An Mhaighean Mhara (The Mermaid)

This is a traditional Irish song that I learned from my mentor, Mary McLaughlin, called An Mhaighdean Mhara. The song is a conversation between a mermaid and her daughter. The mermaid is married to a mortal man, and has taken a human form. She is trapped between the two worlds, torn between the love for her daughter and the desire to return to the sea. An Mhaighdean Mhara Lyrics Irish Is cosúil gur mheath tú Nó gur threig tú an greann. Tá an sneachta go frasach Fá bhéal na n-áitheann’ Do chúl buí daite ’S do bhéilín sámh, Siúd chugaibh Maerí Shinidh ’S í ’ndiaidh ’n Éirne ’shnamh. “A ’mháithrín dhílish,” Dúirt Máire Bhán, Fá bhruach a’ chladaigh ’S fá bhéal na trá, Is maighdean mhara Mo mháithrín ard Siúd chugaibh Maerí Shinidh ’S í ’ndiaidh ’n Éirne ’shnamh. Tá mise tuirseach Agus beidh go lá, Mo Mháire bhruinngheal, ’S mo Phádraig bán, Ar bharr na dtonnta ’S fá bhéal na trá,” Siúd chugaibh Maerí Chinidh ’S í ’ndiaidh ’n Éirne ’shnámh Tá an oíche seo dorcha is tá an ghaoth i ndrochaird Tá an tseisreach ina seasamh is na spéartha go hard Ach ar bharr na dtonnta ’S fá bhéal na trá,” Siúd chugaibh Maerí Chinidh ’S í ’ndiaidh ’n Éirne ’shnámh An Mhaighdean Mhara Lyrics English translation It’s likely you deteriorated Or that you abandoned fun. The snow is falling heavily On the mouth of the ford. Your yellow colored hair And your quiet little mouth, Here you have Mary Hinny She’s just after swimming the Erne. “Oh mother of mine,” Said fair Mary, “Under the bank of the stony beach And under the mouth of the sandy beach, My noble mother is A mermaid (silkie),” Here you have Mary Hinny She’s just after swimming the Erne “I am tired and I will be until the day, My bright breasted Mary, My fair Patrick, On top of the waves And under the mouth of the beach,” Here you have Mary Hinny She’s just after swimming the Erne The night is dark and the wind is at an ill height The plough is standing up And the skies are high But On top of the waves And under the mouth of the beach,” Here you have Mary Hinny She’s just after swimming the Erne