Donal agus Morag
Altan Lyrics
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Bhi tuataniaigh na h-Alban ann,
Bhi 'n maistir scoile 'san ministir ann,
Bhi an laoch Mac Amhlaigh ann.
Donal, 'se Donal,
'Se Donal a rinne an bhainis,
Donal agus Morag a rinne an
Bhi cearcan ann, is bhi geoidh ann,
Bhi corr is dosean sgairbh ann,
Seo bha iad is bhi car bi ann,
'Se cearc na n-ean a b'fhear dhuidh ann.
Donal, 'se Donal,
'Se Donal a rinne an bhainis,
Donal agus Morag a rinne an
bhainis ainmeil.
Bhi braidain 's bric on Eirne ann,
Is fluirse feoil na bhfia n-ean ann,
Feol mart is lao, ba bhlasta bhi,
Bhi uanfheol friochta is oisfheoil ann.
Donal, 'se Donal,
'Se Donal a rinne an bhainis,
Donal agus Morag a rinne an
bhainis ainmeil.
Bhi 'n di go fial 's fairsing ann,
Bhi brannda is fion na Spainne ann,
Bhi poitin stil is mead le mil,
Bhi beoir is leann na h-Eireann.
Donal, 'se Donal,
'Se Donal a rinne an bhainis,
Donal agus Morag a rinne an
bhainis ainmeil.
An Bearla
The song "Donal agus Morag" by Altan is written in Irish Gaelic and talks about a wedding that took place in a town that had many distinguished people from the Scottish Highlands, as well as important locals like the schoolteacher and the minister. The hero of the song, Mac Amhlaigh, was also in attendance. The chorus repeats the names of the bride and groom, Donal and Morag, celebrating their famous wedding.
The lyrics also mention the presence of various farm animals like chickens, geese, and wild ducks, along with salmon and beef, which were all part of the feast at the wedding. The song further describes the abundance of drinks like Irish beer and ale, Spanish wine, and poitin, a traditional Irish distilled beverage.
The song is a traditional reel, and the melody is played with traditional Irish instruments such as the fiddle, Uilleann pipes, guitar, and bodhrán. The song is an example of the Sean-nós style of Irish music, where the lyrics are sung unaccompanied, followed by an instrumental piece. The song has been covered by different artists in various styles, from Irish rock to classical orchestration.
Line by Line Meaning
Bhi moran daoine uasal ann,
There were many noble people there,
Bhi tuataniaigh na h-Alban ann,
There were Tuatha Dé Danann of Scotland there,
Bhi 'n maistir scoile 'san ministir ann,
There was a schoolteacher who was also a minister there,
Bhi an laoch Mac Amhlaigh ann.
The hero Mac Amhlaigh was there.
Donal, 'se Donal,
Donal, it's Donal
'Se Donal a rinne an bhainis,
It was Donal who got married
Donal agus Morag a rinne an bhainis ainmeil.
Donal and Morag made a famous wedding.
Bhi cearcan ann, is bhi geoidh ann,
There were hens and there were geese there,
Bhi corr is dosean sgairbh ann,
There were pheasants and some bitter blackberries there,
Seo bha iad is bhi car bi ann,
Here they were and there was a turnip cart too,
'Se cearc na n-ean a b'fhear dhuidh ann.
It was poultry that the dark man was looking for there.
Bhi braidain 's bric on Eirne ann,
There was trout and salmon from the River Erne there,
Is fluirse feoil na bhfia n-ean ann,
There was plenty of meat from fowl and game there,
Feol mart is lao, ba bhlasta bhi,
Beef and calf meat were most delicious,
Bhi uanfheol friochta is oisfheoil ann.
There was prime lamb and excellent venison there.
Bhi 'n di go fial 's fairsing ann,
There was a vast and generous table there,
Bhi brannda is fion na Spainne ann,
There was Spanish brandy and wine there,
Bhi poitin stil is mead le mil,
There was distillate along with mead and sweet milk,
Bhi beoir is leann na h-Eireann.
There was Irish ale and beer there.
Donal, 'se Donal,
Donal, it's Donal
'Se Donal a rinne an bhainis,
It was Donal who got married
Donal agus Morag a rinne an bhainis ainmeil.
Donal and Morag made a famous wedding.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CURRAN, KENNEDY, O'SHAUGHNESS, NI MHAONAIGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind