"Women of Ireland", or "Mná na h-Éireann" in Irish, is a beautiful song
composed by Seán Ó Riada (1931--1971). The poem, on which the music is
based, was written by Peadar Ó Dornín (?1704--1769), This video
features the Gaelic lyrics. Below is an English translation, though
there are variations (only the first two verses are sung in this
version):
There's a woman in Erin who'd give me shelter and my fill of ale;
There's a woman in Ireland who'd prefer my strains to strings being played;
There's a woman in Erin and nothing would please her more
Than to see me burning or in a grave lying cold.
There's a woman in Erin who'd be mad with envy if I was kissed
By another on fair-day, they have strange ways, but I love them all;
There are women I'll always adore, battalions of women and more
And there's this sensuous beauty and she shackled to an ugly boar.
There's a woman who promised if I'd wander with her I'd find some gold
A woman in night dress with a loveliness worth more than the woman
Who vexed Ballymoyer and the plain of Tyrone;
And the only cure for my pain I'm sure is the ale-house down the road.
