Siúil a Rúin

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  • Teideal (Title): Siúil a Rúin.
  • Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 860205.
  • Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
  • Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): none.
  • Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
  • Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
  • Cnuasach (Collection): Joe Heaney Collection, University of Washington, Seattle.
  • Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): Irish and English.
  • Catagóir (Category): song.
  • Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Joe Heaney.
  • Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): Mary E. Johnson.
  • Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): 10/10/1980.
  • Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): unavailable.
  • Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): céilí (Larry Lynch).
  • Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
  • Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.

Just one of the songs about… Irish soldiers going into the army of France in the seventeenth century. The girl crying, mourning his loss and his departure. She wishing he’d come back safely to her. He’s asking her to elope, come with him, you see.

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin
Teir ag an doras agus éalaigh liom
Is go bhfille tú a mhúirnín bán, slán.

I’ll dye my petticoat, I’ll dye it red
Around the world I’ll earn my bread
Until my parents ‘ll wish me dead.
Is go bhfille tú a mhúirnín bán, slán.

I’ll sell my rod, I’ll sell my reel
I’ll sell my only spinning wheel
I’ll buy my love a sword of steel
Is go bhfille tú a mhúirnín bán, slán.

Now my love has gone to France
To seek his fortune and advance
If ever he returns, it’s only a chance
Is go bhfille tú a mhúirnín bán, slán.

I wish I was on yonder hill
It’s there I’d sit and cry my fill
And every tear would turn a mill
Is go bhfille tú a mhúirnín bán, slán.

Translation

Walk, walk, walk my dear
Walk softly, walk silently
Come to the door and elope with me
And may you return safely, my fair darling.

Notes

Joe appears to be somewhat tired on this occasion. The song is of interest, however, in that it is somewhat different – both in the air and in the words of the refrain – from the commonly-heard version.