Beití Uí Crofton - Madam Crofton
The Crofton Crest
The Crofton Family Crest

The Croftons were Catholic. Their son, James fell madly in love with Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Edward Robinson of Sligo, a Protestant. Both families objected to the marriage.

James Crofton tried in vain to win his father's consent. The father would not relent and threatened to cut James off without a shilling if he went ahead. In the end, James turned Protestant and as such was awarded all his father's estates and he married Elizabeth Robinson for whom Carolan wrote this song.

le Turlough O'Carolan
Is mór mo spéis san óig-mhnaoi,
Dar liom féin budh chóir sin.
Madam Crofton súgach geanamhuil,
Bean lé'r bh'ionmhuin ceól.

'Sí do bhéaradh an léann dámh
Gach oidhche, gach uair 's gach am ceart.
Leanbh deas na gcam-dhlaoi,
'Sí is uaisle ceansuidhe cáil.

Cailín cáirdeach, crábheach, cliúiteamhuil,
Bean lé'r gnáthach a cáirde súgach,
Ní bhfuighe aon neach bás le tart
Dá mbeith do chroidh-se dá comhar;

Mar atá Beití chroidheamhuil na gcraobh-fholt daite,
Is geal a píob 's a brághaid gheal,
Is deas a béal, a lámh 's a déad,
'Sé dhearbhuigheas síol Ádhmha.

Is binn beacht, grinn ceart a chanas sí gach glór,
Planda an tséin dár mian a bheith cóir,
A leaca úr ar snuadh na h-eala,
Is buan go cinnte súd dá aithris;

Is fíor gur naomhtha an duine
Fuair mar chéile plúr na finne.
Ní bheidh brón san oidhche air
Ná aríst go moch ar maidin,

Tráth bhias Beití shíothamhail
Slán i gcomhnuidhe a n-aice.
Beannughadh Dé ar a gcúpla
D'oiche agus do lá!

by Frank Osborne
Great is my interest in the young women,
I believe that is appropriate.
Madam Crofton loveable,
A woman competent with music.

She who bears scholarly education
Every night, every hour, and every right moment.
A fine child of the curly hair,
She who is noblest, gentlest of reputation.

A friendly girl, pius, honorable,
A woman who was patron to her merry friends,
No one will die of thirst
If your heart is working with them;

Betty the cordial, of the flowing, colorful hair,
Bright is her throat and white her neck,
Her mouth is pretty, her hand and her teeth,
She is progeny of Adam & Eve.

It's sweet, accurate true she sings every sound,
The senna plant of our liking is apropos,
Her fresh cheeks the appearance of the swan,
Certainly it is to recite;

It is true that blessed is the person who
Received as spouse the flower of fairness.
There will be no sadness on him at night
Nor again early in the morning

Once Betty was peaceful
Health always near her.
A blessing of God on their marriage
By night and by day!

notations

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The circumstances of the marriage of James Crofton and Elizabeth Robinson have already been recounted above. The poem would suggest that this song was composed at the time of the marriage or not long afterwards, i.e. c. 1732. The title of the poem in D.F.S. is 'Mrs. Crofton of Longford, Co. Sligo: by Carolan'. ... Donal O'Sullivan.

Midi Music: Madam Crofton's Feast
Irish Text: Carolan, the Life and times of an Irish Harper by Donal O'Sullivan, 1958 Vol 2 pg 18 No 24.
Translated into English by Frank Osborne of Kansas City, Missouri.


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