DÓNAL ÓG - this song has many versions throughout the country. The truly beautiful and poignant words tell the tragic tale of a lost love. Dónal made and broke promises to a former lover, taking east, west, the moon, the heart and even God from her. It is one of the loveliest and most moving songs I have ever heard. In 2006 I heard a broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1. In it an old singer from Dublin was being interviewed. I do not remember his name. What I have not forgotten, however, was his belief that a song is never sung by the singer - it is the song itself that sings the singer. Listening to this great song being sung so wonderfully by Liadan makes me feel that not only does it sing the singer, it also sings the hearers - the magic's unique. (Scroll down for a translation) DÓNAL ÓG A Dhónaill óig, má théir thar farraige, Tabhair mé fhéin leat 's ná déan do dhearmad. Beidh agat férín lá aonaigh 's margaidh, Gus iníon rí Gréige mar chéile leapan agat. Gheall tú dhomsa ach rinne tú bréag liom, Go mbeithfeá romham ag cró na gcaorach. Lig mé fead ort is dhá chéad béiceach, Ach ní bhfuair mé aon fhreagra ach na huain ag méileach. Thug mé grá dhuit is mé beag bídeach, Chuir mé barr air is mé mór millteach. Niorbh é sin an grá a thug an t-uan don chaora, Ach grá buan daingean nach féidir a scaoileadh. Siúd é an Domhnach a dtug mé grá dhuit, An Domhnach díreach roimh Dhomhnach Cásca. Is tú ar do ghlúin ag léamh na Páise, 'Sea bhí mo dhá shúil a' síorthabhairt grá dhuit. Bhain tú
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