, fal do deal do dé ró, Fal do deigh dileigh dí dileigh dilí dil é ró.
When I came home from attending Mass, I walked beside her making excuses to her, But the woman of the house came And she all red-faced And she threw out the airy girl away from me.
Chorus
Oh Mary Twomey don’t condemn me, If I’m very fond of the airy girl I wouldn’t drink a drop of the frothy can And I’d walk the Roughty with her And I promise she wouldn’t be in danger.
If I'd ever see her on a street or at a fair I'd have a can and a quart in my hand with her I wouldn't join in shaming or condemning her because she'd dance on the boards with me To the delight of Ireland
And the advice I give to young girls Don't stay out late In the company of young men, But come home early in the evening Or unless you do the road will be the allait
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