Siúil A Rúin
Encyclopedia
"Siúil a Rúin" is a tradtional Irish
song, sung from the point of view of a woman lamenting a lover who has embarked on a military career, and indicating her willingness to support him. The song has English language
verses and an Irish language
chorus, a style known as macaronic.
The title translates to "go, my love" (or variants): siúil is an imperative, literally translating to "walk!", a rúin is the vocative of rún, a term of endearment.
" of the Glorious Revolution
. If it does, however, the original version has probably been lost: All versions of the song have Modern English lyrics, and not a scrap of either Irish or Early Modern English verses survives. It is not uncommon that Irish songs were translated into English, with their chorus surviving in Irish, or being transformed into nonsense words (see Caleno custure me
), but in most of these cases, traces of the Irish version survive. It was also observed that the reference to the spinning wheel
the girl wants to sell is more suggestive of the 19th than of the 17th century, and it is possible that the song was composed in the 1800s with the conscious intention of styling it after older songs.
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
is a well-known American variant dating to the Revolutionary War, sharing a common melody and similar lyrics.
on different occasions, e.g. on the BBC's "The Highland Sessions" or with Altan on "Altan Beo - 21 Bliain ag Ceol".
Recordings include Scantily Plaid on their album, "Just Checking In", Édain on "JOYceFUL", Éilís Kennedy on "One Sweet Kiss", Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill on Donal Lunny's Coolfin, Allison Barber on "Traveling Home", Órla Fallon
from Celtic Woman
on the album of the same name
, Lisa Kelly
(who was also with Celtic Woman) on "Lisa", Ciúnas on "Celtic Tiger", Aoife Ní Fhearraigh
on "If I Told You", Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill
& Iarla Ó Lionáird
on "Sult", Anúna
on "Invocation" with Lucy Champion, Connie Dover
on "The Wishing Well", Akelarre Agrocelta on "La Amenaza Celta", Nora Butler on "Geantraí" and Siobhan Owen
on "Purely Celtic".
The song has also been recorded by Kate Price
, Lintie, Acabella, Anam, The Irish Group, Caoilte Ó Súilleabháin, Nollaig Casey, Kate Crossan, Carmel Gunning
, Sissel Kyrkjebo with the Chieftains
, Sarah English, and Bruadar. "Siúil a Rúin" is one of the songs in Flatley's
Lord of the Dance
. Versions of "Buttermilk Hill" have been performed by The Black Country Three, Dan Gibson, Alisa Jones, Judy Collins
, Noah Saterstrom and The Weavers
.
One translation of the Irish chorus is
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
song, sung from the point of view of a woman lamenting a lover who has embarked on a military career, and indicating her willingness to support him. The song has English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
verses and an Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
chorus, a style known as macaronic.
The title translates to "go, my love" (or variants): siúil is an imperative, literally translating to "walk!", a rúin is the vocative of rún, a term of endearment.
History
The history of the song is unclear. It was suggested that it refers to the "Wild GeeseFlight of the Wild Geese
The Flight of the Wild Geese refers to the departure of an Irish Jacobite army under the command of Patrick Sarsfield from Ireland to France, as agreed in the Treaty of Limerick on October 3, 1691, following the end of the Williamite War in Ireland...
" of the Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
. If it does, however, the original version has probably been lost: All versions of the song have Modern English lyrics, and not a scrap of either Irish or Early Modern English verses survives. It is not uncommon that Irish songs were translated into English, with their chorus surviving in Irish, or being transformed into nonsense words (see Caleno custure me
Caleno custure me
Caleno custure me is the title of a song mentioned in Shakespeare's Henry V . The context is on a Hundred years war battlefield, where an English soldier cannot understand his French captive and intending to answer in similar gibberish pronounces the title of the song.Caleno custure me Caleno...
