Hi, I just recently moved to Ireland and would love to learn Irish! I am a musician and I have this song that I would like to have translated into Irish, ideally a literal translation wouldn't work for a song as I would like to keep some sense of rhyme and meter to it and at the same time not stray too much from the orginal words, although if that is not possible, I 'll be happy with whatever I get.

THE SOLDIER a.k.a. GO ON WITH THE FIGHT

Capo: Third Fret

Intro: (Dm)-(G6)-(Dm)-(G6)

(Dm)Dumdi(G)dididi(Dm)dididididi(C)um
(Dm)Dumdididi(G)dididi(Am)di
(Dm)Dumdi(G)dididi(Dm)dididididi(C)um
Didi(Dm)dididi(G)dididum(Dm)

The (Dm)soldier, he (Csus2)fell and he (Dm)lay in the (C)dirt.
(Dm)There he did (G)pray all a(Am)lone,
Till his (Dm)comrades came (Csus2)nearer and they (Dm)said,
"Lad, don't (C)fear, we've (Dm)come for to (G)carry you (Dm)home,"(G)-(C)

Chorus:
(Am)"Nay," said the soldier, "I (G)cannot go back.
For (Em)me it just wouldn't seem (Am)right. (G)-(C)
(Am)Stand me up, put me (G)sword in me hand,
And (Em)let me go on with the (Dm)fight."

So they (Dm)took him and (Csus2)bound him to the (Dm)tree by the (C)river
Where the (Dm)battle was (G)coming his (Am)way,
Then he (Dm)clutched at his (G)sword with his (Dm)last dying (C)breath
(Dm)These were the (G)words he did (Dm)say:

"For (Dm)God and my (G)faith (Dm)gladly I'll (C)live,
I'll (Dm)fight for the (G)truth after (Am)all.
'Tis (Dm)better to (G)die for a (Dm)cause that is (C)right
Than (Dm)live for no (G)reason at (Dm)all."
(G)-(C)

[Repeat chorus twice]
(Dm)-(G6)

Here is my email

Crossman, while I am not fluent enough to translate this, I was able to follow along the chords and play around with it on my guitar...I would ike to hear what the songs really sounds like because I really think it has potential.

I hope you don't mind I re-wrote it and took the chords out to make it easier for others to see the lyrics:

Maybe this will help them to translate it faster?

THE SOLDIER a.k.a. GO ON WITH THE FIGHT

Capo: Third Fret

Intro: (Dm)-(G6)-(Dm)-(G6)

Dumdi dididi dididididi um
Dumdididi dididi di
Dumdi dididi dididididi um
Didi dididi dididum

The soldier, he fell and he lay in the dirt.
There he did pray all alone.
Till his comrades came nearer and they said,
"Lad, don't fear, we've come for to carry you home,"

Chorus:

"Nay," said the soldier, "I cannot go back.
For me it just wouldn't seem right. Stand me up, put me sword in me hand, and let me go on with the fight."

So they took him and bound him to the tree by the river
Where the battle was coming his way, Then he clutched at his sword with his last dying breath. These were the words he did say:

"For God and my faith gladly I'll live,
I'll fight for the truth after all.
'Tis better to die for a cause that is right,
Than live for no reason at all."

(Message edited by do_chinniúint on March 20, 2007)

do_chinniúint,
good idea to remove the chords... It is a beautiful song, I am not the author of it was written about 25 years ago by an American musician, who was a friend of the family, I think he has passed away recently...
A friend of mine sings and plays it perfectly, I accompany him with a second guitar for rhythm and harmonize on it. Not sure how u'll be able to hear it as we haven't recorded it yet, although if u're ever near to Limerick, you could always come by for a visit and we'll be happy to play it for u. If u r interested write me at my email and I will give u my telephone number.

Actually for starters, how about we just get the Chorus and the last verse done in Irish as the whole song could be a bit of a big deal and also as this will be my first attempt in Irish it might be wiser to start off small.

Question: Do most folk in Ireland understand and speak Irish or is it more of a novelty?

TO BE TRANSLATED INTO IRISH

Chorus:
"Nay," said the soldier, "I cannot go back.
For me it just wouldn't seem right.
Stand me up, put me sword in me hand,
And let me go on with the fight."

