Seal go rabhas im' mhaighdean shéimh For a while I was a gentle maiden Anois im bhaintreach chaite thréith And now a spent worn-out widow Mo chéile a' treabhadh na dtonn go tréan My spouse ploughing the waves strongly De bharr na gcnoc 's in imigéin Over the hills and far away
Curfá: Chorus: 'Sé mo laoch mo ghile mear He is my hero, my dashing darling 'Sé mo Shaesar gile mear He is my Caesar, dashing darling Suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin I've had no rest from forebodings Ó luadh i gcéin mo ghile mear Since he went far away, my darling
Ní labhrann cuach go suairc ar nóin The cuckoo sings not pleasantly at noon Is níl guth gadhair i gcoillte cnó And the sound of hounds is not heard in nut-filled woods Ná maidin shamhraidh i gcleanntaibh ceoigh Nor summer morning in misty glen Ó d'imthigh uaim an buachaill beó Since he went away from me, my lively boy
(Curfá) (Chorus)
Marcach uasal uaibhreach óg Noble, proud young horseman Gas gan gruaim is suairce snódh Warrior unsaddened, of most pleasant countenace Glac is luaimneach, luath i ngleo A swift-moving hand, quick in a fight Ag teascadh an tslua 's ag tuargain treon Slaying the enemy and smiting the strong
(Curfá) (Chorus)
Seinntear stair ar chlairsigh cheoil Let a strain be played on musical harps 'S líontair táinte cárt ar bord And let many quarts be filled Le hinntinn ard gan chaim, gan cheó With high spirit without fault or mist Chun saoghal is sláinte d' fhagháil dom leómhan For life and health to toast my lion
Ghile mear 'sa seal faoi chumha Dashing darling for a while under sorrow 'S Eire go léir faoi chlócaibh dubha And all Ireland under black cloaks Suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin Rest or pleasure I did not get Ó luaidh i gcéin mo ghile mear Since he went far away, my dashing darling