Méav Album

You brought me up and out of the water
You brought me up to forget
I had ever been, I could ever breathe
In the water under your heart

I darkened your door and your days, you said
You couldn't sleep the night
With the sound of the sea hard on my heels
Climbing the stairs to your bed

You promised me gloves from the skins of the fishes
The smile of a dolphin for a ring in my hands
You left me with nothing but a mouthful of air
And promises wide as the ocean

You left me down for once and for all
You left me out in the open
Under mackerel skies, high and dry
Way out of the reach of our sea

Way out of reach and out of my depth
I wear your love like a skin
That hurts when anyone touches me
Where you left me down for once and for all
Out of the reach of our sea

You promised me gloves from the skins of the fishes
The smile of a dolphin for a ring in my hands
But you left me with nothing but a mouthful of air
And promises wide as the ocean

You brought me up and out of the water
You brought me up to forget
I had ever been, I could ever breathe

A mother lived by the North Sea shore
Daughters were the babes she bore
One grew radiant as the sun
Darkly grew the elder one

A knight came riding to their door
He travelled far to be their wooer
He courted both with gold and rings
But loved the younger o'er all things

"Sister, won't you walk with me
To watch the ships sail o'er the sea?"
As they walked the rocky shore
The dark one pushed her sister o'er

"Sister, sister, let me live
All that's mine I'll surely give"
"Thy bridegroom I will take and more
But thou shalt never come ashore"

Off she floated like a swan
The salt sea bore her body on
You could not see her lily feet
Her golden fringes were so deep

A minstrel walking by the strand
Saw her body float to land
When he looked that lady on
He sighed and made a heavy moan

He made a harp of her breastbone
Whose sound would melt a heart of stone
Took the strands of her bright hair
And with them strung his harp so rare

He brought the harp to the wedding hall
There to play before them all
When they set it on a stone
The harp began to play alone

The strings sang out a dreadful sound
"The bride her younger sister drowned
Now her secret you all know

Is é mo choí gan mise maidin aerach (I regret that on this airy morning)
Amuigh i mBéarra im' sheasamh ar an dtrá (I am not out in Béarra sitting on the
beach)
Is guth na n-éan 'o'm tharraing tha na sléibhte cois na farraige (With the
voices of birds drawing me over the mountains beside the sea)
Go Céim an Aitinn mar ambíonn mo ghrá (To the Pass of the Furze where my love
is)
Is obann aoibhinn aiteasach do léimfhinn (I would caper about happily,
pleasantly)
Do rithfhinn saor ó anabhroid an tláis (I would run free from doubts and fears)
Do thabharfainn droim le scamallaibh an tsaoil seo (I turn my back on the clouds
of this life)
Dá bhfaighinn mo léirdhothain d'amharc ar mo chaoimshearc bán (If I could ever
get my fill of looking at my fair sweetheart)

Is é mo dhíth bheith ceangailte go faonlag (It is my sadness to be bound here in
weakness)
Is neart mo chléibh dá thachtadh 'nseo sa tsráid (The power of my spirit
suffocated here in the streets)
An fhad tá réim na habhann agus gaoth ghlan na farraige (While the rivers flow
and the pure sea wind)
Ag glaoch is gairm ar an gcroí seo i m'lár (Calls and summons the heart within
me)
Is milis bríomhar leathanbhog an t-aer ann (The air there is sweet and vigorous
and soft)
Is gile ón ngréin go farsing ar an mbán (And bright is the sun that shines on
the grasslands)
Is ochón, a ríbhean bhanúil na gcraobhfholt (But alas, oh gentle queen of the
curly hair)
Gan sinne araon i measc an aitinn mar do bhímis tráth (That we are not together

Full fathom five thy father lies
Of his bones are coral made
Those are pearls that were his eyes

Full fathom five thy father lies
Of his bones are coral made
Those are pearls that were his eyes
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange, rich and strange
Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell
Hark, now I hear them, ding-dong, bell

Ar Thoraigh na dtonn táim ag triall anonn
Thar farraige thorannach gharbh rí-dhoimhin
Tá na faoileáin ag glaoch, "Fáilte romhatsa ar ais"
Agus léimeann an bád le teann áthais fúm

