MISE RAFTERAÍ

I AM RAFTERY

by Anthony Raftery, 1784-1835

 

Mise Rafteraí an file

[Misha Raftery unn filla]

 

Lán dóchais is grá

[Lawn dokhash iss graw]

 

Le súile gan solas

[Leh soola gunn sullas]

 

Le ciúnas gan crá

[Leh kyunas gunn craw]

 

Ag dul siar ar m’aistir

[(Egg) dull sheer air mashteer]

 

Le solas mo chroí

[Leh sullas mo khree]

 

Fán agus tuirseach

[Fawn agus turshakh]

 

Go deirreadh mo shlí

[Go dyerra mo hlee]

 

Féach anois mé

[Faykh anish may]

 

Is m’aghaidh ar balla

[Iss myg air balla]

 

Ag seinm ceoil

[Egg shanim kyol]

 

Do phócaí folamh.

[Duh fokee follav]

I am Raferty the poet

 

 

Full of hope and love

 

 

Eyes without light

 

 

Calm without sorrow

 

 

Going west on my journey

 

 

With a light in my heart

 

 

Tired and weary

 

 

To the end of my way

 

 

Look at me now

 

 

It’s my face to the wall

 

 

Playing music

 

 

To empty pockets.