Airdí Cuan

The Headlands of the Bay

Traditional (John McCambridge, c. 1793–1873)

currently learning antrimemigrantsean-noscounty-antrim

Gaeilge English

Dá mbeinn féin in Airdí Cuain In aice an tsléibhe úd 'tá i bhfad uaim B'annamh liom gan dul ar cuairt Go Gleann na gCuach Dé Domhnaigh

If only I were in Airdí Cuan Beside those mountains so far from me now I rarely missed a chance to visit The Cuckoo's Glen on a Sunday

Agus och, och Éire 'lig is ó Éire lionndubh agus ó Is é mo chroí 'tá trom agus brónach

And oh, oh Ireland and all, oh Ireland, melancholy and oh My heart is heavy and sorrowful

Is iomaí Nollaig a bhí agam féin I gCaisleán Dubh agus mé ar bheagán céille Ag iomáint ar an Tráigh Bhán Le mo chamán i mo lámh

Many a Christmas Day I spent In Cushendun when I was young and heedless Hurling on the White Shore Strand With my hurley in my hand

Agus och, och Éire 'lig is ó Éire lionndubh agus ó Is é mo chroí 'tá trom agus brónach

And oh, oh Ireland and all, oh Ireland, melancholy and oh My heart is heavy and sorrowful

[verses 3–4 — see source]

Notes

Composed by John McCambridge (Seán Mac Ambróis) from Mullarts near Glendun, County Antrim. An emigrant's lament for the townland of Airdí Cuan near Cushendun, Co. Antrim. Also spelled Aird Uí Chuain, Ard Tí Chuain. "Gleann na gCuach" = Cuckoo's Glen; "Caisleán Dubh" = Cushendun (Black Castle); "Tráigh Bhán" = White Strand. "Lionndubh" = melancholy (lit. black ale). Not to be confused with the Scottish Gaelic song "Tha Mo Ghaol Air Àird a' Chuain."

Source: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/albert-fry-ard-ti-chuain-english

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