Translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
The Song of Caitilin ni Uallachain
Language: English after the Irish (Gaelic)
In vain, in vain, we turn to Spain -- she heeds us not. Yet may we still, by strength of will, amend our lot. O, yes! our foe shall yet lie low -- our swords are drawn! For her, our Queen, our Caitilin ni Uallachain! Yield not to fear! The time is near -- with sword in hand We soon shall chase the Saxon race far from our land. What glory then to stand as men on field and bawn, And see all sheen our Caitilin ni Uallachain! How tossed, how lost, with all hopes crossed, [we long]1 have been! Our gold is gone; gear have we none, as all have seen; But ships shall brave the Ocean's wave, and morn shall dawn On Eire green, on Caitilin ni Uallachain. Let none believe this lovely Eve outworn or old -- Fair is her form, her blood is warm, her heart is bold. Though strangers long have wrought her wrong, she will not fawn -- Will not prove mean, our Caitilin ni Uallachain! Her stately air, her flowing hair -- her eyes that far Pierce through the gloom of Banba's doom, each like a star; Her songful voice that makes rejoice hearts Grief hath gnawn, Prove her our Queen, our Caitilin ni Uallachain! We will not bear the chains we wear, not bear them long We seem bereaven, but mighty Heav'n will make us strong, The God who led through Ocean Red all Israel on Will aid our Queen, our Caitilin ni Uallachain! O, Virgin pure! our true and sure defence thou art! Pray thou thy Son to help us on in hand and heart! Our Prince, our Light, shall banish night, then beameth Dawn, Then shall be seen our Caitilin ni Uallachain! Summing-Up Phœbus shines brightly with his rays so pure, The moon and stars their courses run; The firmament is not darkened by clouds or mist, As our true king with his troops over the ocean comes. Our priests are as one man imploring Christ, Our bards are songful, and their gloom dispelled; [The poor Gael of Inis-Eilge in calm now rest Before James, the son of James, and the Duke Who over ocean comes.]2
C. Loeffler sets stanzas 3, 4:1-2, 5:3-4, 6-7, 9
1 Loeffler: "we"
2 Loeffler:
Our souls are hopeful, our hearts know not fear When we think of our Caitilin ni Uallachain! So morn shall dawn on Eire green, on Caitilin ni Uallachain! The God who led through Ocean Red all Israel on Will aid our Queen, our Caitilin ni Uallachain.
Text Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "The Song of Caitilin ni Uallachain" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Irish (Gaelic) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Charles Martin Tornov Loeffler (1861 - 1935), "The Song of Caitilin ni Uallachain", published 1935, stanzas 3, 4:1-2, 5:3-4, 6-7, 9 [ voice and orchestra ], from Five Irish Fantasies, no. 5 [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-09-07
Line count: 38
Word count: 362