Her international performances include membership as a principal soloist with the world renowned Irish chamber choir Anúna from 1994 to 1998, touring the United States as a soloist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, touring South Africa with Lord of the Dance, and concerts in Japan and Korea.
Ailein Duinn
Méav Lyrics
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Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'éirigh
Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Ma 'se leabaidh dhut an gheamainn
Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Ma 's en t-iasg do choinlean geala
Ma 's e na ròin do luchd-faire
Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Dh'òlainn deoch ge boil le càch e
De dh'fhuil do choim 's tu 'n déidh do bhathadh
Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
The lyrics of the song Ailein Duinn by Méav are in Scottish Gaelic and express the pain and sorrow of a woman who has lost her lover. The first two lines describe her state of being as she wakes up in the morning, feeling low and depressed. Then, the chorus speaks of her desire to go away with her lover, Ailein Duinn, wherever he may be, as if they are wandering through the hills and valleys. The next verse speaks of her longing for her lover's company even if she had to lie on a bed of stones. The chorus repeats after this verse, expressing her eagerness to be with him.
In the third verse, the woman speaks of her willingness to drink the blood of her lover, or of anyone in general, just to feel a sense of belonging or to quench her thirst for love. The final chorus serves as a culmination of all the woman's emotions, and the singer repeats the melody with a more intense and emotional voice.
Overall, the song is a lamentation of love and loss, expressing the desire to escape from the pain of separation and to be with the loved one, even if it means going through hardship and sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
Gura mise tha fo éislean
I am under despair
Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'éirigh
Early in the morning I rise
Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Oh, I would walk with you
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hey, hey, roving o
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Hey, hey, roving o
Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Dark-haired Alan, oh, I would walk with you
Ma 's'en cluasag dhuit a ghaineamh
If you need an earthenware vessel
Ma 'se leabaidh dhut an gheamainn
If you need a bed of sand
Ma 's en t-iasg do choinlean geala
If it's white-bellied fish you desire
Ma 's e na ròin do luchd-faire
If it's seals for the hunters
Dh'òlainn deoch ge boil le càch e
I would drink a drink with anyone
De dh'fhuil do choim 's tu 'n déidh do bhathadh
Of the blood of your body, after you've drowned
Contributed by David D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.