Collection of Irish Song Lyrics

Gleanntáin Ghlas

Author: Francie Mooney

Appears on Altan's album 'Runaway Sunday', The Johnstons' album 'The Barley Corn' and Paul Brady performed it for the CD 'CuimhnĂ­ Gaeltachta'.

Céad slån ag sléibhte maorga chondae
DhĂșn na nGall Agus dhĂĄ chĂ©ad slĂĄn ag an
Earagal ĂĄrd, ina stua os cionn caor 's call
Nuair a ghluais mise thart le loch DhĂșn LĂșich,
go ciĂșn sa ghleann ina lui I mo dhiaidh bhĂ­
GleanntĂĄin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair, is beag nĂĄr bhris mo chroĂ­
Ag taisteal domh amach frid chnoic
Ghleann Domhain, 's an Mhucais ar mo chĂșl
NĂ­ miste domh 'rĂĄ le brĂłn 's le crĂĄ, ghur fhreasach
a shil mise sĂșil Go 'MeiriceĂĄ siar, a bhĂ­ mo thriall,
i bhfad thar an fharraige mhór D'fhag mé slån ar feadh
seal ag DĂșn na nGall, 's ag GleanntĂĄin Ghlas'
Ghaoth Dobhair NĂ­orbh Ă© mo mhiansa imeacht
ariamh ó mo thír bheag dhilis féin
Ach trom låmh Gall, le cluain 's le feall, a thiomåin mé i gnéill
B'Ă© rĂșn mo chroĂ­se pilleadh arĂ­s, nuair a dhĂ©anfainn
beagĂĄn stĂłr 'S deireadh mo shaoil a chaitheamh lem ghaoil,
fĂĄ GhleanntĂĄin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair SlĂĄn, slĂĄn go fĂłill a
DhĂșn na nGall, a chondae shĂ©imh gan smĂĄl 'S do
d'fheara bréa in am an ghå, når umhlaigh riamh
roimh Ghall TĂĄ ĂĄit i mo chroĂ­ do gach fear a gach mnaoi, 's
gach påiste beag agus mór Áta beo go buan,
gan bhuairt gan ghruaim, fĂĄ GhleanntĂĄin Ghlas'
Ghaoth Dobhair

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
Farewell to the noble mountains of Donegal
And twice farewell to tall Erigal,
arching over rowen and ash tree
When I passed by Dunlewey Lake,
lying quietly in the glen
Behind me were the green glens of Gweedore,
it nearly broke my heart
Travelling through Glendowan's Hills,
and Muckish behind me I don't mind saying
with sorrow and grief, that tears fell from my eyes
Westward to America was my journey,
far across the wide sea
I said farewell for a while to Donegal,
and the green glens of Gweedore
I never wanted to leave my own beloved land
But the foreigner's heavy handed deceipt
and treachery drove me away
It would be my heart's desire to return again,
when I should get a little money
To spend the end of my life with my family,
'round the green glens of Gweedore
Yet farewell, farewell to Donegal County fine and fair
And to your brave men who in time of need,
did not ever cower before the foreigner
There's a place in my heart for each man and woman,
each child big and small
Who live in peace, without sorrow or grief,
in the green glens of Gweedore

From: 'Brian hOireachtaigh'

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