), but in most of these cases, traces of the Irish version survive. It was also observed that the reference to the spinning wheel
Spinning wheel
A spinning wheel is a device for spinning thread or yarn from natural or synthetic fibers. Spinning wheels appeared in Asia, probably in the 11th century, and very gradually replaced hand spinning with spindle and distaff...
the girl wants to sell is more suggestive of the 19th than of the 17th century, and it is possible that the song was composed in the 1800s with the conscious intention of styling it after older songs.
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
"Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier" is an American folk music song that dates to the American Revolution. The lyrics lament the sacrifices that men and women make in going off to war.ll- Origins :...
is a well-known American variant dating to the Revolutionary War, sharing a common melody and similar lyrics.
Modern performance
"Siúil a Rúin" is one of the most widely sung songs in the Irish repertoire. Well-known performances are by Clannad from their album Dúlamán and Mary BlackMary Black
Mary Black is an Irish singer. She is well known as an interpreter of both folk and contemporary material which has made her a major recording artist in her native Ireland, and in many other parts of the world....
on different occasions, e.g. on the BBC's "The Highland Sessions" or with Altan on "Altan Beo - 21 Bliain ag Ceol".
Recordings include Scantily Plaid on their album, "Just Checking In", Édain on "JOYceFUL", Éilís Kennedy on "One Sweet Kiss", Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill on Donal Lunny's Coolfin, Allison Barber on "Traveling Home", Órla Fallon
Órla Fallon
Órlagh Fallon , professionally known as Órla Fallon, is an Irish soloist, songwriter and former member of the group Celtic Woman and the chamber choir Anúna.- Life and career :...
from Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman is an all-female musical ensemble conceived and assembled by Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance...
on the album of the same name
Celtic Woman (album)
Celtic Woman is the eponymous debut album of the singing group Celtic Woman. The members of the group were first featured on the PBS musical special also by the same name. With the help of said special, Celtic Woman reached #1 on the World Music charts within weeks and remained there for a record...
, Lisa Kelly
Lisa Kelly
Lisa Ann Kelly is a singer of both classical and celtic music. She has taken part in many musical theatre productions and concerts, and is a member of the musical group Celtic Woman.-Early life:...
(who was also with Celtic Woman) on "Lisa", Ciúnas on "Celtic Tiger", Aoife Ní Fhearraigh
Aoife Ní Fhearraigh
Aoife is an Irish singer and composer, born in Gweedore , northwest County Donegal. She performs Traditional Irish and New Age music, in the style of other musicians native to the Donegal area like Clannad, Moya Brennan, Enya and Altan...
on "If I Told You", Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill
Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill
Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer from Kells, County Meath. Known for her work with the short-lived, but very highly regarded Skara Brae and her collaborations with sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, as well as other traditional musicians...
& Iarla Ó Lionáird
Iarla Ó Lionáird
Iarla Ó Lionáird is an Irish singer and producer well known for his involvement with the Afro Celt Sound System. He is one of the most prominent artists of the Irish Sean nós singing tradition, and has released three solo albums through Real World Records, the third being Invisible Fields,...
on "Sult", Anúna
Anúna
Anúna is an Irish choral group. In 1987 Dublin composer Michael McGlynn founded An Uaithne, a name which describes the three ancient types of Celtic music, Suantraí , Geantraí and Goltraí . One of the group's stated aims is to explore and redefine this music...
on "Invocation" with Lucy Champion, Connie Dover
Connie Dover
Connie Dover is an American singer-songwriter who primarily writes and performs Celtic music and American folk music. Born in Arkansas and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, she started her career playing bluegrass before joining Celtic band Scartaglen in the early 1980s...
on "The Wishing Well", Akelarre Agrocelta on "La Amenaza Celta", Nora Butler on "Geantraí" and Siobhan Owen
Siobhan Owen
Siobhan Owen is a soprano and harpist from Adelaide, Australia. Owen was born on 4 October 1993 in North Wales and lived in the small Anglesey village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch before moving to Australia with her family in November 1995. Owen regularly performs...
on "Purely Celtic".
