The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #35701   Message #1995001
Posted By: GUEST,tara mackenzie
12-Mar-07 - 11:00 PM
Thread Name: Translation of Roisin dubh into english
Subject: RE: Translation of Roisin dubh into english
This one was one of my grandmothers favorites. I am no Irish scholar, but I know both the irish and english for this one enough to sing it.
the translation i have is from the book songs of the irish by Donal o'Sullivan
and is a poetic translation rather than direct literal.
I hope this helps anyone still interested.
www.myspace.com/taramackenziefolk

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my rose do not be sad for what has happened to you
the friars are drawing closer from across the sea
Romes' pardon for my darling
will ease her woes and wine from spain
salve the pain of my small black rose.

Long faring throught Erin since yesterday evening
lough erne in my yearning
I lept outright
over highways and by ways the pilgrin goes
aflame with the name of my small black rose

I adore thee whach over thee the livelong year
with no guerdon for love's burdon
but dark dispair with spirits pining
health declining my passion grows,
yet vainly I want to go to thee my small black rose

I'd roam the gloaming through munster's plain over hill side her heart to gain
she is fairer than any flower that blowds is she sheilding my pleading
my small black rose.