Preab san Ól
Another RoundThere are several different version of this song. The first four verses below are from the original poem by Riocard Bairéad (c. 1714-1819).
Riocard Bairéad (Anglicised as Richard Barrett) (b. 1740 – d. 1819 according to his grave. Other sources say born 1739 or 1740 and died either 1818 or the 8th or 18 December 1819) was a poet and United Irishman. Known in his lifetime as the Poet of Erris, Bairéad was notable for his verse and songs in the Irish Gaelic as well as the role he played in the Society of United Irishmen which mounted an uprising, known as The Irish Rebellion of 1798 against British rule. Riocard Bairéad himself, according to local folklore, played an important role in the rebellion.
A French expeditionary force under General Humbert landed in County Mayo to support the United Irishmen. Humbert was to be followed by further French troops but these never materialized. The rebellion ended in failure, despite some early victories over the English forces, most notably when the redcoats took flight before the pike-wielding men from Belmullet and other Erris villages in a battle that became known as “the Races of Castlebar”.
Riocard Bairead was a satirist, influenced by such as Jonathan Swift. He married twice, first to Nancy Tollet then to Maire Ní Mhóráin. With Maire he had two children, Mary and Richard Barrett.
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English
The many methods of making money
Leave little leisure for having fun
And think how long you'll be stretched and breathless
Alone and lonely beneath a stone;
If you're a Lord or a Duke or Princeling
You'll take no gold when you go below
And therefore think that the greatest wisdom
Is making merry with Preab 'san Ol.
There are people with cattle and sheep,
who go to the fair and get much reward
Dágeur chun cíbe agus as sin go mínligh
Wise points are clear to them.
But this month it is witnessed
that they will cry and shed tears.
So then nothing is wiser
than to continue forever drinking.
The Gombeenman in his greed for money
Will take ten gains for the price of one
The cheapest goods will be priced the dearest
For what costs sixpence he'll charge a crown
But as the camel can thread no needle
The Gombeenman if he'd save his soul
Must therefore think that the greatest wisdom
Is making merry with Preab 'san Ol.
The ship that sails on the pathless ocean
No chart no sextant to shoot the sun
Will yet in Spain or in Rock Gibraltar
Find friends to meet with when day is done;
The Grand Seignior in his airy palace
May see bags filling and call for more
And yet death waits so the greatest wisdom
Is making merry with Preab 'san Ol.
The craosach merchant nil and no way attitude
To gold not seen him,
The most expensive rate on the cheapest item,
Value an it phinge of have a crown;
'd Talk Chríosta a not-made
The Gusto camel 'through ghró;
'S therefore, there is a more prudent measure
Never ever have to kick the drink.
The lovely lily that toils nor spins not
Arrayed in beauty that's like the sun
But Solomon in his wit and wisdom
Could not stand up to comparison;
In life there's nothing but puff or bubble
An arrow loosed or another bowl
So therefore think that the greatest wisdom
Is making merry with Preab 'san Ol.