‘Cúilfhionn’ (coolun) is an Irish word, “Cuil-Fhionn” meaning “long flowing blonde hair” not to be confused with the word Colleen, Cailin which means “beautiful girl”. In some contexts it takes on the meaning of “the curls one” to indicate a lover – the lock of hair has always been a token between lovers – but originally it is only a particular hairstyle worn by the Irish in opposition to English fashion, so coolun is a man-boy with long hair. A fashion that was ancient if already in the statues of archaic Greece we can admire the flowing hair in curls of the warriors (see more).
[‘Cúilfhionn‘ (coolun) è una parola irlandese composta (Cuil-Fhionn) che si traduce “lunghi capelli fluenti” -con il significato di biondi – da non confondere con la parola Colleen, Cailin che significa “bella ragazza”. In alcuni contesti assume il significato di “il ricciolino” per indicare l’amore -la ciocca di capelli è da sempre un pegno tra innamorati- ma in origine è solo un’acconciatura particolare portata dagli irlandesi in opposizione alla moda inglese, quindi coolun è un uomo-ragazzo dai lunghi capelli. Una moda che era antica se già nelle statue della Grecia arcaica possiamo ammirare i fluenti capelli in boccoli dei guerrieri. vedi ]
Of the ancient “slow air” entitled “The Coolin” there were in the eighteenth century several transcriptions in English, as well as arrangements of the melody in the classical style . The oldest text (in Irish Gaelic) is attributed to the bard of Tyrone Maurice O’Dugan and is a love song addressed to a sweet blond creature with fairy beauty, but a lot of adaptations to the melody both in Gaelic and in English (or translations into verses) are common throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
[Dell’antica “slow air” dal titolo “The Coolin” ci furono nel Settecento parecchie trascrizioni in inglese, nonchè arrangiamenti in stile classico della melodia. Il testo più antico (in gaelico irlandese) è attribuito al bardo di Tyrone Maurice O’Dugan ed è un canto d’amore indirizzato a una soave creatura bionda dalla bellezza di fata, ma vari adattamenti alla melodia sia in gaelico che in inglese (o traduzioni in versi) sono comuni per tutto il settecento e ottocento.]
FAIRY BEAUTY
BELLEZZA DI FATA
Edward Bunting transcribed melody and text by harpist Denis Hempson in 1796, but the first verses in Gaelic date back to 1641 attributed to Maurice O’Dugan (Muiris Ua Duagain) bard of Tyrone, even if there are more or less imaginative speculations about hairstyles “ringlets” worn by young Irish men:
“The original song, told from a young maiden’s point of view, berates those Anglo-Irish who conformed to the edit by cutting their hair, and praises the proud Irishman who remained true to ancestral custom (the Gaelic title “An Chuilfhionn,” means ‘the fair-haired one’). The Irish Parliament passed another law in 1539 forbidding any male, Irish or Anglo-Irish, from wearing long or flowing locks of hair–this enactment, relates Flood, is the supposed impetus for the claim that Thomas Moore wrote the song and tune of “The Coolin,” which was printed by Walker in 1786.” (from Fiddler Companion)
Edward Bunting trascrisse melodia e testo dall’arpista Denis Hempson nel 1796, ma i primi versi in gaelico risalgono al 1641 e sono attribuiti a Maurice O’Dugan (Muiris Ua Duagain) bardo di Tyrone, non mancano però speculazioni più o meno fantasiose riguardo alle capigliature a “boccoli” portate un tempo dai giovani irlandesi: “La canzone originale, raccontata dal punto di vista di una giovane fanciulla, rimprovera gli anglo-irlandesi che si sono conformati tagliandosi i capelli, e loda l’orgoglioso irlandese rimasto fedele alle usanze ancestrali (il titolo gaelico “An Chuilfhionn” significa “ quello biondo »). Il Parlamento irlandese approvò un’altra legge nel 1539 che vietava a qualsiasi maschio, irlandese o anglo-irlandese di portare lunghi capelli o i capelli arricciati – questa promulgazione, riferisce Flood, è il presunto impulso per l’affermazione che Thomas Moore scrisse la canzone e la melodia di “The Coolin”, che è stata stampata da Walker nel 1786″ (tradotto da Fiddler Companion)
THE COOLIN: a fairy melody
Perhaps the most popular Irish “slow air”, originally a harp melody, performed today by almost all traditional Irish instruments. According to some scholars, the melody may date back to the mid-late thirteenth century, but the standard version is decidedly arranged in the baroque taste: we can consider the song a happy example of adaptation of a traditional folk melody in a classic key, a darkling “slow air” so beautiful that it is said to have been stolen from the elves and it is virtually a tipical irish wedding song !!!
