Spré Uí Chearbhúlláin - Carolan's Dowry
or Captain Sudley

bride

This song is Carolan's dowry for his daughter Siobhan on the occasion of her marriage to Captain Sudley, a member of the king's army.

Carolan did not approve of his daughter, Siobhan, marrying Captain Sudley. The lyrics suggest that the bridegroom was well-to-do, and from this point of view he would have been a very eligible husband for the daughter of a poor man like Carolan. Further it is certain from Captain Sudley's name and profession that he was a Protestant, and of Carolan's devotion to the ancient faith there is abundant evidence ... Dónal O'Sullivan vol. 2 pg. 105.

le Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin
1. Ólaidh deoch go súgach,
Is bígí lúthmhar láidir!
An Té thug sin dúinn
Bhéarfaidh tuille dhúinn,
'Sé sin Rígh na nGrásta.

by Frank Osborne
Drink ye a draught merrily,
And be you(all) swift and hearty!
The One who gave this to us
Will bring more to us,
He is the King of Grace.

2. Preab san ól, déanamaoid spórt,
'Sí sin comhairle is fearr dhúinn,
Spalpaire súgach
I gcliú 's i n-eineach,
Is ólaidh sinn-ne a shláinte!

Drink with gusto, we'll make sport,
That's the advice we prefer,
Merry ne'er-do-well
In reputation and presence,
And we will drink to his health!

3.'Sí Siobhán gheal a' spéirbhean
Nár chuir spéis i gcruadhtain,
Lámh na féile
I gcliú 's i n-eineach,
'Sé sin réim ba dual dí.

Tis fair Siobhan's his fairy-woman
Who shuns hardship,
Hand of the feast
In reputation and presence,
That's the life she deserves.

notations

Irish Lyrics: from Carolan, the Life and times of an Irish Harper by Donal O'Sullivan, 1958 Vol. 2 No. 163 pg. 104.
Notations: Ibid. Vol. 1 pg.
English Lyrics: Francis Osborne of Kansas City, Missouri
Midi Music: Carolan's Dowry aka Captain Sudley.
Courtesy of Vivian and Jack Hennessey, Irishpage.com
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