An Mhaighdean Mhara

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


An Mhaighdean Mhara / Traditional arrangement by Denise Kelly
This is the song of the Maighdean Mhara or mermaid. The story of a man marrying a mermaid and having a family with her is well known in folk tradition in Co. Donegal, Ireland and North Western Europe. The song and its haunting air were found only in Gweedore, although it has now become very popular. The song takes the form of a conversation between the mermaid and her daughter. The mermaid longs to return to the sea, but cannot do so until she finds her magic cloak. When she eventually finds it, she knows she must return to her natural habitat. It breaks her heart to have to leave her dear children, Pádraig and Máire and so we have the song.


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