This song was written by one of Tipperary’s most famous historical figures, Charles Kickham. His most famous song today is undoubtedly Slievenamon or as it was originally known as "The Maid of Slievenamon". This song is recognized by Tipperary people world wide as their National Anthem and is sung at major occasions within the county and in particular after hurling and football games.

Slievenamon ( Sliabh na mban, mountain of the women, 2,564 feet ), is a broad isolated dome, a conspicuous landmark from the plain northward. The view from its summit is one of great extent and much beauty, with a diversity of mountain and valley, river and wood but except for the view, it has not much to offer to the climber except a fine walk. The English lyrics are certainly not a translation of the Irish but rather a parody on the tune.

Is oth liom féinig bualadh an lé úd Do dhul ar Ghaeil bhochta is na céadta slad Mar tá na méirligh ag déanamh game dinn á rá nach aon ní leo pike nó sleá Níor tháinig ár major i dtús an lae chugainn Is ní rabhamar féin ann i gcóir ná i gceart Ach mar sheolfaí aoireacht bó gan aoire Ar thaoth na gréine de Shliabh na mBan	Alone, all alone, by the wave-washed strand All alone in a crowded hall. The hall it is gay and the waves they are grand But my heart is not here at all. It flies far away, by night and by day, To the time and the joys that are gone. And I never can forget the sweet maiden I met, In the valley near Slievenamon.
Mo léan léir ar an dream gan éifeacht Nár fhan le héirim is d'oíche stad Go mhéadh dúiche Déiseach is Iarthar éireann Ag triall le chéile ón tír aneas Bhéadh ár gcampaí déanta le fórsaí tréana Bhéadh cúnamh Dé linn is an saol ar fad Is ní dhíolfadh meirleach darbh ainm Néill sinn Is bhuafaí an réim linn ar Shliabh na mBan	It was not the grace of her queenly air Nor her cheek of the rose's glow. Nor her soft black eyes, not her flowing hair Nor was it her lily-white brow. 'Twas the soul of truth and of melting ruth, And the smile of summer's dawn That stole my heart away, one mild summer day, In the valley near Slievenamon.
Is tá an Francach faobhrach is an loingeas gléasta Le cranna géara acu ar muir le seal 'Sé an síorscéal go bhfuil a dtriall ar éirinn Is go gcuirfid Gaeil bhocht arís 'na gceart Dá mba dhóigh liom féineach go mb'fhíor an scéal úd Bheadh mo chroí chomh héadrom le lon an sceach Go mbeadh cloí ar mheirligh, is an adharc á séideadh Ar thaobh na gréine de Shliabh na mBan	In the festive hall, by the star-watched shore My restless spirit cries: my love, Oh my love, shall I ne're see you more, And my land will you ever uprise. By night and by day I ever, ever pray, While lonely my life flows on To our flag unrolled and my true love to enfold, In the valley near Slievenamon.

The Irish lyrics are about the fighting men being slaughtered on the slopes of Sliabh na mBan during the 1798 uprising. On the 23rd of July 1798 a body of United Irishmen assembled on Sliabh na mBan mountain in Tipperary. Their plans were known and the deliberate lighting of a signal fire at an unexpected time caused great confusion. General Sir Charles Asgill marched from Kilkenny and attacked and dispersed the rebels. The song is often attributed to Mícheál Óg Ó Longáin.

Courtesy of Jack & Vivian (ar dtús x-mmv),
IrishPage.com November 2024
Replay background music: Slievenamon
For phonetics consult the pocket dictionary Fóclóir Póca.

Filleadh go liosta
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