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This traditional Irish sean-nós song is about an injured duck, lovingly nursed back to health by its finder. In the video is a beautiful rendition by sean-nós singer Nell Ní Chróinín. She is originally from ‘An Choill Mhór’, in the Irish-speaking town of Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, although her family is originally from nearby Cúil Aodha. Her interest in sean-nós singing arose after attending her first Oireachtas na Gaeilge event when she was ten years old. Ní Chróinín started singing lessons and was particularly influenced by local singers such as Máire Ní Cheilleachar and Eoiní Maidhcí Ó Suilleabháin, from whom she was able to learn her songs. As a teenager, she succeeded in winning prestigious sean-nós singing prizes, in particular winning in her age category at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2005 and 2006.
Over the years, Ní Chróinín has made several television appearances as a guest singer, generally on the Irish language television station TG4. She has sung on traditional music shows such as Geanntraí and Anam an Amhrán, and she was also the subject of an episode of Amhráin is Ansa Liom in 2010, a programme where a chosen traditional Irish singer sings and discusses four of their favourite pieces.
A chréatúirín leóinte is brón liom do dhreach Im' choinnibh sa phóirse is tú breoite tinn salach Do sciatháin ba ró-dheas ag sileadh sa lóib leat `S do lapa beag gleoite dár ndóigh na dhá leath.
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) Do sciatháin ba ró-dheas ag sileadh sa lóib leat `S do lapa beag gleoite dár ndóigh na dhá leath.
An t-asal is dócha a thug tú le speach. Is greadach go deo air ba mhór é a theaspach Cuirfead bata fuinseoige ag rince sa tóin air Is ceangal naoi ló air cois teorainn na staic.
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) Cuirfead bata fuinseoige ag rince sa tóin air Is ceangal naoi ló air cois teorainn na staic.
Tar liomsa im’ dhóid Chun go dtomhaisfead do chneá Is ná bí chomh glórach ní ceol do bhac bhac Idir bhriseadh `gus leonadh tá ainnise mhór ort Is is céasadh san domhsa mo lacha bhacach.
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) Idir bhriseadh `gus leonadh tá ainnise mhór ort Is is céasadh san domhsa mo lacha bhacach.
Cad a dhéanfad amáireach is cás liom a mheas Gan an t-ubh gorm bhreá mar ba ghnáth chun briceasta Is easnamh dom shláinte an bascadhsa tá ort Ach oighne ‘sé is fearr air mo lacha bhacach.
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) Is easnamh dom shláinte an bascadhsa tá ort Ach oighne ‘sé is fearr air mo lacha bhacach.
Stopadh lochán duit go snáimhfhinn amach ‘Sé an t’iochluibh is fearr é do lacha bhacach Beirse i gcionn spáis bhig a’crothadh sciatháin ann Is roimh tosach an Mhárta ag ardú bhac bhac.
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) Beirse i gcionn spáis bhig a’crothadh sciatháin ann Is roimh tosach an Mhárta ag ardú bhac bhac.
Bhearsa eile:
Tar liomsa láithreach thar tairsigh isteach Is fan ann go soláthraid duit cláirín is ceart Déanfaidh cliath dhaingean d’háisceadh Ar bhriseadh do chnáimhín Is snaimhigh naoi lá é is beir sásta go maith.
My poor wounded craytur, you’re breaking my heart Lying sore by the door you look terribly bad How lovely your wing now all flowing with muck, Your wee paw now so raw, in two halves it is cut.
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) How lovely your wing now all flowing with muck, Your wee paw now so raw, in two halves it is cut.
That donkey I’m sure he gave you a fair whack So may an iron brand all day burn hard on his back I’ll tie him up for nine days in the field out the back And my trusty shelalegh will dance on his crack
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) I’ll tie him up for nine days in the field out the back And my trusty shelalegh will dance on his crack
Come here now my pride To see how you were hewn And don’t be so noisy with your whinging tune With breaking and bawling, your burden is huge Shur ‘tis torture the dance of the duck with the wound
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) With breaking and bawling, your burden is huge Shur ‘tis torture the dance of the duck with the wound
What’ll happen tomorrow, consider my case With no nice blue egg To greet my morning face For the loss of your eggs in poor health I am struck But I’ve patience and faith in my little lame duck
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) For the loss of your eggs in poor health I am struck But I’ve patience and faith in my little lame duck
I’ll build you a pond to swim away out Shur it is the best cure for the lame duck no doubt Go on with your shivering scared little wings By the start of next March you will fly high and sing.
Didery aighle dam dodle di am the dam dam (x2) Go on with your shivering scared little wings By the start of next March you will fly high and sing.
Extra verse:
Come with me right way o’er the old home threshold Stay there and I’ll wrap you in bandage and board To give plaster cast growth To your fractured wee bones And nine days to just doze in your own happy home
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