[Probabilmente la più popolare “slow air” irlandese, in origine una melodia per arpa, eseguita oggi da quasi tutti gli strumenti della tradizione irlandese (in particolare il violino). Secondo alcuni studiosi il brano potrebbe risalire a metà-fine XIII secolo, ma la versione standard è decisamente arrangiata con il gusto barocco: possiamo considerare il brano un felice esempio di adattamento di una melodia tradizionale popolare in chiave classica, una “slow air” crepuscolare talmente bella che si dice sia stata rubata agli elfi ed è praticamente immancabile come wedding song!!!]
Jim McKillop & Zoe Conway
Liam O’Connor
Michael Flatley (Whispering Wind)
But if you prefer another instrument, there’s no need to worry.
[Ma se preferite un altro strumento non c’è che da scegliere!]
Seamus Tansey & John Blake irish flute (flauto irlandese)
Aine Minogue flute & harp
Matt Dean tin whistle
Leo Rowsome uilleann pipes (cornamusa irlandese)
Crimson Ensemble uilleann pipes
Clive Murray guitar (chitarra)
John Feeley guitar
Brendan Doc Savage mandolin
J.J. Sheridan piano
Kieran Cummins harp (arpa)
Star Edwards bardic harp (arpa con corde di metallo)
AN CHÚILFHIONN
(Irish gaelic version)
As we said at the beginning the oldest text with this melody is a love song addressed to a sweet blonde with fairy beauty.
Starting from the eighteenth century there are many transcriptions of a series of texts coming from many parts of Ireland, from Clare and Munster as evidence of the great popularity of the song.
[Come si diceva all’inizio il testo più antico abbinato alla melodia è un canto d’amore indirizzato a una soave creatura bionda dalla bellezza di fata.
Ma a partire dal Settecento si trovano le trascrizioni di una serie di testi provenienti da più parti d’Irlanda, vuoi dal Clare e dal Munster a testimonianza della grande popolarità del brano.]
Brendan Behan – live
in 90 Greatest Irish Rebel Songs
An bhfaca tú an chúilfhionn ‘s í ag siúl ar na bóithre
Maidin gheal drúchta, ní raibh smúit ar a bróga
Is iomadh ógánach súlghlas ag tnúth lena pósadh
Ach ní bhfaighidh siad mo rún-sa ar an gcúntar is dóigh leo.
II
An bhfaca tú mo bhábán lá breá is í ina haonar
A cúl dualach drisleánach go slinneán síos léi?
Mil ar an ógmhnaoi is rós breá ina héadan
Gur dóigh le gach spreasán gur leannán leis féin í.
III
An bhfaca tú mo spéirbhean ‘s í taobh leis an toinn
Fáinní óir ar a méara ‘s í ag réiteach a cinn?
‘Sé dúirt an Paorach a bhí ina mhaor ar an loing
Go mb’fhearr leis aige féin í ná Éire gan roinn.
