Inspiration Friday – Siúil a Rúin

In keeping with the Celtic theme of March’s Inspiration Fridays, I’ve decided on one of my favourite Irish folk songs and which is also one of the first Irish songs I learnt. Those who often read these blogs will know by now that I love history as much as folklore and mythology. I also seem to be pulled more towards songs which tell a story and have some history (no, ‘golden oldies’ from the year 2000 do not count…).

“Siúil a Rúin” is a traditional Irish song, sung from the point of view of a woman lamenting a lover who has embarked on a military career, and indicating her willingness to support him. The song has English language verses and an Irish language chorus, a style known as macaronic.” (More information here.)

As with many traditional or folk songs, there are various versions of the song. The one I’m quoting below is the version I know best. But first, two music videos – one of “Siúil a Rúin” and the other “Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier”; an American variant of the song. I’ve also included an Afrikaans translation of the song just for fun.

The English lyrics:

Siúil a Rúin

I wish I was on yonder hill

'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill

And every tear would turn a mill

Is go dté tú mo mhuirnín slán

Chorus

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin

Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin

Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán

(Walk, walk, walk, O love,
Walk quickly to me, softly move;
Walk to the door, and away we'll flee,
And safe may my darling be)

I'll sell my rock, I'll sell my reel

I'll sell my only spinning wheel

To buy my love a sword of steel

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán

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

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain

I wish I had my heart again

And vainly think I'd not complain

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán

The Afrikaans translation of this version:/Die Afrikaanse vertaling van hierdie weergawe:

Gaan, my liefling

Ek wens ek was op daardie heuwel,

Daar sal ek sit en al my trane stort,

En elke traan sal ’n meul laat draai,

Mag jy veilig gaan my liefling.

Refrein:

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin

Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin

Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán

(Stap, stap, stap my lief,

Stap saggies en stap stil,

Stap na die deur en ontsnap saam met my,

En mag jy veilig gaan my liefling.)[1]

Ek sal my spinstok, my spintol

En my enigste spinwiel verkoop,

Om vir my geliefde ’n swaard van staal te koop,

Mag jy veilig gaan my liefling.

Ek sal my onderrokke kleur, ek sal hulle rooi kleur,

En oor die wêreld heen vir my brood bedel,

Totdat my ouers my sal dood wens,

En mag jy veilig gaan my liefling.

Ek wens, ek wens, ek wens tevergeefs,

Ek wens ek het my hart weer gehad,

En dink vergeefs dan sal ek nie kla,

Mag jy veilig gaan my liefling.

Picture of this beautiful spinning reel found here.

Have a lovely weekend!

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[1] Die refrain ka nook vertaal word as: Kom, kom, kom, o liefling,/ Kom vinnig na my, beweeg saggies;/ Kom na die deur en ons sal wegvlug/ En mag jy, liefling, vir altyd veilig wees! maar ek hou meer van die ‘s’ alliterasie in die ander vertaling saam met die betekenis van die refrein en die oorspronklike klanke van die Ierse woorde.