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Written in the 18th century, the Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire is one of the most famous examples of a traditional Irish 'keen'--or song of wailing--performed by a widow over the deathbed of her husband. Black Haired Eileen's husband was slain by an Englishman who demanded that he sell him his horse; when he refused, he was gunned down. Eileen immortalized her grief in this epic poem, and to date it stands as one of the most poignant works of grief and loss. In this excerpt, she desperately implores her husband to return to life.
Lyrics:
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| Mo chara thu is mo chuid! A mharcaigh an chlaímh ghil, éirigh suas anois, cuir ort do chulaith éadaigh uasail ghlain, chuir ort do bhéabhar dubh, tarraing do lámhainní umat. Siúd í in airde t'fhuip; sin i do láir amuigh. Buail-se an bóthar caol úd soir mar a maolóidh romhat na toir, mar a gcaolóidh romhat na sruth, mar a n-umhlóidh romhat mná is fir... |
My friend and my heart's love! Oh Rider of the shining sword; Arise up, Put on your garments Your fair noble clothes; Don your black beaver, Draw on your gloves; See, here hangs your whip, Your good mare waits without; Strike eastward on the narrow road, For the bushes will bare themselves before you, For the streams will narrow on your path, For men and women will bow themselves before you... |