Irish Translation Forum

Hello, all

I'm a traditional musician who recently heard a song called "Dulaman," and I love it. The internet says that Altan performed it, but I think Clannad did as well. I decided to learn it, and downloaded some lyrics. It's supposed to be about two seaweed collectors, and I think they're arguing about an arranged marriage, but I would like to know for sure. Besides, the song will be easier to learn if I know what each word means.

Could somebody please translate it for me? Here it goes:


A'nion mhin o, sin anall na fir shuiri,
A mhaithair mhin o! cuir na roithlean go dti me.
Dulaman na Binne Bui, Dulaman Gaelach
Dulaman na farraige, s e bfhearr a bhi in Eirinn
Ta cosa dubha dubailte ar an dulaman gaelach
Ta dha chluais mhaol ar an dulaman gaelach
(chorus)
Rachaimid go Doire leis an dulaman gaelach,
Is ceannoimid broga daora ar an dulaman gaelach
(chorus)
Broga breaca dubha ar an dulaman gaelach
Ta bearead agus trius ar an dulaman gaelach
(chorus)
O chuir me sceala chuici, go gceannoinn cior di,
'Se an sceal a chuir si chugam, go raibh a ceann ciortha.
(chorus)
O cha bhfaigheann tu mo 'nion, arsa an dulaman gaelach,
Bheul, fuadoidh me liom i, arsa an dulaman maorach.
(chorus)

I know the chorus is

Seaweed from the yellow cliffs
Irish seaweed, seaweed from the ocean
The best in all of Ireland

Or something to that effect.

Here it is.....


A 'níon mhín ó, sin anall na fir shúirí Oh gentle daughter, here come the wooing men
A mháithair mhín ó, cuir na roithléan go dtí mé Oh gentle mother, put the wheels in motion for me

Chorus (after each verse):
Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach Seaweed from the yellow cliff, Irish seaweed
Dúlamán na farraige, 's é b'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn Seaweed from the ocean, the best in all of Ireland

Tá cosa dubha dubailte ar an dúlamán gaelach There is ___ on the Irish seaweed
Tá dhá chluais mhaol ar an dúlamán gaelach There are two blunt ears on the Irish seaweed

Rachaimid go Doire leis an dúlamán gaelach I would go to Dore with the Irish seaweed
Is ceannóimid bróga daora ar an dúlamán gaelach "I would buy expensive shoes," said the Irish seaweed

Bróga breaca dubha ar an dúlamán gaelach The Irish seaweed has beautiful black shoes
Tá bearéad agus triús ar an dúlamán gaelach The Irish seaweed has a beret and trousers

Ó chuir mé scéala chuici, go gceannóinn cíor dí I spent time telling her the story that I would buy a comb for her
'S é'n scéal a chuir sí chugam, go raibh a ceann cíortha The story she told back to me, that she is well-groomed

Góide a thug na tíre thú? arsa an dúlamán gaelach "What are you doing here?" says the Irish seaweed
Ag súirí le do níon, arsa an dúlamán maorach "At courting with your daughter," says the stately seaweed

Ó cha bhfaigheann tú mo 'níon, arsa an dúlamán gaelach "Oh where are you taking my daughter?" says the Irish seaweed
Bheul, fuadóidh mé liom í, arsa an dúlamán maorach "Well, I'd take her with me," says the stately seaweed

the band Altan recorded the tune with english lyrics.

mcgiggle wrote:the band Altan recorded the tune with english lyrics.

That's where I found it. I have it home, but I couldn't remember the lyrics.

Courted by a seaweed?

This isn't one of those weird Irish endearments, like a lao, is it?

Try these links -

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=13333#127220

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=10472#72942

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=4442#24648

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.CFM?threadID=13333

Abigeál wrote:Courted by a seaweed?

This isn't one of those weird Irish endearments, like a lao, is it?

They're seaweed dealers who are doing the courting.

Redwolf

Thank you so much for the help, ladies and gentlemen. It has been most informative.

It may be a different version...

Dear dter, here come the courtin' men
Dear mother, oh bring me my spinning wheel

chorus:
seaweed from the yellow cliff, Irish seaweed
Seaweed from the ocean the best in all of Ireland

we'll go to Derry with the Irish seaweed
and well buy expensive shoes on the irish seaweed

chorus

o, I told her the news, that a comb would be brought for her
that's the story she told me, that it was a fine one

chorus

What did you bring from the land? said the irish seaweed
courting with you daughter said the upstart seaweed

chorus

o, you're not taking my daughter said the irish seaweed
well, i'll take her away with me said the upstart seaweed.

chorus twice..


I love this song. It's one of my favorites. The English version does not fit the rhythym of the Gaelic on. Trust me, i've tried. By the way, is anyone understands this song (courting seaweed????) feel free to enlighten me.

Abigail