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Cúnla

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Cúnla" [ˈkuːn̪ˠ.l̪ˠə] is an Irish folk song, originally composed in the Irish language.

History

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Cúnla is a sean-nós children's[citation needed] song believed to have been composed sometime in the 14th century[citation needed]. The song is still well known and widely sung in Ireland and recordings have been published by many artists including Joe Heaney on the album The Road from Connemara,[1] The Dubliners, John Spillane, The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Gaelic Storm, Planxty and The Scratch. An original musical setting of a version of the text by composer Michael McGlynn entitled "Cúnnla" has been recorded by Anúna.

Irish Version and translation

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Véarsa a haon
Cé hé siúd thíos 'tá ag leagadh na gclaíochaí? x 3
(Who is that down there knocking down the (stone) walls?)
"Mise mé féin" a deir Cúnnla.
("Me, myself" says Cúnla.)
Curfá
A Chúnla a chroí ná tar níos goire dhom! x 3
(Cúnnla dear don't come any nearer to me!)
Go deimhin muise tiocfaidh! a deir Cúnla.
("Surely I will!" says Cúnla.)
Véarsa a dó
Cé hé siúd thíos 'tá ag buaileadh na fuinneoige? x 3
(Who is that down there knocking the window?)
"Mise mé féin" a deir Cúnla.
("Me, myself" says Cúnla.)
Véarsa a trí
Cé hé siúd thíos 'tá ag fadú na tine dhom? x 3
(Who is that down there fanning the fire for me?)
"Mise mé féin" a deir Cúnla.
("Me, myself" says Cúnla.)
Véarsa a ceathar
Cé hé siúd thíos 'tá a' cur uisce sa gciteal dhom? x 3
(Who is that down there putting water into the kettle for me?)
"Mise mé féin" a deir Cúnnla.
("Me, myself" says Cúnla.)
Véarsa a cúig
Cé hé siúd thíos 'tá ag tarraingt na pluide dhíom? x 3
(Who is that down there pulling the blanket off me?)
"Mise mé féin" a deir Cúnnla.
("Me, myself" says Cúnla.)
Véarsa a sé
Cé hé siúd thíos 'tá ag tochas mo bhonnachaí? x 3
(Who is that down there tickling the soles of my feet?)
"Mise mé féin" a deir Cúnla.
("Me, myself" says Cúnla.)
[2][3]

English Versions

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There are various English versions translated from the Irish language. Here are two commonly-sung versions:

Version #1

As recorded by Planxty on the album 'The Well Below the Valley'[4]
And who is that there knocking the window pane? x 3
'Only me' says Cúnnla
'Chorus'
Cúnla Dear, Don't Come Any Nearer Me x 3
Maybe I Shouldn't, Says Cúnla
And who is that there tickling the toes of me? x 3
'Only me' says Cúnnla
And who is that there tickling the thighs of me? x 3
'Only me' says Cúnnla

See also

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References

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  1. ^ http://irishkc.com/index.php/sean-nos-milwaukee-festival.htm sean-nos Milwaukee Festival. Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
  2. ^ http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm "Cunla". Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
  3. ^ http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm "Cunnla". Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
  4. ^ spotify:track:1NiFAfPjJukUceg0etgxGC