Dá mbeinnse i mbliana mar bhí mé anuraidh
Toigh beag ‘bheith agam i gcois an chuain
Chuirfinn mo bhád amach ar a’ tSionainn
Agus bhéarfainn abhaile liom mo chailín rua.

Curfá:
Thug mé liom í ó bhaile go baile
Fríd Bhaile ‘Cliath ‘un na geaftaí crua
Chan fhuil aon mhíle ó d’fhág mé an baile
Nach dtug mé deoch leanna do mo chailín rua.

Bhí ceann gruaige léi síos go talamh
‘Gus barra na finne go dtug sí léi
Ba mhéanar don fhear óg a gheobhadh í le mealladh
Rogha na gcailíní mo chailín rua.

Curfá

Dá mbeinn chomh saibhir is a bhí mé anuraidh
Thógainn toigh mór ar an chnoc údaí thall
Fíon agus ór ‘siad a bhéarfainn do mo stór
Is bheinn a’ gabháil ceoil le mo chailín rua.

Curfá

-oOo-

If I were this year as I was last year
To have a small house by the bay
I’d sail my boat out on the Shannon
And I’d bring home my red-haired girl.

Refrain:
I brought her with me from town to town
Through Dublin city to the strong gates
There’s not a mile since I left home
That I haven’t given a drink to my red-haired girl.

She had hair down to the ground
She has won pride among all
Lucky the man who would entice her
The choice among girls is my red-haired girl.

Refrain

If I were as wealthy as I was last year
I’d build a big house on yonder hill
Wine and gold I’d give to my stór
And I’d be making music with my red-haired girl.

Refrain