"For God and my faith gladly I'll live,
I'll fight for the truth after all.
'Tis better to die for a cause that is right
Than live for no reason at all."

Crossman A Chara...

"Do most folks in Ireland understand and speak Irish or is it more of a novelty?"

There's a question that might cause a fight or two...LOL

Most people in Ireland have some understanding of the language. People in Ireland have many years of Irish at school, so even if they deny it, they probably have more Irish than they think they do or willing to admit to.

As for do they speak it?

Well, that's a little harder to answer. There are pockets in Ireland where it is spoken more than other places, but the majority Ireland does not at the moment.

But I wouldn't call it novelty just yet...I would say more of an academic trophy. If things stay as they are right now...and this is just my opinion here...I think Irish will always be a language that has enough speakers to keep it from going extinct, but never enough to allow it to be considered a major language. I think that the Irish language will always be something that a few groups will get into and keep it going...mainly academia, grass-root groups, and interested individuals like most of the people here.

In truth, I don't see it ever really becoming a serious community language again, at least not like the Welsh language has been able to maintain over the years...not unless things start changing in a different direction from how they are going now.

I know that doesn't sound very optimistic, but believe it or not...Irish is in a much better position than a large number of minority languages who will in my opinion not see century number 22.

Now that I have said all this, would I ever say it is not worth getting into or learning...absolutely not. Quite the opposite! All one has to do is listen to Irish and they will be entranced by it. And who knows with time anything is possible. I think we are starting to see a more positive attitude towards the language and if that continues, there is the potential for a serious revival.



(Message edited by do_chinniúint on March 20, 2007)

(Message edited by do_chinniúint on March 20, 2007)

You're in limerick and want to learn Irish...

I would say your best bet might be getting in contact with Gaeilgeoirí in the university...

The SU president St.John (pronounced Sinjin) is a Gaeilgeoir & Ceannaire in An Rinn Gaeltacht.

Their Cumann Gaelach society is top notch.

They have an irish language place in the uni too.. It's called Toghlann na Gaeilge or something like that!

Apart from that, if you get yourself learning post questions up here and i'm sure someone will be happy to help!
D

But I wouldn't call it novelty just yet...I would say more of an academic trophy

Academic trophy? Living in the NY/CT/NJ metropolitan area, I have the good fortune of meeting at least one or two people from Ireland just about every week. I have yet to find one Irish person, young or old, who doesn't have a decent command of the Irish language. Often, I notice that the person from Ireland will claim no proficiency in Irish, but the minute I start speaking to them in Irish, they completely comprehend what I'm saying and we then continue having a discussion in Irish.

Last Sunday, when this happened again, I asked the guy I was chatting with about this. I asked him if the Irish are pulling our leg when they say they don't understand Irish. He just smiled and continued speaking in Irish. He also complimented me on my ability to speak Irish and asked me where I learned. I told him that it was my classes at Daltaí and Daltaí's web forum. I have found that the Irish people are very proud of their native language, especially the young people.

The reason I call it an academic trophy is because it seems to only be thriving in the academic world these days when in theory, it has the means to be surviving in all aspects of modern day Ireland and abroad.

Crossman...

Have you had any replies for your song yet???

There is a site out there that is more translation oriented called Irish Gaelic Translator at:

http://www.irishgaelictranslator.com

You might have to become a member first, I have never used this site, so I can't really tell you much about it sorry. :0(

No, I haven't yet :-( Although I am still hopeful that someone might pick up the gauntlet and have a go at it.

Will look at the site u recommended.

I do agree with Do_chinniúint about the whole Irish deal that it is not fluently widely spoken, or maybe it is just here in Limerick... I made it a point yesterday to ask just about each individual whether they speak/use/understand/converse regularly in Irish, and over 70 percent said they hardly ever it use it, although do understand, the majority (I felt) where a bit affronted by my question and embarrassed to reply to it, almost like if they where not keen on having Irish as native to Ireland.

Mac_léinn, Interesting about the Irish expatriate community in the US being proficient in Irish, although I have found that most expatriates that you find anywhere are proud of their heritage and language, which is a good thing in my books.