The song has also been recorded by Kate Price
Kate Price
Kate Price is a hammered dulcimer player and vocalist born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has made recordings on several labels, including Priceless Productions, Access Music, Higher Octave / Om Town, Narada Productions, and LunaVerse Music....
, Lintie, Acabella, Anam, The Irish Group, Caoilte Ó Súilleabháin, Nollaig Casey, Kate Crossan, Carmel Gunning
Carmel Gunning
Carmel Gunning is an Irish composer and musician, from Sligo, Ireland. Gunning is one of Ireland's most accomplished tin whistle players who is also known for her singing and flute playing. Gunning's rich stylised form of whistle playing and tradition stems from her homeland of Geevagh in South...
, Sissel Kyrkjebo with the Chieftains
The Chieftains
The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
, Sarah English, and Bruadar. "Siúil a Rúin" is one of the songs in Flatley's
Michael Flatley
Michael Ryan Flatley is an American Irish dancer, choreographer, actor, musician and occasional television presenter. He became internationally known for Irish dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger...
Lord of the Dance
Lord of the Dance (musical)
Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role...
. Versions of "Buttermilk Hill" have been performed by The Black Country Three, Dan Gibson, Alisa Jones, Judy Collins
Judy Collins
Judith Marjorie "Judy" Collins is an American singer and songwriter, known for her eclectic tastes in the material she records ; and for her social activism. She is an alumna of the University of Colorado.-Musical career:Collins was born and raised in Seattle, Washington...
, Noah Saterstrom and The Weavers
The Weavers
The Weavers were an American folk music quartet based in the Greenwich Village area of New York City. They sang traditional folk songs from around the world, as well as blues, gospel music, children's songs, labor songs, and American ballads, and selling millions of records at the height of their...
.
Recordings and performances
- Acabella - Siúil a Rúin (After Albany - 02) (2002)
- Akelarre Agrocelta - Siúil a Rúin (La Amenaza Celta - 04) (2005)
- Allison Barber - Siúil a Rúin (Traveling Home - 03)
- Altan - Siúil a Rúin with Mary Black, Altan Beo - 21 Bliain ag Ceol, Celtic Connections, Glasgow, 2006
- Anam - Siúil a Rúin (First Footing - 03) (2000)
- AnúnaAnúnaAnúna is an Irish choral group. In 1987 Dublin composer Michael McGlynn founded An Uaithne, a name which describes the three ancient types of Celtic music, Suantraí , Geantraí and Goltraí . One of the group's stated aims is to explore and redefine this music...
- Siúil a Rúin (Celtic Origins DVD, Trinity Cathedral Ohio 2007) - AnúnaAnúnaAnúna is an Irish choral group. In 1987 Dublin composer Michael McGlynn founded An Uaithne, a name which describes the three ancient types of Celtic music, Suantraí , Geantraí and Goltraí . One of the group's stated aims is to explore and redefine this music...
- Siúil a Rúin (Invocation - 11) (1994) - Aoife Ní FhearraighAoife Ní FhearraighAoife is an Irish singer and composer, born in Gweedore , northwest County Donegal. She performs Traditional Irish and New Age music, in the style of other musicians native to the Donegal area like Clannad, Moya Brennan, Enya and Altan...
- Siúil a Rúin (If I Told You - 09) (2006) - Barbara Karlik - Siúil a Rúin (Karczma Niedokończonych Opowieści/Inn of Unfinished Tales - 02) (2010)
- Bruadar - Siúil a Rúin (Bruadar - 07)
- Caoilte O' Súilleabháin - Siúil a Rúin (Before Leaving - 03) (2002)
- Carmel GunningCarmel GunningCarmel Gunning is an Irish composer and musician, from Sligo, Ireland. Gunning is one of Ireland's most accomplished tin whistle players who is also known for her singing and flute playing. Gunning's rich stylised form of whistle playing and tradition stems from her homeland of Geevagh in South...
