School: Sliabh na Cille (roll number 14513)

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   “I got the following little song from Mr Hubert Forde, farmer, of Dernageer, Ballinaghera, Co. Leitrim.”

   

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   I got the following little song from Mr. Hubert Forde, farmer, of Dernageer, Ballinaglera, Co. Leitrim. It is a spinning-song, which he heard from his mother whose maiden name was Kitty Cullen of Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim. She died about the year 1916 and was then over 70 years of age. She used to sing this song as she spun - holding the roll of wool in one hand and working her finger up and down the thread, like a person, as he described it, "playing the fiddle". Hubert Forde is now (1938) 69 years of age.

   As it is a long time since he heard this piece and, not having repeated it often since, he naturally felt it difficult to remember it. I have endeavoured to write it down as he said it but it seems to be corrupt in places.

   
   Chuaidh mé fhéin is mo bhean go teach tórra'

   Fothún ann do buidhe,

   Bhí siad ag cur fear a' toighe ins a' gcómhra clárach,

   Is oró rath mo chroidhe.

   
   Dubhairt mo bhean liom lá thar n-a bhárach,

   Fothún ann do buidhe

   "Má luighidh tú síos agus bás d'fhagháil annsin

   Is oró rath mo chroidhe.

   
   Cuirfidh mé cómhra airgid ort má's bocht a' rádh sin,

   Fothún ann do buidhe

   Nó cómhra órdha má's mór a rádh sin

   Is oró rath mo chroidhe."

   
   (ar leanacht leath. 8)

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. genre
      1. poetry
         1. folk poetry (~9,504)

   Languages

   Irish

   English

   Informant

   Mr Hubert Forde

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   69

   Occupation

   Farmer

   Address

   Derreenageer, Co. Leitrim