Still use to a great extent!

_________________

Please wait for corrections/ more input from other forum members before acting on advice

Hi

I am a Finnish singer and I am fascinated by singing in different languages.
I am doing a new series of concerts soon and I would love to sing this song.

Is there anyone willing to help me with the pronunciation?
I could send some recordings with me singing and practising this song and maybe get some help and feed back.

In return, I am happy to send my cd(s) as a thank you.

Caoimhín posted a link of Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (who is a fluent native speaker) singing this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pez5rs4KCGw

And "franc" posted the lyrics (with the translation to English) from the actual cd.

Pé in Éirinn í - Whoever She is in Ireland

I ngleanntaibh séimhe na héigse a bhím - In pleasant glens of learning I dwell
I bhfanntais péine i ngéibh' gach laoi - Trapped each day in a painful faint
An tseanbhean ghlé ba bhéasach gnaoi - The bright old woman of great affection
Do scanraigh mé, pé in Éirinn í, pé in Éirinn í - Frightened me, whoever she is in Ireland.

Ní thráchtaigh mé ar chéile Naoise - I did not mention the partner of Naoise,
A thug ár na nGael ar théacht don Chraobh, - Who equated the slaughter of the Irish to the Cross
Ná an bháb an nGréig a chéas an Traí - Nor the child from Greece who tormented Troy
Le grá mo chléibh, pé in Éirinn í, pé in Éirinn í. - For the love of my heart, whoever she is in Ireland.

Ar nóin nuair a théim ar thaobh Suí Finn, - At noon when I go to Finn's Seat,
Faoi bhrón i gcéin is gan aon de mo bhuíon, - Sad and lonely with none of my company,
Cé sheoladh Aon Mhac Dé i mo lion, - Who does the Son of God send to me,
Ach stór mo chléibh, pé in Éirinn í, pé in Éirinn í, - But the love of my heart, whoever she is in Ireland

Is breá, deas, dréimeach, réidh a dlaoi, - Her tress is nice, lovely and emulous (?)
Go barr an fhéir ina slaod ar bis, - Also the top of the grass in swathes of spirals
A tláthfholt réidh de dhealramh a flíos, - Her gentle head of hair like fleece,
Ar ghrá mo chléibh, pé in Éirinn í, pé in Éirinn í. - Has the love of my heart, whoever she is in Ireland

Is cásmhar, taodach, déarach a bhím, - I am sad, stubborn and tearful,
Go cráite, créimeach, céasta ón mhnaoi, - Miserable, consumed and crucified by the woman,
Is fánach, faon gan chéill ar baois, - At times, subdued without a partner in lust,
Le grá don bhé, pé in Éirinn í, pé in Éirinn í. - With the love for the woman, whoever she is in Ireland

Le barra mo mhéar ní léir dam scriobhadh - My handwriting is not adequate
'S im theangain, mo léann, níl Béarla cruinn - And, alas, my English is not sufficiently perfect,
Ní blasta mo théacs, i nGaolain chaoin - My text in tender Irish is not sweet enough,
Le n-a molfainn mo bheith, pé in Éirinn í, pé in Éirinn í. - That I might praise my woman, whoever she is in Ireland.

That should get you going on the right track, I think.

Thank you so much.
Definetly, this is a huge help.

I still would prefer someone to actually check MY pronunciation, since I am gonna perform and record this song. I don't want it to sound like I have no idea what I am doing, nor am I trying to be perfect either, since I am not Irish )

So still, if there is someone who could listen to my recording and give me feed back, I would truly appreciate it!

Dia dhuit
This is a book and CD that you might be interested in getting hold of -
Singing in Irish Gaelic by Mary McLaughlin published by MelBay (I think this has already been recommended by Redwolf) There are various other songbooks you might like to have a look at such as Irish Songs We learned at School by John Spillane, there's a section on Litríoch called Ceol agus Amhráin. If you're interested in children's songs there's Plúra Lúra agus na Bopóga by Mary Ryan, songbooks by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagain - Peigín Leitir Mhóir, Gugalaí Gug! as well as Aniar. Last but not least (and I'm sure there's a lot more to add to the list, but I'll leave that to the others) there are two songbooks available from Oidhreacht Corca Dhuibhne (of which I've already made mention more than once here) Rabhlaí Rabhlaí and Tídil Eidil Éró.

Go ahead and post it on this forum; there are lots of people on here who will be happy to nit-pick your pronunciation.