- Siúil a Rúin (The Lakes of Sligo - 04) - Cécile CorbelCécile CorbelCécile Corbel is a French-Brettone singer and harper. She has released four albums of original music and worked for Studio Ghibli as a composer for their 2010 film, The Borrower Arrietty...
- Suil a Ruin (Songbook 1 - 01) (2006) - Cécile Girard - Siul a run (Sur un fil doré - 09)
- Celtic WomanCeltic WomanCeltic Woman is an all-female musical ensemble conceived and assembled by Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance...
(Órla FallonÓrla FallonÓrlagh Fallon , professionally known as Órla Fallon, is an Irish soloist, songwriter and former member of the group Celtic Woman and the chamber choir Anúna.- Life and career :...
) - Siúil a Rún (walk my love) (Celtic Woman - 08) (2004) - Ciúnas - Siúil a Rúin (Celtic Tiger - 08) (2001)
- Clannad - Siúil a Rún (Dulaman - 07) (1976)
- Connie Dover - Siúil a Rúin (The Wishing Well - 04) (1994)
- Éilís Kennedy - Siúil a Rúin (One Sweet Kiss - 08) (2006)
- Elane - Shule Aroon (The Fire of Glenvore) (2004)
- Elizabeth CroninElizabeth CroninElizabeth "Bess" Cronin was an Irish singer who specialized in traditional music.Born in West Cork, the daughter of Seán Ó hIarlaithe, a schoolteacher, she lived in the Baile Bhuirne area all her life. She spent her teenage years on her uncle's farm nearby. She married Seán Ó Croinin and they...
- Siúil a Rúin (Folksongs of Britain, Vol 1, Songs of Courtship - 10) - Jim CausleyJim CausleyJim Causley is an English folk singer, songwriter, and musician from Whimple, East Devon, England.-Biography:Jim Causley is a folk singer and musician from Devon who specializes in the traditional songs and music of the West Country and Devon in particular...
- Shulé Rune (Lost Love Found - 05) (2007) - Kate Crossan - Siúil a Rúin (Voice Of The Celtic Heart - 09) (2001)
- Kate PriceKate PriceKate Price is a hammered dulcimer player and vocalist born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has made recordings on several labels, including Priceless Productions, Access Music, Higher Octave / Om Town, Narada Productions, and LunaVerse Music....
- Siúil a Rún (Deep Heart's Core - 08) (1997) - KokiaKokia (singer)is a Japanese singer-songwriter, who performs under the stage name Kokia . She is best known for her songs and "The Power of Smile." She is also recognised for her numerous contributions to anime/game soundtracks, the most notable being "Ai no Melody/Chōwa Oto " for the film...
- Siúil A Rúin (Fairy Dance: Kokia Meets IrelandFairy Dance: Kokia Meets Ireland-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 06) (2008) - Len GrahamLen GrahamWilliam George Leonard 'Len' Graham was a Northern Ireland international footballer and football manager.He played at full-back and won 14 caps for Northern Ireland and also represented the Irish Football Association....
& Skylark - Siúil a Rúin (The Celts Rise Again - 11) - Lintie - Siúil a Rún
- Lisa KellyLisa KellyLisa Ann Kelly is a singer of both classical and celtic music. She has taken part in many musical theatre productions and concerts, and is a member of the musical group Celtic Woman.-Early life:...
- Siúil a Rúin (Lisa - 01) (2005) - Lord of the Dance (musical)Lord of the Dance (musical)Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role...
- Siúil a Rúin (Lord Of The Dance - 02) (1996) - Maighréad Ní DhomhnaillMaighread Ní DhomhnaillMaighread Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer from Kells, County Meath. Known for her work with the short-lived, but very highly regarded Skara Brae and her collaborations with sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, as well as other traditional musicians...
