AN GAODHAL.
433
Na naosgracha léimneadh, 'san fhuiseog
ó 'n móin.
Tá 'n t-iolrach as Achuil, 'san fiachdubh ó
n g-Céis ann,
An seabhach as loch Éirne agus an ala ó
'n Róimh,
A's dá mbeidhtheá gCilliadáin le h-éir¬
ighe na gréire,
Do chluinfeadh gach eun aca seinnim 'san
g-grove.
VII
Tá 'n boc 's tá 'n eilt a's tá gach h-uile
shórt game ann,
Tá 'n mada ruadh gazáil air an m-bruc
'san míol buidhé;
'S aig celléir na n-gadhar agus adharca
d'a séideadh
Le h-eirighe na gréine, s go d-tógfadh do
chroídhe.
Tá daoine uasle 'r eachraibh ann 's mar¬
caigh a léimneadh,
A fiach a b-plantations go d-tagann an
oidhche;
As sin go d-ti maidin bidheann seléir d'
a reubadh,
Ól aig na ceudta agus leaba le luidh¬
eamh.
VIII
Tá 'n láir agus an searach a bh-focair a
chéile,
An t-seisreach 'san céachta, an treabh¬
thóir 'san síol;
As sin go d-ti maidin tá na h-uininidh a
méile,
Na caoiridh 'na d-treudadh 's leanbh 'g
mnaoi.
Ní'l tinneas no aicíd, ní'l galar no eug
ann,
Ach sagairt 's cléirigh a guibhe na naomh,
Bidheann mionnáin ag gabhair 's bainibh
aig céis ann,
A's bhidheann na ba 'g géimneadh a triall
air an laoigh.
IX
Tá mórán mór baintrighe fághail cabhair
's réidhteach,
Slíghe bídh agus eudaidh agus talamh gan
cíos;
Tá sgoláiridh bochta fághail sgoil agus
leun ann,
A's locht iarruigh na déirce 'g tarraing
'sa triall.
Sháruigh sé'n domhan air gach h-uile cheann
réidhtigh,
A's thug Rafterigh an sway dhó air a bh-
fhachaigh sé riamh:
Siúd chugaidh anois 'na shiolugh'dh Frainc
Taff,
Go shluagh Clann na n-Gaodhal é, 's go m-
budh buan é a shaoghal.
NEW YORK Dec. 1st., 1884.
Dear Sir, —
I wish to treat my Gaelic friends, through your
courtesy, in this issue of the Gael to RAFFERTY'S
favorite (it is said) song. “The Plains of Mayo."
It was dictated to me by Mr. John Ryan of Glan
island, near Castlebar. I know that the English
words, such as the names of fishes, will appear as
not well chosen, but the reader cannot fail to ob¬
serve that poets, ancient and modern, assume to
themselves a license which would not be tolerated
in prose. But, as I heretofore stated, I shall not
dare to alter it as it was sung by better singers
than I ever expect to be before I was born, and
will be, no doubt, sung when I am in dust, but I
ask through the Gael that if there exists a more
correct or a more original version to have it inser¬
ted as soon as possible.
I am, dear Mr, Editor, yours most truly for the
love of Ireland and her ancient language, For
which I would fain do more than sing or write an
old song, had I but a chance — a d-thigean thoo?
MARTIN P. WARD.
We forgot to give the air of "Sgar¬
adh ó na Ceud Ghrádh,” which appeared
in our last. It is sung to the air of
"Youghal Harbor."
? "Ceap a' Chaoin."
Navy Yard, Boston, Mass, Dec. 8. 8.
Editor Gael., — Sir;
I beg leave to state that the meeting
of the two Connaught poets, mention¬
ed in your last number, requires a
slight attention. O'Kelly was the
poet who visited MacSweeney, the
Connemara poet, and Clochán (Clifton),
not Newwort, was the place of meeting,
and the following was Sweeney’s reply
to O’Kelly. —
"Tá fear againn bacach, agus an fear
eile mantach, buidhe,
Agus ní feárda an baile a rachfadh an
cúpla thríd."
O’Kelly had a club foot, hence the
bacach alluded to. At one time he had
an interview with the Prince of Wales,
