Mo Choill

My Darling
Home > Artists > Altan | Submitted by CiaraMulvihill
This is a traditional Irish and Scottish love song arranged by Atlan. It appears on their third studio album Harvest St more...

This is a traditional Irish and Scottish love song arranged by Atlan. It appears on their third studio album Harvest Storm, released in 1992.

From Philippa

I think the following lyrics and translation are from the notes for an Altan album. The song is from the singing of Róise na n’Amhrán. It was given to her by a highland man, Neil MacCurdy, who was working on the lighthouse of Aranmore Island. The translation is by Proinsias Ó Maonaigh.

Anonymous

This is the Scottish (and Rathlin Island) song “Thug mi gaol don fhear bhàn” – see video here. Like “Domhnall agus Mórag”, it was taken to Donegal by Rathlin man Neil McCurdy. My impression is that the Donegal folk didn’t understand the words completely and any attempt to make literal sense of their versions may be misguided eg. “coill” is really “gaol”.

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Irish

English

There's a gentleman in this land
It's recorded on the board
I've sent a letter by post haste
To pledge my love and married bliss

Chorus (after each verse):
You're my love, love, love
You're my loved one so fair
You're my dark sailor boy
And I wish for your care

A ship to the bay
Sets the casks on the rails
When the wine's drained away
She'll be ready to sail

In all this wide world
There is one man I care
Whom Aoife dismissed
And put on board the "Man-of-War"

I journeyed away
And my love's bed reneged
When I heard that my love
Was abroad on the waves

Can you provide a better translation?

Chords

We will work out the chords for you on request.