& Ó Iarla Lionaird, - Siúil a Rúin (Sult - 09) (1997) - Maighréad Ní DhomhnaillMaighread Ní DhomhnaillMaighread Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer from Kells, County Meath. Known for her work with the short-lived, but very highly regarded Skara Brae and her collaborations with sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, as well as other traditional musicians...
& Tríona - Siúil a Rúin (Donal Lunny's Coolfin - 11) - Mary BlackMary BlackMary Black is an Irish singer. She is well known as an interpreter of both folk and contemporary material which has made her a major recording artist in her native Ireland, and in many other parts of the world....
- Siúil a Rúin (The Highland Sessions - BBC4 2005 - Killiecrankie, Perthshire) - Mary BlackMary BlackMary Black is an Irish singer. She is well known as an interpreter of both folk and contemporary material which has made her a major recording artist in her native Ireland, and in many other parts of the world....
- Siúil a Rúin (Full Tide - 09) (2005) - Morning Star - Siúil a Ghrá (Away Ye Go Now! - 14)
- Na CasaidighNa CasaidighNa Casaidigh or The Cassidys in English are an Irish traditional group. They have been based in Dublin for many years, but they originally hail from Gweedore, County Donegal. The group consists of brothers Aongus, Seathrún, Ciarán, Fionntán, Feargus, and Odhrán...
- Siúil, a Ghrá (Farewell My Love) (13) (1961) (The Cassidys) - Natural Gas - Siúil a Rúin (Live in Belgium - 13) (2000)
- Nora Butler - Siúil a Rúin - Geantraí (www.tg4.ie) 2007-06-21
- Reeltime - Siúil a Rúin (The Celtic Spirit of Ireland CD 2 - 03)
- Scantily Plaid - Siúil a Rúin (Just Checking In - 01)
- Siobhan OwenSiobhan OwenSiobhan Owen is a soprano and harpist from Adelaide, Australia. Owen was born on 4 October 1993 in North Wales and lived in the small Anglesey village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch before moving to Australia with her family in November 1995. Owen regularly performs...
- Siúil a Rún (Purely Celtic - 08) (2008) - Sissel Kyrkjebo & the ChieftainsThe ChieftainsThe Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
- Siúil a Rúin (Tears of Stone -12) (1999) - The Irish Group - Siúil a Rúin (Going Home - 05)
- The Songs of Elisabeth Cronin
- Sarah McCaldwin and The Corrs on her album: Destiny and on their album: Forgiven Not Forgotten.
- Nolwen Leroy - Siúil a Rúin (Album "Bretonne") (2011)
Lyrics
- I wish I was on yonder hill
- 'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill
- And every tear would turn a mill
- Is go dté tú mo mhuirnín slán
- Chorus
- Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
- Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin
- Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom
- Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán
- I'll sell my rockDistaffAs a noun, a distaff is a tool used in spinning. It is designed to hold the unspun fibers, keeping them untangled and thus easing the spinning process. It is most commonly used to hold flax, and sometimes wool, but can be used for any type of fiber. Fiber is wrapped around the distaff, and tied in...
, I'll sell my reelSpinners weaselSpinner's weasel or clock reel is a mechanical yarn measuring device consisting of a spoked wheel with gears attached to a pointer on a marked face and an internal mechanism which makes a "pop" sound after the desired length of yarn is measured . The pointer allows the spinner to see how close... - I'll sell my only spinning wheel
- To buy my love a sword of steel
- Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán
- I'll dye my petticoats, I'll dye them red
- And round the world I'll beg my bread
- Until my parents shall wish me dead
- Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán
- I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
- I wish I had my heart again
- And vainly think I'd not complain
- Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán
- But now my love has gone to France
- to try his fortune to advance
- If he e'er comes back 'tis but a chance
- Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán
One translation of the Irish chorus is
- Go, go, go my love
- Go quietly and peacefully
- Go to the door and flee with me
- And may you go safely my dear.
External links
- http://www.pbm.com/pipermail/minstrel/2002/005372.html
- http://www.michaelflatley.com/fanreflections2.cfm?id=4115