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This is a traditional Irish song written by 18th-century poet Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill, to honor Prince Charles Stewart (“Bonnie Prince Charlie”). Mo Ghile Mear is his most famous poem. It is a lament or caoineadh that was written after the defeat of the Bonnie Prince Charles at the Battle of Culloden, Scotland, in 1746. The Irish poets had pinned their hopes on this revolutionary prince and his flight was a crushing blow to the long-suffering Gaeil of both Éire and Scotland. Their exasperation and despair is vividly portrayed in this poem. Like all other Gaelic poems of the time, Mo Ghile Mear would have been sung rather than recited; indeed, the melody is well-known today.
Seán was born in the year 1691 in Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. However, he lived out his life in Kiltoohig (Cill Tuathaigh), Charleville, so this is the town with which he is most associated. Very little is known about his youth or his family. He did, however, receive a comprehensive education, in spite of the Penal Laws of the time. Either in the home or in a hedge school, he learned Latin, Ancient Greek and English as well as Irish, his native tongue. This fact is borne out by the epitaph on his gravestone.
Many of Seán Clárach’s poems are characterised by a longing for the coming of a just, preferably Catholic, King to the throne of England. Ireland had been conquered by the English in the 17th century much to the despair of the poets, who lost the patronage of their defeated or exiled Gaelic lords. Seán Clárach and others were forced to work as spailpíní, or migratory labourers. Eyes therefore turned to Stuart Kings of England, in the hope that help would come from them.
Seal dá rabhas im’ mhaighdean shéimh, ‘S anois im’ bhaintreach chaite thréith, Mo chéile ag treabhadh na dtonn go tréan De bharr na gcnoc is in imigéin.
Curfá Sé mo laoch mo Ghile Mear ‘Sé mo Shaesar, Ghile Mear, Suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin Ó chuaigh i gcéin mo Ghile Mear.
Bímse buan ar buairt gach ló, Ag caoi go cruaidh ‘s ag tuar na ndeor Mar scaoileadh uaim an buachaill beo ‘S ná ríomhtar tuairisc uaidh, mo bhrón.
Curfá
Ní labhrann cuach go suairc ar nóin Is níl guth gadhair i gcoilltibh cnó, Ná maidin shamhraidh i ngleanntaibh ceoigh Ó d’imthigh sé uaim an buachaill beó.
Ghile Mear ‘sa seal faoi chumha, ‘S Éire go léir faoi chlócaibh dubha; Suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin Ó chuaigh i gcéin mo Ghile Mear.
Once I was gentle maiden, But now I'm a spent, worn-out widow, My consort strongly plowing the waves, Over the hills and far away.
Chorus He's my champion my Gallant Darling, He's my Caesar, a Gallant Darling, I've found neither rest nor fortune Since my Gallant Darling went far away.
Every day I'm constantly enduring grief, Weeping bitterly and shedding tears, Because my lively lad has left me And no news is told of him - alas.
Chorus
The cuckoo doesn't sing cheerfully after noon, And the sound of hounds isn't heard in the nut-tree woods, Nor a summer morning in a misty glen Since my my lively boy went away from me.
Gallant Darling for a while under sorrow, And Ireland completely under black cloaks; I have found neither rest nor fortune Since my Gallant Darling went far away.
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