Irish Poems.

Rosin Dubh

Roisin, have no sorrow for all that has happened to you
the Friars are out on the brine,
they are travelling the sea
your pardon from the Pope will come,
from Rome in the East
and we won't spare the Spanish wine
for my Roisin Dubh

Far have we journeyed together,
since days gone by.
I've crossed over mountains with her,
and sailed the sea
I have cleared the Erne,
though in spate, at a single leap
and like music of the strings all about me,
my Roisin Dubh

You have driven me mad, fickle girl
may it do you no good.
My soul is in thrall, not just yesterday nor today
You have left me weary and weak in body and in mind
O deceive not the one who loves you,
my Roisin Dubh

The Erne will be strong in flood, the hills be torn
the ocean will be all red waves, the sky all blood,
every mountain and bog in Ireland will shake
one day, before she shall perish,
my Roisin Dubh.

To the Virgin Mary.13th Century

Blue-eyed, gleaming, is your face,
with dark-ridged eyes over it
fair-branching, slender is your hand
I owe a poem that does not lie

Pure, wholesome, yellow hair,
a vine of curls around your head
round, thin-fingered, pure palm,
O firm- well-shaped foot

O curled, ridged yellow hair,
Mary of slender brows
give me no other judge
but the welcome of your heart

Let us feast to your shapely figure
-swift, mighty - side by side
Accept my best poems and songs
bright-languid, noble, decorous one

No woman but you in my home
its mistress may you be
False women and all the wealth I see
none of mine will pay them heed

Turn toward me your sole and palm
and your brown hair in beauty,
Your keen green young round eye
-may I fall in feast on your moist locks!

15th/ 16th century

No sickness worse than secret love
It's long, alas, since I pondered that
No more delay; I now confess
my secret love, so slight and slim

I gave a love that I can't conceal
to her hooded hair, her shy intent
her narrow brows, her blue-green eyes
her even teeth and aspect soft

I gave as well - and so declare-
my soul's love to her soft throat
her lovely voice, delicious lips
snowy bosom, pointed breast

And may not overlook, alas,
my cloud-hid love for her body bright
her trim straight foot, her slender sole,
her languid laugh, her timid hand

Allow there was never known before
such a love as mine for her
there lives not, never did, nor will,
one who more gravely stole my love

Do not torment me, lady
Let our purposes agree
You are my spouse on this Fair Plain
so let us embrace

15th/ 16th century,

Set that berry-coloured mouth
on mine, O skin like foam
Place that smooth and lime-white limb
-despite your quarrel- round me

Slim and delicate, be no longer
absent from my side
Slender, show me to your quilts!
Stretch our bodies side by side

As I have put away (soft thigh)
Ireland's women for your sake
likewise try to put away
all other men for me

I gave to your bright teeth
Immeasurable longing
So it is just that you should give
your love in the same measure.
AuthorUnknown.

The Irish Wedding Song

Here they stand hand in hand
they've exchanged wedding bands
Today is the day of their dreams and their plans,
and all we who love them just wanted to say.
May God bless this couple who married today
In good times and bad times in sickness and health
may they know that riches are not needed for wealth
and help them face problems they'll meet on their way
Oh god bless this couple who married today
May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind
May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time
May their children be happy each day
Oh God bless this family who started today
As they go may they know every love that was shown
And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow
Wherever they travel wherever they stay
May God bless this couple who married today