Shivna
--Bill Whelan
A Bhennáin, a bhúireadáin, a bhéicedáin bhinn
Is binn linn in cúicherán do ní tú 'sin ghlinn
A dhraignéin, a dhelgnacháin, (dil, dol, doh, roh day)
A mhinéin na chonaire (dil, dol, doh, ray)
A dhriséoc, a dhruimnechóc (dil, dol, doh, roh day)
A chaillech, a chuirrechennach in raga for ech?
Is me Suibhne sirthechán; lúath reithim thar gleann;
Nochan é m'ainm dligthechán; mó is ainm dam Fer Benn
Translation:
Oh women, oh red-haired ones, oh melodious ones
We love the jig you do in the meadow there
Oh blackthorn, oh thornbush, (dil, dol, doh, roh day)
Oh smoothness of the pasture (dil, dol, doh, ray)
Oh bramble, oh back-breaker (dil, dol, doh, roh day)
Oh old woman, oh hornless one, why are you bothering the horses?
I am Suibhne the fleet-footed; I run quickly over the glen;
That is not my lawful name; my name is greater, I am the man Fer Benn.
Note:
(1) Shivna is the Anglicised spelling of Suibhne
(2) Fer Benn means "horned man" or "man of the peak". It is one aspect of The Dagda, the chief god of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
