I wish I were on yonder hill;
‘Tis there I’d sit and cry my fill
'Til every tear would turn a mill.
* Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán…
I’ll sell my rock, I’ll sell my reel,
I’ll sell my only spinning wheel
And 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 for 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…
But now my love has gone to France
To try his fortune to advance.
If he e’er comes back, ‘tis but a chance…
Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán…
— Siúil a Rún, Trad. Irish.
* Translation: ‘May you go safely, my darling.’
Artwork: Siúil a Rún, by Vassantha.
