This is a wedding song from Rathlin Island, off the coast of Co. Antrim, the first two verses of which survived the death of the language on the Island to be published in Mary Campbell's 'Rathlin Stories" (1936).  Proinsias Ó Maonaigh, the father of Altan's Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, composed the last two verses.  The Irish spoken on Rathlin Island is said to have been a combination of Antrim and Scottish Gaelic... Áine Cooke
Rathlin Island has spectacular cliff top walkways, caves and ample wild nature to view. It is said that Robert the Bruce sought refuge here in 1306 after his defeat by the English at Perth in Scotland... anon

Rest mouse on shamrocks to see phonetics

Bhí móran daoine uasal ann.
Bhí tuatanaigh na h-Alban ann.
Bhí ‘n máistir scoile is an ministir ann.
Bhí an laoch Mac Amhlaigh ann.

Curfá:
Dónal, ‘sé Dónal, ‘sé Dónal a rinne an bhainis.
Dónal agus Mórag a rinne an bhainis ainmeall.

Bhí cearcan ann, ‘s bhí géanna ann.
Bhí corr is doisín sgairbh ann.
Seo bha iad is bhí car a’ bí ann.
‘Sé cearc na n-éan a b’fhearr dhuibh ann.

Curfá

There were many noble people,
There were ordinary folk from Scotland,
The school master and the minister,
The warrior McAuley was there.

Chorus:
Donal, Donal, 'twas Donal who made the wedding.
'twas Donal and Morag made the wedding famous.

There were hens and geese there,
There were more than a dozen sea birds,
There all of it was, and the favorite food there
Was the hens of the birds that they preferred.

Chorus

There were salmon and trout from the Erne,
And an abundance of game and wild birds.
The prime beef and veal were the tastiest.
There was roast lamb and venison there.

Chorus

The drinks were generous and plentiful,
There was Spanish brandy and wine.
There was homemade poteen and honey mead.
There was beer and ale from Ireland there.

Chorus