Anois teacht an Earraigh

Spring is now coming(according to the weatherman Spring starts officially March 1st)Nearly everyone I know is able to quote at least a line or two from this poem by the famous poet, Antaine Ó Raifteirí (1784-1835). I believe it’s considered his greatest poem – it’s certainly the one most quickly recognised, even if just as I said for a line or two..

Anois teacht an earraigh, beidh ‘n lá dul chun síneadh

‘S tar éis na Féil’ Bríde, ardóidh mé mo sheol,

Ó chuir mé ‘mo cheann é ní stopfaidh mé choíche

Go seasfaidh mé síos i lár Chontae Mhaigh Eo.

I gClár Chlainne Mhuiris bheas mé an chéad oíche,

‘S i mBalla taobh thíos de thosós mé ag ól,

Go Coillte Mach rachad go ndéanfad cuairt mhíos’ ann

I bhfogas dhá míle do Bhéal an Áth’ Móir

 

Fágaim le huacht é go n-éiríonn mo chroíse

Mar éiríonn an ghaoth nó mar scaipeann an ceo,

Nuair ‘smaoíním ar Cheara nó ar Ghailleang taobh thíos de,

Ar Sceathach a Mhíl’ nó ar phlánaí Mhaigh Eo.

Cill Aodáin an baile a bhfásann gach ní ann,

Tá sméara ‘s sú craobh ann, is meas ar gach sórt,

‘S dá mbeinn-se ‘mo sheasamh i gceartlár mo dhaoine

D’imeodh an aois díom is bheinn arís óg.

I also remember the short poem about Raifteirí himself …. but just the first verse. Praise to the days of learning things by heart!!!!

Mise Raifteirí, an file,
lán dóchais is grá
le súile gan solas,
ciúineas gan crá