An Mhaighdean Mhara (The Mermaid)

Sung by Máiréad Ní Domhnaill, Máire Brennan & Máiréad Ní Mhaonaigh (Altan) The story of a man marrying a mermaid is common in the oral tradition in Ireland and Northwestern Europe. This version come from the singing of Áine Uí Laoi, Dobhair Láir, Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Dhún na nGall, who learned it from Síle Mhicí Uí Ghallchóir. Síle called the song “Amhrán Thoraí“ and knew many more verses to it. The song is a conversation between the Mermaid and her daughter, Máire. The mermaid must leave her family and return to the sea now that she has found her magic cloak (or seal skin in some versions). Is cosúil gur mheath tú nó gur thréig tú an greann Tá an sneachta go frasach fá bhéal na trá Do chúl buí daite is do bhéílín sámh Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh is í i ndiaidh an Éirne shnámh A mháithrín mhilis duirt Máire bhán Fá bhruach an chladaigh is fá bhéal na trá Maighdean mhara mo mháithrín ard Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh is í i ndiaidh an Éirne shnámh Tá mise tuirseach agus beidh go lá Mo Mháire bhruinneall is mo Phádraig bán Ar bharr na dtonnta is fá bhéal na trá Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh is í i ndiaidh an Éirne shnámh Tá an oíche seo dorcha is tá an ghaoth i ndroch aird Tá an tseisreach na seasamh is na spéarthaí go hard Ach ar bharr na dtonnta is fá bhéal na trá Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh is í i ndiaidh an Éirne shnámh The Mermaid It seems that you have faded away and abandoned the love of life The snow is spread about at the mouth of the sea Your yellow flowing hair and little gentle mouth We give you Mary Chinidh to swim forever in the Erne My dear mother, said blonde Mary By the edge of the shore and the mouth of the sea A mermaid is my noble mother We give you Mary Chinidh to swim forever in the Erne I am tired and will be forever My fair Mary and my blond Patrick On top of the waves and by the mouth of the sea We give you Mary Chinidh to swim forever in the Erne The night is dark and the wind is high The Plough can be seen high in the sky But on top of the waves and by the mouth of the sea We give you Mary Chinidh to swim forever in the Erne