Bhí subh milis ar bháscrann an doras
ach mhúch mé an corraí
ionaim a d'éirigh
mar smaoinigh mé ar an lá
a bheadh an bháscrann glan
agus an lámh beag - ar iarraidh
There was sweet Jam on the doorhandle,
but I suppressed the anger that rose up inside me,
for I thought about the day when the doorhandle would be clean,
and the little hand gone.
Translated by Rory.
The only Irish Language Poem I know off by Heart, it still makes me cry after 30 years.
This poem is so true.
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm confused. Is there a difference between Gaelic and Irish?
noooo there the same
DeleteMoonlite,
ReplyDeleteThere is no difference between Gaelic and Irish, for some reason, Irish people call the language 'Irish', foreigners call it 'Gaelic' in Irish (Gaelic) it is called 'Gaeilge'.
There is a Scottish Gaelic language as well which is like but not exactly the same as Irish.
Rory
i need urgent study note on WHAT the POEM actually MEANS ...............help.....help....me............................plz!!!
ReplyDeletewhat does it mean??????????
whats da theme of it??????
ReplyDeletesad...?
happy..?
lonely...?
angry....?
love....?
sport...?
................................?
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteAt first the poet is angry over the sticky doorknob, then his anger turns to love for his child and sorrow over the fact that his child will one day grow up and be gone.
Rory
Rory - I checked with Branigan, Flannigan, Milligan, Gilligan, Duffy, McGuffy, Milarkey, Malone, (gasp)
ReplyDeleteRafferty, Laugherty, Donnelly, Connelly, Dooley, O'Hooley, Malarkey, Malone...
Clanahan, Manahan, Fogarty, Hogarty, Kelly, O'Skelly, McGinnis, McGlinn, etc, etc
Didn't get any Strawberries, and...
Pat O'Brien didn't show up! But they all gave me the RASBERRIES for SilLy bLoGGiN'! -
Hi Lady Moonlight! - reb
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reb,
ReplyDeleteLOL, you should show your funny side more often,
Rory
Just wondering if there are any more verses to this poem or is it just that. It is lovely and my partner remembers learning it in school, he thought there was more to it. He remembers telling his mother (RIP) after she gave out to him about his muddy hands 'you'll be sorry when they are not there any more', she asked him what he meant and he showed her the poem, she loved it..
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteNo there are are no more verses to the poem, I think it's lovely, always stuck in my mind since I learnt in in school 30 years ago.
Rory
Rory, I just googled the first line of this poem and got here - so thank you!I often think about this poem when my kids are driving me nuts and I thought about printing it, framing it and putting it somewhere prominent. And for me it is also the only Irish poem I remember off by heart (since intercert 91).I live in Portugal and don't have much exposure to the Irish language anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful message being delivered in such a short little poem.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment. Even though I don't have children myself, I love this poem and often think of it when i am angry. It is so sweet.
Best wishes,
Rory
Hey,Thanks! :P
ReplyDeleteIm doing my Junior Cert,
ive got my irish,paper II mock tommorow
and im freaking out.
I needed this poem actually,
and the second link in google-was this!
So,you gained an extra follower aswell,so be happyyyyy !
JenN
ReplyDeleteGlad to able to help, good luck with the exams!
Rory
I'm doing my junior and was wondering is there any other themes besides angry love and sorrow
ReplyDeletethanks :)
That's about it really anger that turns to love and not really sorrow but a kind of regret that children grow up and leave home.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the Junior Cert.
Thanks a million Rory, by any chance does anyone know or know where I can find the translation of "Fear Lasta Lampai" by Mairtin O'Direain
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! :)
AS the poet's daughter, I'm astounded by the interest in and feeling of connection to this poem. It was dedicated to the poet's mother. Portugal: go ahead and do so. What a kick my father would have got from that confirmation. Partner of anonymous: YOU showed her. What a great exchange came from a reprimand.
ReplyDeleteE
An entire anthology of poems for children was published under the tile, Dánta do Pháistí.