Inis Oírr, In Inis Oírr
Inisheer, on InisheerCredits: Thomas Walsh; lyrics by Ethna Carberry; adapted by Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola. This song can be found on the album An Raicín Álainn, which was released in 2002. Sung by Lasairfhíona, who is from the island of Inis Oírr herself, the tune was originally composed in the 1970s by Dublin accordion player Thomas Walsh and the lyrics were later added by Lasairfhíona, based on the poem “On Inisheer” by Ethna Carbery (1866-1902).
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English
In Inis Oírr, in Inis Oírr
I didn’t know about fear
Nor of the sorrow
That would stop laughter
Until that gloomy day
When my love sailed from me
A cloud came over the sun
And it was dark after that
Why did you leave
Before the primrose peeped out
Through the grass bleached
By the bitter salty wind?
Here by the fire
We’d have had our hearts’ desire
Wasn’t it this gentle tranquillity
That was best for us?
Some day that’s meant to be
You’ll come back, my darling
Your currach speeding
Against the tide
With your own people’s consent
On the crags of Inis Meáin
To cure my melancholy
If that can be done
Inis Oírr, in Inis Oírr
Oh I’ll wait for you there
Spinning dreams
By day and night
Until you have gold
And your travelling is done
You will take me into your heart
And that will lift the sadness from me