Mar sin canaigí a ard-fhaoileáin sa spéir
Agus léim leat a bháid go háthasach san aer
Agus beir leat a ghaoth an scéal isteach go cuan
Ag fógairt go bhfuilim ag filleadh ar mo rún

To Toraigh na dtonn I am making my way
Over rolling waves, washed with salty spray
The seabirds skim the surging foam
And call from the island a welcome home

Leap, then, oh boat, with joy toward the sky
And cry out, you gulls, that circle now on high
And carry, oh wind, the word across to shore
And bear home the news of returning once more

Ar Thoraigh na dtonn (To Tory of the waves)
Táim ag tarraingt isteach (I am pulling in)
Im' shúile tá dóchas (In my eyes there is hope)
Im' chroí tá misneach (In my heart there is courage)
Óir chímse mo chéadshearc (Because I see my first love)
Ag feitheamh le m' theacht (Awaiting my coming)
Is ní scarfar ó chéile (And we will never)
Arís muid go brách (Be parted again)

Mar sin canaigí a ard-fhaoileáin sa spéir
Agus léim leat a bháid go háthasach san aer
Agus beir leat a ghaoth an scéal isteach go cuan

Abroad as I was walking one evening in the spring
I heard a maid in Bedlam who mournfully did sing
Her chains she rattled on her hands, and thus replied she
"I love my love because I know my love loves me

Oh cruel were his parents who sent my love to sea
And cruel was the sailing ship that bore my love from me
Yet I love his parents since their his, although they've ruined me
I love my love because I know my love loves me

With straw I'll weave a garland, I'll weave it wondrous fine
With roses, lilies, daisies I'll mix the eglantine
And I'll present it to my love when he returns from sea
I love my love because I know my love loves me"

Just as she sat there weeping, her love, he came on land
Then hearing she was in Bedlam he ran straight out of hand
He flew into her snow-white arms, and thus replied he
"I love my love because I know my love loves me"

She said, "My love, don't frighten me, are you my love or no?"
"Oh yes, my dearest Nancy, I am your love also
I am returned to make amends for all your injury
I love my love because I know my love loves me

Le long du quai les grands vaisseaux (Along the quay, the great ships)
Que la houle incline en silence (Silently swaying on the swell of the waves)
Ne prennent pas garde aux berceaux (They pay no attention to the cradles)
Que la main des femmes balance (Rocked by womens' hands)

Mais viendra le jour des adieux (But the day of good-byes will come)
Car il faut que les femmes pleurent (For women must weep)
Et que les hommes curieux (And restless men)
Tentent les horizons qui leurent (Must seek out alluring horizons)

Et ce jour-là les grands vaisseaux (And on that day the great ships)
Fuyant le port qui diminue (Leaving the port that diminishes behind them)
Sentent leur masse retenue (Feel their hulls held back)
Par l'âme des lointains berceaux (By the soul of the distant cradle)

Chorus (after each verse):
Gur h-e mo ghille dubh-dhonn He is my dark brown lad
Gur tù mo chuilean runach You are my beloved darling
Gur h-e mo ghille dubh-dhonn He is my dark brown lad

San a'raoir nach d'fhuair mi'n cadal It was last night I couldn't sleep
Bha mì fad 'nam dùsgadh I was awake for a long time

Smaointin air an fhear a thrèig mi Thinking of the man that forsook me
'S nach d'rinn feum dha chumhtan Who didn't keep his promise

He's gone, he's gone, my lover's gone
And left me broken hearted

Chuala mi gun d'rinn thù Dhomhnaill I heard, Donald
Posadh ann an Niubhraidh That you got married in Newry

Domhnall Donn the people say
You've married down in Newry

B'fhearr leam fhin a bheith riut posda I would prefer to be married to you
Na cuid ór a Phrionnsa Than to have the Prince's gold

I would rather have you, Donall
Than the gold of princes

Och nam och mar tha mi nochd Alas how I am tonight

I sit by the harbor
The sea calls to me
I hide in the water
But I need to breathe

