Beidh Aonach Amárach
There's a Fair Tomorrow“There’s a Fair Tomorrow”. From joeheaney.org: This song, familiar to schoolchildren and Irish language-learners around the country, would likely have been dismissed as a ‘school song’ by the people in Joe’s community. Even so, it represents a venerable type of song which Seán Ó Tuama termed the débat grá or ‘love debate.’ The subject matter of the song which, as here, takes the form of an argument between a girl and her mother about matters of the heart, has its roots in the troubadour and trouvère traditions of 12th-century France.
The translation here is the one Joe himself developed for his students, a fairly literal rendering that has the added benefit of being singable. He was fond of using this song as a sing-along in his classes, and he often placed it, as he does here, at the end of the evening. Compare the rendition here with the full-speed-ahead version on another recording, when he performs it in a medley with ‘An bhFaca Tú mo Shéamaisín?’
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English
There's a fair tomorrow in the County Clare.
There's a fair tomorrow in the County Clare.
There's a fair tomorrow in the County Clare.
But what's the use I won't be there.
Chorus:
Oh mother, won't you let me go to the fair?
Oh mother, won't you let me go to the fair?
Oh mother, won't you let me go to the fair?
My fondest child, Oh please don't ask.
You're not even ten or eleven years old.
You're not even ten or eleven years old.
You're not even ten or eleven years old.
When you're thirteen I'll let you go.
Chorus
I'm in love with the cobbler man.
I'm in love with the cobbler man.
I'm in love with the cobbler man.
If I don't get him, I can't live on.
Chorus
The cobbler is the man I like the best.
The cobbler is the man I like the best.
The cobbler is the man I like the best.
I prefer him to an officer with golden braid.
Chorus
Oh mother, won't you let me go to the fair?
Oh mother, won't you let me go to the fair?
Oh mother, won't you let me go to the fair?
My fondest child, Oh please don't ask.
Chorus
There's a fair tomorrow in the County Clare
There's a fair tomorrow in the County Clare
There's a fair tomorrow in the County Clare
Why should I care, I won't be there
Chorus
I've a little daughter and she's very young
I've a little daughter and she's very young
I've a little daughter and she's very young
And she's in love with a cobbling man
Chorus
There is many a maid who married young
There is many a maid who married young
There is many a maid who married young
And lived in peace with her cobbling man
Chorus
You are not ten or eleven yet
You are not ten or eleven yet
You are not ten or eleven yet
When youre thirteen you'll be more mature.
Chorus
I'd rather have my cobbling man
I'd rather have my cobbling man
I'd rather have my cobbling man
Than an army officer with his gold bands
Chorus
Can you provide a better translation?