Shule aroon
Elane Lyrics


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I wish I was on yonder hill
'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill
And every tear would turn a mill
Is go dtí tú mo mhuirnín slán

[Chorus]
Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin
Siúil go doras agus ealaigh liom
Is go dtéann tú mo mhuirnín slán

I'll sell my rock, I'll sell my reel
I'll sell my only spinning wheel
To buy my love a sword of steel
Is go dtéann tú mo mhuirnín slán

I'll dye my petticoats, I'll dye them red
And round the port I'll beg my bread
Until my parents shall wish me dead
Is go dtí tú mo mhuirnín 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 dtéann tú mo mhuirnín slán

And 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 dtéann tú mo mhuirnín slán

[translation of the Irish chorus]
Go, go, go my love
Go quietly and peacefully




Go to the door and flee with me
And may you go safely my dear.

Overall Meaning

Elane's ballad "Shule Aroon" tells a sorrowful story of a woman feeling lost and heartbroken due to her lover's departure. In the first verse, the woman wishes she could go to a nearby hill to cry her heart out, expressing how each tear would feel as heavy as a millstone. The chorus reiterates the title of the song, which means "come with me, my love," as the woman begs her lover to return to her side, asking him to leave peacefully so they can be together again.


In the second verse, the woman declares that she is willing to sacrifice everything she has to offer her lover, even her most prized possessions like her rock, reel and spinning wheel. She promises to buy him a sword of steel, willing to do anything to make her love feel protected and safe. In the third verse, the woman shows her determination to win back her lover's love, stating that she will dye her petticoats red and beg for her bread around the port until her parents wish her death. In the fourth verse, she wishes to have her heart back, admitting that she would not complain even if it meant having it broken again. The last verse reveals that the woman's love has gone to France to seek his fortune, leaving his heartbroken beloved behind.


Overall, "Shule Aroon" is a traditional Irish ballad that delves into the pain and longing of a woman who has lost her love. The song's melancholic theme of longing for the return of a lover has made it a lasting favorite among folk music fans.


Line by Line Meaning

I wish I was on yonder hill
I desire to be on the distant peak


'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill
I'd weep as much as I want while sitting there


And every tear would turn a mill
My tears would power a mill


Is go dtí tú mo mhuirnín slán
Until you return safely, my beloved


Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
Walk, walk, walk, my love


Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin
Walk calmly and walk quietly


Siúil go doras agus ealaigh liom
Walk to the door and flee with me


Is go dtéann tú mo mhuirnín slán
And may you go safely, my dear


I'll sell my rock, I'll sell my reel
I'll sell my belongings


I'll sell my only spinning wheel
I'll sell the only thing I use to make a living


To buy my love a sword of steel
To purchase a sword for my lover's protection


I'll dye my petticoats, I'll dye them red
I'll color my clothes red


And round the port I'll beg my bread
I'll beg for food at the harbor


Until my parents shall wish me dead
Until my parents abandon any hope for me


I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
I hopelessly long for


I wish I had my heart again
To have my heart back


And vainly think I'd not complain
And foolishly believe I wouldn't protest


And now my love has gone to France
My love has departed to France


To try his fortune to advance
To seek a better fate


If he e'er comes back 'tis but a chance
If he returns, it's a mere probability


Is go dtéann tú mo mhuirnín slán
Until you return safely, my beloved


Go, go, go my love
Walk, walk, walk, my love


Go quietly and peacefully
Walk calmly and walk quietly


Go to the door and flee with me
Walk to the door and flee with me


And may you go safely my dear.
And may you go safely, my dear




Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

TheDanobot

This is the best upbeat version i have ever heard.. beautiful!

Bách Hóa Cô Trang

i love this version the most

Cloudy Langels

Elane schaffen es doch, sich jeden Song zu eigen zu machen, einfach spitzenmäßig!!!

Niki The Magnificent

We're singing this in choir and it's absolutely beautiful

Seanus32

Shule Aroon is closer to a Scots dialect. Aroon meaning around :) Siuil a Ruin, it's been done by Clannad :) Slainte mhaithe

FaerieTigerLilly

@HexReinette It's actually "Siuil a Ruin/Run" =) Yeh, it's an Irish Folk Song, but it's likely it's original lyrics and meaning are lost to time, especially since the song was traditionally all in Gaelic

Steffen S

absolut hoehernswert super Band

Xiao Zhan Lovebot

@fallingblack it is, the original modern day one was first performed by celtic woman (and their version is more awesome actually)

MsSamanthaFaith

OMG! Me too!

Alazais

It's a cover, but a good one.

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