Cúirt Bhaile Nua

Amhrán grá éagmaise, nó chanson d’amour mar a thug Seán Ó Tuama air,  ó dhearcadh an fhir é seo agus seans maith gur i gCo. Mhaigh Eo a cumadh é. Is iomaí amhrán den tsórt seo atá i dtraidisiún na hamhránaíochta Gaeilge agus is é an cineál céanna teanga a úsáidtear go minic iontu. Sa gcineál seo amhráin moltar áilleacht na mná; bíonn an fear croíbhriste agus tinn nach bhfuil sé in ann a bheith in éineacht léi; geallann sé talamh, seodra agus saibhreas, ach ní dhéantar aon mhaith.

This is an unrequited love song, or a chanson d’amour as catagorised by Seán Ó Tuama, from the male perspective and it most likely originated from Co. Mayo. There are many songs similar to this in the sean-nós tradition and the same type of rhetoric is often used. In these songs, the man praises the woman’s beauty; he is heartbroken and physically sick that he cannot be with her; he makes promsies of land, jewels and riches, but to no avail.

Cúirt Bhaile Nua

Is lá breá dhár éiríos ar maidin

Ag triall dhom ar Chúirt Bhaile Nua

Cé a d’fheicfinn ach mo Neilí ag gabháil tharam

’S ba ródheas a leagan is a snua.

Bhí a grua bán ní ba ghile ná an eala

Ná sneachta mín éadrom an lae

’S a stóirín nach trua leat mo chás-sa

Mar gur lag lúbach a d’fhág tú mé.

Tá teaichín deas gleoite sa ngleann agam

Is bím ann go huaigneach liom fhéin

’S dhá dtiocfadh mo Neilí ar cuairt agam

Thabharfainn póigín deas milis dhá béal.

Nach iomaí cailín deas a chraithfeadh lámh liom

’S a thiocfadh ar cuairt agam le mí

Ach dhá bhfaighinnse leo ór buí agus diamonds

’Sí Neilí atá i gceartlár mo chroí.

Cén t-iontas dhá lasfadh an talamh

’S cén t-iontas dhá mbrisfeadh mo chroí

Cén t-iontas mo dhá súil a bheith leata

’S a liachtaí deoir a shil siad le mí.

Tá mise tinn brónach le fada

Deir mo mhuintir gur athraigh mo shnua

Ag dearcadh go géar ar an gcailín

Atá ina cónaí i gCúirt Bhaile Nua.

’S nach mbíonn brón ar an té nach mbíonn críonna

’S nach ndéanann gach ní mar ba chóir

Ach is mise mé fhéin atá ciontach

Mar nach ndeachaigh mé in am faoina comhair.

Ó thabharfainnse cáil agus cliú di

Ach níl goir agam labhairt léi níos mó

’S go siúlfainn seacht ríochta na hÉireann

Leis an gcailín atá i gCúirt Bhaile Nua.

Cúirt Bhaile Nua

As I rose one fine morning

On the way to Newtown Court

Who would I spy but my Neilí

Her complexion and bearing, so beautiful to behold.

White of cheek and brighter than the swan

The snow blushed softness of the day

Oh, my love you know not my pain

Left me twisted, weak and reeling.

I have a small house in the glen

Where I am alone and lonely

If my Neilí would only visit me

I’d kiss her fine sweet lips gladly.

Many’s the fine girl would shake my hand

And would call on me this last month

But if I had gold and diamonds for my cause

It’s Neilí has my heart’s wont.

What matter if the earth went on fire

And what matter if my own heart broke

What matter if my eyes were weeping

From shedding tears for a month.

I am weary and sad for some time now

My family say my appearance has altered

From staring at the girl

Who lives in Newtown Court.

Woe is he who is not wise

And plays not by the book, no surprise

I alone am guilty

For not asking for her hand sooner.

I'd give her honour and fame

But I can speak to her no more

I'd walk the seven kingdoms of Ireland

With the girl in Newtown Court.

Translation: Dairena Ní Chinnéide