Seal da rabhas im' mhaighdean shéimh,
'S anois im' bhaintreach chaite thréith,
Mo chéile ag treabhadh na dtonn go tréan
De bharr na gcnoc is i n-imigcéin.
'Sé mo laoch, mo Ghile Mear,
'Sé mo Chaesar, Ghile Mear,
Suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin
Ó chuaigh i gcéin mo Ghile Mear.
Bímse buan ar buaidhirt gach ló,
Ag caoi go cruaidh 's ag tuar na ndeór
Mar scaoileadh uaim an buachaill beó
'S ná ríomhtar tuairisc uaidh, mo bhrón.
Ní labhrann cuach go suairc ar nóin
Is níl guth gadhair i gcoillte cnó,
Ná maidin shamhraidh i gcleanntaibh ceoigh
Ó d'imthigh uaim an buachaill beó.
Marcach uasal uaibhreach óg,
Gas gan gruaim is suairce snódh,
Glac is luaimneach, luath i ngleo
Ag teascadh an tslua 's ag tuargain treon.
Seinntear stair ar chlairsigh cheoil
's líontair táinte cárt ar bord
Le hinntinn ard gan chaim, gan cheó
Chun saoghal is sláinte d' fhagháil dom leómhan.
Ghile mear 'sa seal faoi chumha,
's Eire go léir faoi chlócaibh dubha;
Suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin
Ó luaidh i gcéin mo Ghile Mear.

Traduction Anglaise

Once I was fair as a morn of May,
Now all I do is grieve and pray,
And scan the surging ocean waves
Since my gallant laddie went away.
Refrain:
'Sé mo laoch, mo Ghile Mear,
'Sé mo Chaesar, Ghile Mear,
Suan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin
Ó chuaigh in gcéin mo Ghile Mear.
Pain and sorrow are all I know,
My heart is sore, my tears a' flow
Since o'er the seas we saw him go
No news has come to ease our woe.
In chestnut trees no birdsong sounds,
The glens no more echo with coursing hounds,
Winter's gloom lasts all year 'round,
Since my laddie left for to seek his crown.
A proud and youthful chevalier, [cavalier?]
A highland lion of cheerful mien,
A slashing blade, a flashing shield,
Fighting foremost in the field.
Come, drain your cups as wild harps play
Let every Celt praise his noble name
As long as blood flows in your veins
Raise a toast for his health, wish him length of days.
Hero whose hopes have turned to smoke,
Erin all wrapped in mourning cloak,
I watch and wait, I dread my fate,
Since my gallant laddie went away.