Gorse (in Irish. ‘aitinn’) in some Irish music.
My thanks once again to writer and folklorist, Róise Ní Bhaoill for these links. She tells me she finds gorse referred to in Irish more in songs than in poetry. The three examples here are an absolute treat.
This wonderful tune will set your heart racing.
Seán Ó Riada, “Cnocáin Aitinn Liatroma” – The Whinny Hills of Liatrom
A tragic song
Róise says, “Here Belfast man and stalwart of Cumann Chluain Ard, Albert Fry sings A Mháire Ní Mhaoileoin”. I know this tune in its lively version as ‘The Eniskillen Dragoons’ but here it is offered with immense tenderness and nuance as a tragic ballad. Exquisite.
Song: A Mháire Ní Mhaoileoin
An dtiocfá ag baint an aitinn liom
A Mháire Ní Mhaoileoin?
Thiocfainn is dá cheangal leat
Mo chuid den tsaol ‘s a stóir!
Would you come cutting furze with me
O Máire Ní Mhaoileoin?
I would and I would bind with you
My darling and my own.
Albert Fry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHtXJCWDIY0
You’ll find a longer version of the lyrics in Irish and English here
A happy song
Róise tells us, “Pádraig Ó Maoileoin (1913-2002), born Com Dhíneol Thuaidh, Dún Chaoin, Co. Kerry. A version of Will Ye Go Lassie Go, using the imagery of the yellow blossom on the gorse for both the bower and with reference to scent.”
I am going to pinch that opening line! “Summer is coming yellow-ly” and the final line of the first verse, “The yellow flower is on the tip of the gorse”. The use of gorse instead of heather for the building of the bower creates a picture of a glowing golden-ness.
Tá an samhradh ag teacht go buí
Agus duille ar chrainn go fairsing;
Tá nead ag cearca fraoigh
Is bláth buí ar bharr an aitinn.
Tar liúm, a chailín liúm!
Agus siúlfaimid le chéile
Go bhfaighimid nead an éin
Sa ghleann ag bun an tsléibhe.
Tar liúm, a chailín liúm!
Tógfad grianán duit
Agus thart air fál ‘na sheasamh;
Agus cuirfidh mé ar a bharr
A bhfuil de bhláth ar bharr an aitinn.
Dá n-imeodh mo ghrá bán
Thiocfadh ceann ‘na háit ar maidin
Ó thaobh an ghleanna bháin
Ón bhfraoch agus ón aiteann.