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This is a traditional Irish song arranged by Michael McGlynn. It appears on Anúna’s third/fourth album Omnis, first released in 1995 on the Danú label, and for contractual reasons was rerecorded in 1996 and released on the Celtic Heartbeat/Universal label in the USA in 1997.
The poet Sean Mac Ambróis wrote the lyrics in the mid 19th century after emigrating from his native Co Antrim to Scotland and being stricken with “cumhaí” (longing for home).
Ardí Cuan is a townland on the hill above Knocknacarry and Cushendun in north-east Antrim. The lyrics of “Árdaí Chuain” were written by the Antrim poet Mac Ambróis while in enforced exile in Scotland.
Nach tuirseach mise anseo liom féin Nach n-airím guth coiligh, lon dubh nó traon Gealbhan, smólach, naoscach féin 'S chan aithním féin an Domhnach
Curfá: Agus och och Éire 'lig is ó Ar mo lon dubh is ó 'Sé mo chroí tá trom agus brónach
'Á mbeinn féin in Ardaidh Cuain 'N aice'n tsléibh'úd 'tá 'bhfad uaim Ba annamh liom gan dul ar cuairt Go gleann na gcuach Dé Domhnaigh
(Curfá)
I am full of sorrow here alone Unable to hear the cockerel, blackbird or corncrake Nor the sparrow, thrush or snipe Sunday has no meaning for me without these things
Chorus: And alas, alas, all Ireland, oh! For my blackbird oh! My heart is heavy with sorrow
If I were in Ardaigh Cuan Beside the distant mountain It was often that I would go to visit The valley of the cuckoo on Sunday
(Chorus)
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