Spanish lady
Celtic Woman Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

As I came down through Dublin City
At the hour of twelve at night
Who should I see but the Spanish Lady
Washing her feet by candlelight
First she washed them, then she dried them
Over a fire of amber coal
In all my life I ne?er did see
A maid so sweet about the soul

Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay

As I came back through Dublin City,
At the hour of half past eight
Who should I spy but the Spanish Lady
Brushing her hair in the broad daylight
First she tossed it, then she brushed it
On her lap was a silver comb
In all my life I ne?er did see
A maid so fair since I did roam

Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay

As I went back through Dublin City
As the sun began to set
Who should I spy but the Spanish Lady
Catching a moth in a golden net
When she saw me, then she fled me
Lifting her petticoat over her knee
In all my life I ne?er did see
A maid so shy as the Spanish Lady

Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay




Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay

Overall Meaning

The song "Spanish Lady" by Celtic Woman is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the tale of a man's encounter with a beautiful Spanish woman in Dublin city. The song is said to have originated in the 19th century, and it has since become a popular tune at Irish pubs and gatherings. The first verse describes the singer's surprise encounter with the Spanish Lady washing her feet by candlelight at midnight. He is enamored by her beauty and innocence, remarking that he has never seen "a maid so sweet about the soul."


The second verse finds the singer encountering the Spanish Lady again, this time in daylight, brushing her hair with a silver comb. He marvels at her beauty once more, noting that he has never seen "a maid so fair since I did roam." The final verse sees the Spanish Lady catching a moth in a golden net before fleeing at the singer's approach. He is struck by her shyness, remarking that he has never seen "a maid so shy as the Spanish Lady."


Overall, "Spanish Lady" is a romantic ode to beauty and innocence. The song's catchy melody and lively rhythm make it a popular tune for singing along at gatherings and celebrations.


Line by Line Meaning

As I came down through Dublin City
I was walking down the streets of Dublin


At the hour of twelve at night
It was midnight


Who should I see but the Spanish Lady
I saw a Spanish woman


Washing her feet by candlelight
She was cleaning her feet with the help of a candle


First she washed them, then she dried them
She washed and dried her feet one by one


Over a fire of amber coal
She used coals of amber color to heat the water


In all my life I ne’er did see
I had never seen before


A maid so sweet about the soul
A woman so pure and wholesome


Whack for the toora loora laddy
A nonsense phrase for entertainment purposes


As I came back through Dublin City,
I returned to Dublin


At the hour of half past eight
It was half past eight in the morning


Who should I spy but the Spanish Lady
I spotted the same Spanish woman


Brushing her hair in the broad daylight
In the daylight, she was brushing her hair


First she tossed it, then she brushed it
She first shook her hair and then brushed it


On her lap was a silver comb
She had a silver comb on her lap


In all my life I ne’er did see
I had never seen before


A maid so fair since I did roam
A woman so beautiful since I roamed around


As I went back through Dublin City
I went through Dublin again


As the sun began to set
It was sunset


Who should I spy but the Spanish Lady
Again, I saw the same Spanish woman


Catching a moth in a golden net
She was catching a moth with a net made of gold


When she saw me, then she fled me
She ran away when she saw me


Lifting her petticoat over her knee
She lifted her skirt to run faster


In all my life I ne’er did see
I had never seen before


A maid so shy as the Spanish Lady
A woman so shy like the Spanish Lady


Whack for the toora loora laddy
A nonsense phrase for entertainment purposes


Whack for the toora loora lay
A nonsense phrase for entertainment purposes


Whack for the toora loora laddy
A nonsense phrase for entertainment purposes


Whack for the toora loora lay
A nonsense phrase for entertainment purposes


Whack for the toora loora laddy
A nonsense phrase for entertainment purposes


Whack for the toora loora lay
A nonsense phrase for entertainment purposes




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TRAD. ARR: DOWNES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@nadiaellenliderlig8662

I truly love this Celtic Woman... No offense to the current ones, but this I feel closer to my soul.

@thegoodtasteguy1748

I agree. I love this Celtic Woman better too. I hope they all reunite with Celtic Woman someday.

@kianaconley7

I agree

@sayadavis4477

Agree I also love celtic woman and the current one but this will always be more meaningful to me or was without any doubt one of the best groups of celtic women

@sannekolind1368

Agree... If people ask who Celtic Women is, I'll always show this concert with these ladies..

@Joohnny_C

Agree. This was the best Celtic Woman group ever. No offence for the current ones. They re still amazing!

1 More Replies...

@karenhayman3848

I just really LOVE EACH ONE'S VOICE!!!!! DYNAMIC TOGETHER......❤❤❤❤❤❤

@0809musicfan

Wow, didn't know about these ladies until a few weeks ago, and now I am addicted. They all are very talented and have great voices. Can't wait to see them in person in March.

@CibelesSanz

Those are BEAUTIFUL voices and dresses! A wonderful song! Seven stars!

@dougfrombaltimore

Celtic Woman always sound great, but this group of 6  is still my favorite

More Comments

More Versions