Siúil a Rún

Commentary

A macaronic song — Irish chorus, English verses — which is itself part of the meaning. The woman left behind speaks in English, the everyday tongue of loss and waiting. But when she reaches for her deepest feeling, the language shifts to Irish: *Siúil a rún* — walk, my love. The song is associated with the "Wild Geese," the Irish soldiers who left for France after the Williamite War (1691), though the heartbreak it describes is older than any specific history. *Éalaigh liom* — flee away with me — is the plea she can't actually make; he's already gone. *Mo mhúirnín slán* — may my darling go safely — is what she's left with instead of him. ## Translation I wish I were on yonder hill 'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill And every tear would turn a mill Johnny has gone for a soldier Walk, walk, walk, my love Walk gently and walk quietly Walk to the door and flee away with me And may you go safely, my darling I'll sell my rod, I'll sell my reel I'll sell my only spinning wheel To buy my love a sword of steel Johnny has gone for a soldier Walk, walk, walk, my love Walk gently and walk quietly Walk to the door and flee away with me And may you go safely, my darling I'll dye my petticoats, I'll dye them red And round the world I'll beg my bread Until my parents shall wish me dead Johnny has gone for a soldier Walk, walk, walk, my love Walk gently and walk quietly Walk to the door and flee away with me And may you go safely, my darling