Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair

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"Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair", is a Gaelic song written by Irish musician Proinsias Ó Maonaigh, (father of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan) about his hometown of Gweedore in County Donegal. It translates as the green glens of Gweedore. The song is one of the well-known Gaelic songs in Ireland and it can be heard in many Irish pubs around the world.

Altan's version of the song appears on their album Runaway Sunday. Irish singer Paul Brady has recorded the song on numerous occasions.

[edit] Lyrics

Céad slán ag sléibhte maorga chondae Dhún na nGall

Agus dhá chéad slán ag an Earagal árd, ina stua(í) os cionn caor 's call

Nuair a ghluais mise thart le loch Dhún Lúich, go ciún sa ghleann ina luí

I mo dhiaidh bhí Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair,

is beag nár bhris mo chroí

Ag taisteal dom amach tríd chnoic Ghleann Domhain, 's an Mhucais ar mo chúl

Ní miste domh 'rá le brón 's le crá, ghur fhreasach a shíl mise súil

Go 'Meiriceá siar, a bhí mo thriall, i bhfad thar an fharraige mhór

D'fhag mé slán ar feadh seal ag Dún na nGall,

's ag Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair

Níorbh é mo mhiansa imeacht ariamh ó mo thír bheag dhílis féin

Ach trom lámh Gall, le cluain 's le feall, a thiomáin mé i gnéill

B'é rún mo chroíse pilleadh arís, nuair a dhéanfainn beagán stór

'S deireadh mo shaoil a chaitheamh lem ghaoil,

fá Ghleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair

Slán, slán go fóill a Dhún na nGall, a chondae shéimh gan smál

'S do d'fheara bréa in am an ghá, nár umhlaigh riamh ( ) Ghall

Tá áit i mo chroí do gach fear a gach mnaoi, 's gach páiste beag agus mór

Áta beo go buan, gan bhuairt gan ghruaim,

fá Ghleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair

[edit] English translation

The Green Glens of Gaoth Dobhair

Farewell to the noble mountains of Donegal

And twice farewell to tall Errigal, arching over rowen and ash tree

When I passed by Dunlewey lake, lying quietly in the glen

Behind me were the green glens of Gaoth Dobhair, and it nearly broke my heart

Travelling through Glendowan's Hills, and Muckish behind me

I don't mind saying with sorrow and grief, that tears fell from my eyes

Westward to America was my journey, far across the wide sea

I said farewell for a while to Donegal, and the green glens of Gaoth Dobhair

I never wanted to leave my own beloved land

But the foreigner's heavy handed deceit and treachery drove me away

It would be my heart's desire to return again, when I should get a little money

To spend the end of my life with my family, 'round the green glens of Gaoth Dobhair

Yet farewell, farewell to Donegal County fine and fair

And to your brave men who in time of need, did not ever cower before the foreigner

There's a place in my heart for each man and woman, each child big and small

Who live in peace, without sorrow or grief, in the green glens of Gaoth Dobhair