AN BUINNEAN BUI (The Yellow Bittern) by The Long Kesh Ramblers

We often think of these really old Irish songs as having been written about events of great importance. However, one of the most beautiful of Irish songs was written by Cathal Bui MacGiollaGunna about his finding of a Yellow Bittern dead of thirst by the side of a frozen pond. He lamented the death of the Bittern, and in the process used it as a rationalisation for his own return to drinking, lest he as well should die of thirst. Pathos and humour mixed. Cathal Bui MacGiollaGunna (Yellow Charles McGilligan) lived from 1680 to 1756. He was an itinerant poet and harper from south Ulster. This translation was made by Thomas MacDonagh, one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. He was executed by firing squad in Kilmainham Gaol in April 1916.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• AN
• BUINNEAN
• BUI
• The
• Yellow
• Bittern

[n12961]

Lovely George .

[eyeries1]

@n12961 Glad ye like "N". A lovely, complex melody I would say it is nearly impossible to sing. I would give yer man hear a rating of 90 out of 100. Were I to try I I would give myself a 0 out of 100! I think the best singer of this song in recent years was a lad called Al O'Donnell. His son Ronan is a great Irish Historian, and teaches at Uni in Limerick, I think. Great song for bird fanciers and drinkers, don't you think!?