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From joeheaney.org: This is one of those songs that depend on dialogue – and in the case of this well-known Munster song, the sense of who is speaking has perhaps got muddled in transmission. Printed versions of the text give ‘a phlúirín na mban donn óg’ – ‘oh flower of young brown-haired women’ – in other words, the singer is addressing the young woman, rather than quoting her. This makes sense, as he is seeking to persuade her to come away with him.
County Leitrim (Irish: Contae Liatroma) is a county in Ireland. It is located in the Border Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. In ancient times Leitrim formed the western half of the Kingdom of Breifne. This region was long influenced by the O’Rourke family of Dromahair, whose heraldic lion occupies the official county shield to this day. Close ties initially existed with East Breifne, now County Cavan, and the O’Reilly clan seated there.
In the YouTube video is singer, Treasa Ní Cheannaigh, from Tuam, Co. Galway. She is a primary school teacher with many years experience as a performer on stage.
Dá dtiocfá liomsa go Condae Liatrom', A phlúirín na mban donn óg, Do bhéarfainn mil bheach is mead mar bhia dhuit, A phlúirín na mban donn óg. Bradáin gheala a thabharfainn aniar chughat, Fíon agus beoir ann le n-ól ina ndiaidh siúd, Cead codlata go socair i leaba chlúimh éan dhuit, A phlúirín na mban donn óg.
Ó do chonaic mé chugam í trí láir a' tsléibhe, Mar 'bheadh réaltán ins a' gceo, Is do bhí mé ag caint is ag comhrá léi Go ndeachamar go páirc na mbó. Shuíomar síos cois taobh an fháil Go dtugas-sa di scríofa faoi mo láimh, Nach raibh aon ní dá n-iarrfadh sí ná triallfainn dh'fháil Do phlúirín na mban donn óg.
Á, ní rachaidh mise leatsa, 's ní maith dhuit bheith do m'iarraidh, Dúirt plúirín na mban donn óg. Mar ná choinneodh do ghlórtha beo gan bia mé, Dúirt plúirín na mban donn óg. Míle céad fearr liom bheith choíche gan fhear Ná bheith 'siúl drúchta na ngleannta leat, Is go dtug mo chroíse grá agus gean duit, Arsa phlúirín na mban donn óg.
If you'd come with me to County Liatrom, O brown-haired flower of maidens, I'd give you honey and mead for food, O brown-haired flower of maidens. Bright salmon I'd bring back to you, Wine and beer to drink after that, You could sleep sound in a bed of down, O brown-haired flower of maidens.
Oh, I saw her toward me through the mountains, Like a star approaching in the mist, And I was talking and conversing with her Till we reached the cows' pasture. We sat down beside the road And I swore to her in writing, That nothing she lacked but I'd rove out to find For the brown-haired flower of maidens.
Ah, I'll not go with you, and it's no good your asking, Said the brown-haired flower of maidens, For your speeches won't keep me alive without food, Said the brown-haired flower of maidens, A thousand times better that I were single forever Than to be walking the dewy glens with you, And that my heart gave you love and affection, Said the brown-haired flower of maidens.
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