Ulliac Burca - Sir Ulick Burke

Burke family Crest
Burke Family Crest

Carolan was a close friend of Sir Ulick Burke. Ulick espoused the cause of King James II, was a representative for Galway in the Irish Parliament of 1689, and was included in the articles of Limerick. He married Ismay, fourth daughter of Colonel John Kelly of Skreen Co. Roscommon. He died without issue in 1708. Carolan completed this song on his way to Glinsk, while on a muddy mountainside where he had nothing but water to drink. Sir Ulick lived in Glinsk. On the way Carolan was grateful to stay overnight in a miserable cabin and where they were made welcome to the humble fare the householder could afford. ...O'Sullivan p 228, 2001 1 vol. edition.

1. Dá mbeinn-se thiar i nGlinnsgi
Bu cinnte dhomh ar mearadh misge;
'Nois ó mé 'g ól an uisge,
Céad slán umradh do Sir Uilliac.

2. 'Sé do leigfeadh fead go binn dúinn,
Ghoireadh ar bheóir 's ar lionn dúinn,
Mur rabhaid beó ach seachtmhain eile
Beidh an daice ríst ag ól.

3. In measa lion ná éag an eallaigh
Teacht an earraigh i gcluinneachán,
Gan a bheith an uair-se thiar id theach-sa
Ag éisteach le spóirt.

 4. Is fearr a'chiall do thriall dá thathaigh
Nó bheith ar shliabh i lár na laithe,
Ó bó! a dhaoine maithe,
'Si sin a' mhairseal chóir.

5. Mar a mbíom-sa seal a' rantaracht,
Is tamall eile a' cantaireacht,
Réabadh réad 's a' cathamh tobac
'S ag ól na gcupán leó.

6. A Liam Uí Cheallaigh, déana tapadh
Is líon dúinn flaigin beórach,
Go n-ólam sláinte mhná Sir Uillioc,
Is fearrde sin a ól.

Song Notations

Notations are courtesy of Carolan, the Life and Times of an Irish Harper by Dónal O'Sullivan vol. 1 Celtic Music Edition 1983.

Confer also Number 206 for the conclusion of the story.
For phonetics consult the pocket dictionary Fóclóir Póca
Replay background music: Ullick Burke
Courtesy of Vivian and Jack Hennessey, IrishPage.com, 2006.

Filleadh go liosta
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