“An Saighdiuir Treigthe (The Forsaken Soldier)”

Description

Gaelic. Singer wakes and throws away his uniform. He hears gossip about his sweetheart and cuts off his finger. He will die before Easter but would return from the dead if she calls him. He curses his father for driving him to drink and the army.

Notes

Tunney-StoneFiddle includes both the Gaelic and Paddy Tunney's English translation. However, I used Bell/O Conchubhair for most of the description because it seemed a better match for what little Gaelic I could follow. Tunney has one additional verse. - BS

References

  1. Tunney-StoneFiddle, pp. 168-169, "An Saighdiuir Treigthe" (1 text)
  2. ADDITIONAL: Bell/O Conchubhair, Traditional Songs of the North of Ireland, pp. 115-116, "An Saighdiur Treigthe" ("The Deserted Soldier") [Gaelic and English]
  3. BI, TSF168

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1979 (Tunney-StoneFiddle)
Found in: Ireland