Antoin Ó Raifteirí: Máire Ní Eidhin (The Lass from Bally-na-Lee)

Antoin Ó Raifteirí / Anthony Raftery
 

Máire Ní Eidhin   


Ar mo dhul chuig an Aifreann le toil na ngrásta,
Bhí an lá ag cur báistí is d'ardaigh gaoth,
Casadh an ainnir liom le taobh Chill Tartain
Is thit mé láithreach i ngrá le mnaoi.
Labhair mé léi go múinte mánla,
Is de réir a cáilíochta d'fhreagair sí,
'Sé dúirt sí - "Raifteirí, tá m'intinn sásta,
Agus gluais go lá liom go Baile Uí Laí."
Nuair a fuair mé an tairscint níor lig mé ar cairde í,
Rinne mé gáire agus gheit mo chroí,
Ní raibh le dul againn ach trasna páirce
Agus thug sin slán sinn go tóin an tí.
Leagadh chughainn bord a raibh gloine is cárta air,
Is bhí an chúileann fáinneach le m'ais ina suí,
'Sé dúirt sí - "Raifteirí, bí ag ól is céad fáilte,
Tá an siléar láidir i mBaile Uí Laí."

Poetic translation
 
The Lass from Bally-na-Lee

 

On my way to Mass

    To say a prayer,

The wind was high

    Sowing rain,

I met a maid

    With wind-wild hair

And madly fell

    In love again.

I spoke with learning,

    Charm and pride

And, as was fitting,

    Answered she:

'My mind is now

    well satisfied,

So walk with me

    To Bally-na-Lee.'

Given the offer,

    I didn't delay,

And blowing a laugh

    At this willing young lass,

I swung with her over

    The fields through the day

Till shortly we reached

    The rump of the house.

A table with glasses

    And drink was set

And then says the lassie,

    Turning to me:

'You are welcome, Raftery,

    So drink a wet

To love's demands

    In Bally-na-Lee.'