Bó na Leathadhairce

Amhrán é seo a bhaineann go mór le Barra na hUíne i bparóiste na Dromad ach ata coitianta anois ar fud na tíre. Tán feirmeoir bocht go brónach tar éis dá chaora bhreá dul ar iarraidh air sa chnoc. Is léir ón amhrán áfach, go bhfuil an feirmeoir bocht den dtuairim gur goideadh uaidh í! An bailitheoir béaloidis Fionán Mac Coluim a sholáthraigh an leagan seo é féin do Roinn Bhéaloideas Éireann sa bhliain 1960.

This is a song which is mainly associated with Barra na hUíne in the parish of Dromid, but which is sung throughout Ireland. It’s believed locally that the song refers to the Great Famine, where a poor farmer laments the loss a sheep in the mountains. It’s obvious, however, that the farmer has his suspicions, believing his sheep may have been stolen. The version reproduced here was given by the collector Fionán Mac Coluim to the Department of Irish Folklore in 1960.

Thíos cois na toinne is ea a beathaíodh mo chaora,

Ó, ag Diarmaid Ó Duilleáin ó Bharra na hUíne;

Mac dearthár athar dom a chuir le faill í,

Easpa tobac a bhí ar an gcladhaire!

Curfá:

Bó, bó, bó na leathadhairce,

Bó, bó 'sí an tseana chaora adharcach!

Bó, bó, bó na leathadhairce,

Bó dhroimeann dearg is ní fheadar cá bhfaighinn í.

B’fhearr liom ná scilling go bhfeicfinn mo chaora,

Teacht go dtí an doras ar maidin nó istoíche,

Thálfadh sí bainne dhom, bheathódh sí uan dom,