An Bhanaltra [The Nursemaid] (Scottish Folk Song)
(Click on title to play tune)
An Bhanaltra [The Nursemaid] (Scottish Folk Song)

Is deas a’ fear i mbaile me
Nil duil agam i mi-ghreann
Is deas a’ fear i mbaile me
Nil duil agam i sior-chainnt
Nuair a theid fir a’ bhaile ’mach
A dh’amharc fa n-a ndiobhail
Pillim-s’ ar an bhanaltra
’Gus bogaim daoith’ an cliaghan

’S a mhile mh’anam ar maidin thu
’S aris ag teacht na h-oiche
Nil uair den la ’a bhfeicim thu
Nach ort a bim ag smuainteamh
Mil’ uair go mb’fhearr liom agam thu
Na ba na Mumhan ’gus bainne acu
O is a Dhia, nach trua mo scaruint leat
’S gur ionnat ata mo chroi stigh

Ni theachaidh siol i dtalamh riamh
Comh maith leis an mhin eorna
Nithear uisce beatha do
’Gus ceanglann se ’n gra posta
Ta cuid a theid ’un peacaigh leis
’Gus cuid a theid ’un carthannais
Agus bheir se ar na cailleachai
Bheith i meidhir insa chludaigh

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When I’m at home I am a nice man
For rumour-mongers I don’t much care
When I’m at home I am a nice man
And gossip too’s not my affair
When all the local lads go sporting
Devilment is in the air
Then I go back to my old nursemaid
And I rock the cradle for her

You’re my dearest in the morning
Then again at night you’re dear
And at times you’re out of seeing
For you I’m waiting to appear
A thousand times I wish I had you
Than all the milk of a Munster cow
O God, what pity we are parting
When I’m so set upon you now

No seed that e’er was sown on farmland
Is half as good as barley grains
And whisky that is made from barley
Binds the bliss of marriage bands
It makes some people turn to sinning
Others better every day
It even makes the old hags alter
In the corner full of play

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Words and tune from Folk Songs of Britain and Ireland, edited by Peter Kennedy. Sequenced by Tom Connole.
anbhanaltra.htm 2/10/07