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The Mermaid's Song​/​Seoladh na nGamhna

from Birken Tree by IONA

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(Driving the Calves to Pasture)

Bob and Barbara take the spotlight with two beautiful solos. The Mermaid's Song is one of the most haunting piping tunes we know. Seoladh na nGamhna, from the collection of Pilib Ó Laoghaire, describes with unsurpassed grace, the seduction of the singer's object of affection in "a fragrant little nook in the corner of the wood".

lyrics

Lá dá rabhas ar (a) thaobh a'ghleanna
Ag seoladh na ngamhn' fé bhfásach
Casadh orm spéirbhean mhaorga mhaisiúil
Chiúintais bhanúil náireach;
D'fhiosraíos féin den spéirbhean chailce
"A' dtiocfá seal im' pháirtíocht?
'S le fáinne an lae beam araon 'nár seasamh
Ag seoladh na ngamhn' fé'n bhfásach".

"Ag seoladh na ngamhn' sea d'fhág mé an baile
'Gus ceann ní bhfaighidh mé go lá dhíobh
Tá m'athair gan chéill im' dhiadh sa bhaile
'S mo mháithrín buartha cráite".
"Gheobham cead saor ó mhaor na coille
Fér a thabhairt go lá dhóibh
'S le fáinne an lae beam araon 'nár seasamh
Ag seoladh na ngamhn' fé'n bhfásach".

"Tá crainnín cumhra i lúb na coille
'Gus raghaimid araon go lá ann,
Beidh ceol na n-éan dár síorchur a chodladh
'S tuilleadh' s tortha a' fás air".
"A rún mo chléibh, ná bíodh ort ort aon mhairg
Ní baol, dúinn maor ná páiste
Seo dhuit póigín ar bharra mo bhaise
'Sa stóirín, mo chúig céad slán leat".

credits

from Birken Tree, released December 18, 2000
Barbara Ryan: vocals;
Bernard Argent: Eb whistle;
Bob Michell: Highland pipes;
Nick Smiley: bowed 5-string bass

license

all rights reserved

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IONA Washington, D.C.

IONA has been taking its unique brand of traditional Celtic music to festivals, arts centers, schools & house concerts all over North America and Europe since 1986, blending music from the various Celtic traditions with stories and a little humor - Barbara Ryan (vocals, bouzouki, bodhran), Bernard Argent (flute, doumbek), Chuck Lawhorn (bass), Jim Queen (fiddle, banjo) & Kathleen Larrick (dance). ... more

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