Dónal Óg

A song about an untrustworthy man called Donald (no, not that one).

If you are one of those people who says that the old songs are the best, well, this is almost certainly one of the oldest you're likely to hear, dating from the 8th century AD. The original was in Gaelic but there have been many translations into English including one by Lady Augusta Gregory. But this one  by Frank O'Connor is the one most often heard as a song today.

I've known the song for about forty years but it was this version by Cathy Jordan, with her band Dervish, that re-awakened my love of this old ballad when I attended one of their concerts a few months ago. It's a simple story of a young girl who is deserted by her lover, a story familiar enough in folk songs of these islands, though seldom told from the young woman's point of view and never so poetically and poignantly as here.

Dónal Óg

O Dónal Óg when you cross the ocean
Take me with you when you are going
At fair or market you'll be well looked after
And you shall sleep with the Greek king's daughter

My mother ordered me to shun you
Today tomorrow, and on Sunday
Too late, in vain o'er spilt milk grieving
Closing the door on a bygone thieving

If you come at all, come when stars are peeping
Rap on the door that makes no squeaking
My mother will ask you to name your people
And all I'll say t’was the night wind weeping

The first kiss came and from no craven

The second kiss came on top the stairway
The third kiss came as down you lay me
But for that one night, I’d be still a maiden

O Dónal Óg you’ll not find me lazy.
Not like some high-born expensive lady
I’ll do you’re milking, and I’ll nurse your baby
And if you're beset on I’ll defend you bravely

You said you’d meet me, but you were lying
Beside the sheep shed as the day was dying
I whistled and called you, twelve times repeating
But all I heard was the young lambs bleating

You took what's before me and what's behind me
Took east and west when you wouldn't mind me
Sun, moon and stars you have taken

And God Himself if I'm not mistaken.

If you're as in love with the song as I am you might like to hear a stripped back version by Cathy on her own

Take care.