An Cailín Aerach
The Frolicsome GirlThis 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.
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English
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.
Chorus
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
Chorus
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