Livin' In America

When I was a kid, this was one of my favorite poems. Here it is, in the original Irish and with my translation. Bear in mind that my Irish is almost completely forgotten.

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An tEarrach Thiar

- le Máirtín O'Direáin

The Western Spring

- by Martin Dirrane

Fear ag glanadh cré
De ghímseán spáide
Sa gciúnas shéimh
I mbrothall lae
Binn an fhuaim
San Earrach thiar.

A man cleaning soil
From the tread of his spade
In a shady corner
In the warmth of the day
Sweet the sound
In the Western Spring

Fear ag caitheadh
Cliabh dha dhroim
Is an fheamainn dhearg
Ag lonrú
I dtaitneamh gréine
Ar dhuirling bháin.
Niamhrach an radharc
San Earrach thiar.

A man throwing
A basket on his back
And the red reaweed
Shining
In the warmth of the sun
On a white stoney beach
A radiant sight
In the Western Spring.

Mná i locháin
In íochtar diaidh-thrá,
A gcótaí craptha,
Scáilí thíos fúthu:
Támh-radharc síothach
San Earrach thiar.

Women in tidepools
On a beach at low tide
Their well-used clothes
Reflected beneath them
A quiet, peaceful sight
In the Western Spring.

Toll-bhuillí fanna
Ag maidí rámha
Currach lan d’éisc
Ag teacht chun cladaigh
Ar ór-mhuir mhall
I ndeireadh lae
San Earrach thiar.

Regular soft strokes
Of woodean oars
A curragh full of fish
Coming to the quay
On the gold-dappled sea
At the end of the day
In the Western Spring.

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In Ireland it mostly rains. So, when you get a day of perfect weather, especially in spring, it tends to stick with you.