Údar anaithnid Maidin moch do ghabhas amach, Ar bruach Locha Léin; An Samhradh teacht's an chraobh len'ais, Is ionrach te ón ngréin, Ar thaisteal dom trí bhailte poirt is bánta mine réidhe, Cé a gheobhainn le máis ach an chúileann deas, Le fáinne geal an lae.

translation by Seán Ó Casaide One morning early I went out On the shore of Lough Leinn The leafy trees of summertime, And the warm rays of the sun, As I wandered through the townlands, And the luscious grassy plains, Who should I meet but a beautiful maid, At the dawning of the day.

Ní raibh bróg ná stoca, caidhp ná clóc; Ar mo stóirin óg ón spier, Ach folt fionn órga sios go troigh, Ag fás go barr an théir. Bhí calán crúite aici ina glaic, 'S ar dhrúcht ba dheas a scéimh, Do rug barr gean ar Bhéineas deas, Le fáinne geal an lae.

No cap or cloak this maiden wore Her neck and feet were bare Down to the grass in ringlets fell Her glossy golden hair A milking pail was in her hand She was lovely, young and gay Her beauty excelled even Helen of Troy At the dawning of the day.

Do shuigh an bhrideog sios le m'ais, Ar bhrinse glas den fhéar, Ag magadh léi bhios dá maiomh go pras, Mar mhnaoi nach scarfainn léi. 'S é dúirt í liomsa, "imigh uaim, Is scaoil ar siúl mé a réic", Sin iad aneas na soilse ag teacht, Le fáinne geal an lae.

On a mossy bank I sat me down With the maiden by my side With gentle words I courted her And asked her to be my bride She turned and said, "Please go away," Then went on down the way And the morning light was shining bright At the dawning of the day.

Background music: dawning.mid by Barry Taylor
Forward to next page: The next page has a fighting rendition of the song.