Domhnall, thanks for that info I will check it out. BTW I love that quote, "A people without a language of its own is only half a nation.A nation should guard its language more than its territories, 'tis a surer barrier and a more important frontier than mountain or river.". Who is the author or do u have the honour of it being an original saying?

Crossman...I think you will find the help you are looking for at the other site.

Most of the people here are in that third group I mentioned, interested individuals. There is a wealth of knowledge here from the beginner to the native speakers. However, I have noticed that those here tend to stay clear of major translations.

Most of the people here are beginners, or not comfortable attempting any major translations for others because they fear they are going to get it wrong...or they will have to change it to a point that it no longer resembles the original. You have to remember, that Irish is one of those languagues that doesn't translate easily into English and the other way around. There are some big language differences that have to be overcome. It is easier just write a song in Irish or English, than it is to translate from one to the other.

However, this site is very good at attempting simple translations and they do so very often. (Tattoos, Wedding Sayings, Funeral Saying...ect)

Maybe take a little longer route and try the song line by line. That way it won't seem so scary to people???

I will start a new thread called "soldier's ballad". And lets see if we can get some fish to bite :0)

That is a good idea!

Ok folks here is the song translated, I would appreciate if you could read over it and see if it is correct or needs any changes.

THE SOLDIER aka GO WITH THE FIGHT aka SOLDIER'S BALLAD :-)

The soldier, he fell and he lay in the dirt.
There he did pray all alone,
Till his comrades came nearer and they said,
"Lad, don't fear, we've come for to carry you home

Thit an saighdiúir agus bhí sé ina luí san salachar.
D'fhan sé ansin ag guí ina aonar,
Go dtí gur tháinig a chomrádaí níos cóngaraí dó agus dúirt siad,
" A chara, ná bíodh eagla ort, táimid anseo chun thú a thabhairt abhaile."


Nay," said the soldier, "I cannot go back.
For me it just wouldn't seem right.
Stand me up, put me sword in me hand,
and let me go on with the fight."

"Ní hea," arsa an saighdiúir, "Ní féidir liom dul ar ais.
Samhlaítear dom nach mbeadh sé i gceart.
Cuir mé i mo sheasamh, is cuir claíomh im' láimh
agus fág an troid fúmsa."


So they took him and bound him to the tree by the river
Where the battle was coming his way,
Then he clutched at his sword with his last dying breath.
These were the words he did say:

Thóg siad é, is ceangail siad é le crann cois an abhann
San áit a raibh an troid ag teacht ina threo,
Le greim daingean ar a chlaíomh agus de ghlór an bháis
Seo iad na focail a dúirt sé:


"For God and my faith gladly I'll live,
I'll fight for the truth after all.
'Tis better to die for a cause that is right,
Than live for no reason at all."

Beidh mé beo go sásta ar son Dé agus ar son mo chreidimh,
Beidh mé ag troid ar son na fírinne, i ndáiríre
Tá sé níos fearr bás a fháil ar son cúise atá ceart,
Is a bheith beo gan cúis ar bith."

Scíobh Crossman: I made it a point yesterday to ask just about each individual whether they speak/use/understand/converse regularly in Irish, and over 70 percent said they hardly ever it use it, although do understand, the majority (I felt) where a bit affronted by my question and embarrassed to reply to it, almost like if they where not keen on having Irish as native to Ireland.

Crossman, maybe there are other reasons for their discomfort in your question. Maybe they just didn't feel like discussing the issue, maybe they felt they were being "put under the microscope." Maybe modesty comes into play, or some of them are pulling your leg. But your data I think confirms my general experience. That is, many people in Ireland and the Irish abroad understand Irish. And in regards to "hardly ever using it," perhaps that's similar to knowing how to swim. Most of us who know how to swim, regardless if we have any swimming trophies, don't swim on a daily or regular basis, but if the opportunity presented itself, say on a warm sunny day, we would have no problem jumping in and having a blast! That's what I have found with the Irish language, that once I start conversing with someone from Ireland as Gaeilge, they jump right in and they can very effectively communicate as Gaeilge.

BTW, many of the folks that I meet from Ireland are not expatriates. Often they're here in the States on business or holidays.

Is breá liom do dhán- maith thú!

you might have a point...