Chorus:
You are an ocean wave, my love
Crashing at the bow
I am a galley slave, my love
If only I could find out a way to sail you
Maybe I'll just stow away

I've been run aground
So sad for a sailor
I felt safe and sound
But needed the danger

(Chorus twice)

Stow away

Chorus:
Dheannain sùgradh ris a nighean duibh (I played with the young dark-haired girl)
N' deidh dhomh eirigh as a 'mhadainn (When I woke in the morning)
Dheannain sùgradh ris a nighean duibh (I played with the young dark-haired girl)

Dheannain sùgradh ris a'ghruagaich (I played with the long-haired girl)
'Nuair a bhiodh a' sluagh nan codal (When everyone was asleep)

(Chorus)

Dheannain sùgradh an àm dùsgaidh (I played when we woke)
'N àm na siùil a bhith 'gam pasgadh (And when the sails were unfurled)

(Chorus)

Di-Luain an dèidh Di-dòmhnaich (On Monday, after Sunday)
Dh'fhalbh sinn le Seonaid a Aircaibh (We left the Orkneys on the Seonaid)

(Chorus)

Riof 'ga ceangal 's riof ga fhuasgladh (Reefs taken in and reefs shaken)
Muir ma guallain, fuaim is fead oirr' (Waves under her bow, and her booming and
whistling)

(Chorus)

Is Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún (Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún
Nach í seo aniar an bád (Is that not the boat coming from the west?
Is Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún (Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún
'S mo ghrá ar an mbuille láir (And my love at the mid-oar?)
Is Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún (Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún

Is Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún (Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún)
Is iarram ar Rí na ngrást (And I ask the King of grace)
Is Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún (Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún)
Mo ghrá a thabhairt chugam slán (To bring my love safely to me)
Is Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún (Dún Drumuilliún, muilliún, muilliún)

'Null ma chaolas na Ròimh (Across the straits of Rome)
B'fheudar dhuinn an "boom" a leaiseadh (We had to keep a tight grip on the boom)

(Chorus)

Null ma chaolas na Fraing (Across the narrow waters of France)
Maide 'na làimh is gaoth 'gha greasadh (She was under control and the wind
driving us)

(Chorus)

Dh'fheumadh pòrsan thigh 'nn à bùth dhith (She wouldn't want a gift from a
market)
Ged a bhiodh e crùn an cairteal (If a crown was her share)

(Chorus)

Ged a bhiodh e crùn an óirleach (Even if it were a crown of gold)
Dh'fheumadh pòrsan dheith thigh 'nn dhachaidh (She wouldn't want a gift brought
home to her)

Is bean ón slua sí mé (I am a woman from the Sí)
Do tháinig thar toinn (Who has come over the waves)
Is do goideadh san oíche mé (And I was taken at night)
Tamall thar lear (For a while abroad)
Is go bhfuilim as riocht so (And I am in this state)
Fé gheasa mná sí (Under geasa of the fairy woman)
Is ní bheidh ar an saol so (And I will not be in this world)
Go nglaofaidh an coileach (Until the cock crows)
Is caitheadsa féin (And I must go)
Tabhairt fén lios isteach (Into the lios)
Ní taithneamh liom é (It is no pleasure for me)
Ach caithfead tabhairt fé (But I must do it)
Is a bhfuil ar an saol so (And all that is in this life)
Caithfidh imeacht as (Must leave it)
Ach béadsa ag caoineadh'n (But I will be keening)
Fhaid a bheidh uisce sa toinn (As long as water remains in the wave)
Is ná deinig aon ní (And have no dealings)
Leis an ndream thíos sa leas... (With the crowd that is down in the lios...)

