Cailleach an Airgid
Amhrán na Seachtaine – Song of the Week
“Cailleach an Airgid” or “‘Sí do Mhaimeo í”
This week’s Amhrán na Seachtaine is Cailleach an Airgid, also known as ‘S do Mhaimeo í. It’s a lively jig that tells the story of The Hag with the Money. The verses tell the story of a wealthy old lady who plans to marry a young man. The singer or onlooker sends a warning that the young man will squander her money, or “dólfadh sé’n t-airgead” -he’ll drink it. It seems she doesn’t mind as in the final verse we’re told there will be a wedding. There are many versions and recordings of this song out there.
Below are versions by Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola and another by Niamh Ní Charra. If you like them why not learn it? I’ve also included a breakdown of the song by Orla Ní Fhinneadha on Cúla 4 Ar Scoil, TG4 the Irish Language Television Station.
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Youtube Playlist with versions by various artists:
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Bain taitneamh as! – Enjoy!
Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola
Flame of Wine ℗ 2005 Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola
Niamh Ní Charra
Súgach Sámh / Happy Out ℗ 2010
Cailleach an Airgid
‘Sí do Mhaimeo í
Curfá:
‘Sí do mhamó í, ó ‘sí do mhamo í
‘Sí do mhamo í, cailleach an airgid
‘Sí do mhamo í, ó cheann Iorais Mhóir í
Chuirfeadh sí cóistí ar bhóithrí Cois Fharraige
Dhá bhfeicfeása an steam ghabháil siar Tóin Uí Fhloinn
‘S na rothaí ‘ag dul timpeall siar óna ceathrúnaí
Ó chaithfeadh sí ‘n stiúir naoi n-uaire’ ar a cúl
Ní choinneodh sí siúl le cailleach an airgid.
Curfá
‘Measann tú, ‘bpósfa’, ‘Measann tú ‘bpósfa’
‘Measann tú, ‘bpósfa’, Cailleach an airgid?
Tá’s a’m nach ‘bpósfa’, Tá’s a’m nach ‘bpósfa’
Mar tá sé ró-óg ‘Gus d’ólfadh sé’n t-airgead
Curfá
‘S gairid go ‘bpósfaidh, ‘S gairid go ‘bpósfaidh
‘S gairid go ‘bpósfaidh, Beirt ar an mbaile seo
‘S gairid go ‘bpósfaidh, ‘S gairid go ‘bpósfaidh
Séan Shéamais Mhóir agus Máire Ní Chathasaigh
Curfá
Chorus
She is your granny, she is your granny
She’s your granny, the hag with the money
She is your granny, from the town of Nishmore
And she would put coaches on the roads of Cois Farraige
If you’d see the steam going past Toin Ui Loin’
And the wheels turning speedily out from her flanks
She’d scatter the stoor nine times to the rear
But she’d never keep pace with the hag with the money
Chorus
Do you reckon he’d marry, Do you reckon he’d marry
Do you reckon he’d marry The hag with the money?
I know he’ll not marry, I know he’ll not marry
‘Cause he is too young and he’ll drink the money
Chorus
We’ll soon have a wedding, We’ll soon have a wedding
We’ll soon have a wedding, By two in the village
We’ll soon have a wedding, We’ll soon have a wedding
Between Séan Shéamais Mhóir and Máire Ní Chathasaigh
Chorus
Orla Ní Fhinneadha
Ceol – Cúla 4 Ar Scoil
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