Is caitheadsa féin (And I must go)
Tabhairt fén lios isteach (Into the lios)
Ní taithneamh liom é (It is no pleasure for me)
Ach caithfead tabhairt fé (But I must do it)
Is a bhfuil ar an saol so (And all that is in this life)
Caithfidh imeacht as (Must leave it)
Ach béadsa ag caoineadh'n (But I will be keening)
Fhaid a bheidh uisce sa toinn (As long as water remains in the wave)
Is ná deinig aon ní (And have no dealings)

Silent, oh Moyle, be the roar of thy water
Break not, ye breezes, your chain of repose
While murmuring mournfully, Lir's lonely daughter
Tells to the night star her tale of woes

When shall the swan, her death note singing
Sleep with wings in darkness furled?
When shall Heav'n, its sweet bell ringing
Call my spirit from this stormy world?

Sadly, oh Moyle, to thy winter wave weeping
Fate bids me languish long ages away
Yet still in her darkness doth Erin lie sleeping
Still doth the pure light its dawning delay

When will that day star, mildly springing
Warm our isle with peace and love?
When shall Heav'n, its sweet bell ringing
Call my spirit to the fields above?

Chorus (after each verse):
C'est presqu'au bout du monde (It was almost to the end of the world)
Ma barque vagabonde (That my wandering boat)
Errant au gré de l'onde (Straying at the will of the waves)
M'y conduisit un jour (Led me one day)
L'île est toute petite (The isle is very small)
Mais la fée que l'habite (But the kind fairy that lives there)
Gentiment nous invite (Invites us)
A en faire le tour (To take a look around)

Youkali Youkali
C'est le pays de nos désirs (Is the land of our desires)
Youkali Youkali
C'est le bonheur, c'est le plaisir (Is happiness, pleasure)
Youkali Youkali
C'est la terre où l'on quitte tous les soucis (Is the land where we forget all
our worries)
C'est, dans notre nuit, comme une éclaircie (It is in our night, like a bright
rift)
L'étoile qu'on suit (The star we follow)
C'est Youkali (It is Youkali)

Youkali Youkali
C'est le respect de tous les voeux échangés (Is the respect of all vows
exchanged)
Youkali Youkali
C'est le pays des beaux amours partagés (Is the land of love returned)
C'est l'espérance (It is the hope)
Qui est au coeur de tous les humains (That is in every human heart)
La délivrance (The deliverance)
Que nous attendons tous pour demain (We await for tomorrow)

Youkali Youkali
C'est le pays de nos désirs (Is the land of our desires)
Youkali Youkali
C'est le bonheur, c'est le plaisir (Is happiness, pleasure)
Mais c'est un rêve, une folie (But it is a dream, a folly)
Il n'y a pas de Youkali (There is no Youkali)

Et la vie nous entraîne (And life carries us along)
Lassante, quotidienne (Tediously, day by day)
Mais la pauvre âme humaine (But the poor human soul)
Cherchant partout l'oubli (Seeking forgetfulness everywhere)
A, pour quitter la terre (Has, in order to escape the world)
Se trouver le mystère (Managed to find the mystery)
Où rêves se terrent (In which our dreams burrow themselves)
En quelque Youkali (In some Youkali)

Youkali Youkali
C'est le pays de nos désirs (Is the land of our desires)
Youkali Youkali
C'est le bonheur, c'est le plaisir (Is happiness, pleasure)
Youkali Youkali
C'est la terre où l'on quitte tous les soucis (Is the land where we forget all
our worries)
C'est, dans notre nuit, comme une éclaircie (It is in our night, like a bright
rift)
L'étoile qu'on suit (The star we follow)
C'est Youkali (It is Youkali)

Youkali Youkali
C'est le respect de tous les voeux échangés (Is the respect of all vows
exchanged)
Youkali Youkali
C'est le pays des beaux amours partagés (Is the land of love returned)
C'est l'espérance (It is the hope)
Qui est au coeur de tous les humains (That is in every human heart)
La délivrance (The deliverance)
Que nous attendons tous pour demain (We await for tomorrow)

Youkali Youkali
C'est le pays de nos désirs (Is the land of our desires)
Youkali Youkali
C'est le bonheur, c'est le plaisir (Is happiness, pleasure)
Mais c'est un rêve, une folie (But it is a dream, a folly)
Il n'y a pas de Youkali (There is no Youkali)

Mais c'est un rêve, une folie (But it is a dream, a folly)