| English translation I Have you seen the faired-haired girl walking down the road on a bright dewy morning, not a drop on her shoes (1)? Many’s the grey-eyed youth thinking to marry her, but they’ll not get my treasure for the bargain they have in mind II Did you see my baby on a fine day on her own, her twining tresses tumbling down to her shoulders? Sweet young woman of rosy countenance, whom every worthless youth imagines will be his sweetheart. III Did you see the goddess by the side of the sea, gold rings on her fingers, dressing her hair? Power, steward on the boat, said that he’d rather have her than the whole of Ireland. |
traduzione italiano Cattia Salto I Avete visto la mia ragazza dai lunghi capelli biondi, camminare per la strada in un mattino umido di rugiada, senza nemmeno una goccia sulle sue scarpe? Ci sono molti giovani invidiosi che vorrebbero sposarla, ma essi non prenderanno il mio tesoro, non importa quello che pensano. II Avete visto la mia bella in un bel giorno tutta sola, i suoi capelli arricciati in boccoli ricadenti sulle spalle? Amata giovinetta dal roseo colorito di cui ogni giovane indegno spera di essere l’amante! III Avete visto la dea in riva al mare, anelli d’oro alle dita che si acconcia i capelli? Power, che è il comandante della nave disse che avrebbe preferito lei piuttosto che l’intera Irlanda. |
The text published by Edward Bunting, however, is different (“Bunting’s Ancient Music of Ireland” Cork: Cork University Press, 1963, Donal O’Sullivan & Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, ed): it is an elegy to the beauty of the girl.
[Il testo pubblicato da Edward Bunting è però diverso (“Bunting’s Ancient Music of Ireland” Cork: Cork University Press, 1963, Donal O’Sullivan & Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, ed): è un elegia alla bellezza della fanciulla.]
Da bh[f]aicfeá-sa an chúilfionn,
Is í siúl ar na bóithribh
Dul bealach na cúl-choill’
‘S an drúcht lena brógaibh.
Mo bhrón ‘sí mó brún í,
Is níl [tnúth?] aici le óige
‘S go dtug sí barr múinte
Ar chúigibh na Fódla.
Is lonrach ‘s is péarlach
An mhaighdean chiúin tséimh í,
Is ró-dheise len fhéachaint
‘Na sceimh an ghréinéirí (?).
Samhail de Dheirdre
A méin is a breáthacht
Mar shoilse lae ag éirí
Nó réalta oíche Márta.
english translation If you were to see the fair lady, As she walked the roads Going by the way of the back woods And the dew on her shoes (1) Alas, she is my loved one And she pities not my youth (2) She excels the five provinces of Erin In high accomplishments. She is radiant and beautiful. This mild gentle maiden . It is a great loveliness to see In her beauty, the rising sun (3). She is an image of Venus In her disposition and splendour As the morning light arising Or as the stars on a March sky. |
traduzione italiano Cattia Salto Se vedeste la mia bella ragazza camminare per le strade proveniente dai boschi con la rugiada sulle scarpe. Ahimè è colei che amo e non ha pietà della mia gioventù. Ella eccelle nelle cinque province d’Irlanda per gli alti conseguimenti. E’ radiosa e bella questa fanciulla mite e gentile. E’ una grande bellezza da vedere nella sua beltà il sorgere del sole. E’ l’immagine di Venere nella sua indole e splendore, come il sorgere della luce mattutina o come le stelle in un cielo di Marzo. |
english translation by Thomas Furlong Had you seen my sweet Coulin at the days early dawn, When she moves through the Wildwood or wide dewy lawn? There is joy, there is bliss in her soul-cheering smile, She’s the fairest of flowers in our green bosomed isle. In Balanagar dwells the bright blooming maid, Retired, like the primrose that blows in the shade; Still dear to the eye that fair primrose may be, But dearer and sweeter is my Coulin to me. Oh, Dearest! thy love from thy childhood, was mine, Oh, Sweetest! this heart from life’s op’ning was thine And though coldness by kindred or friends may be shown, Still, still my sweet Coulin, that heart is thine own. Thou light of all beauty, be true still to me, Forsake not thy swain, love though poor he may be; For rich in affection, in constancy tried, We may look down on wealth in its pomp and its pride. FOODNOTE |
english translation by Samuel Ferguson (Sparling, Irish Minstrelsy, 1888) O had you see the Coolun, Walking down the cuckoo’s street, With the dew of the meadow shining On her milk-white twinkling feet! My love she is, and my coleen oge, And she dwells in Bal’nagar; And she bears the palm of beauty bright, From the fairest that in Erin are. In Bal’nagar is the Coolun Like the berry on the bough her cheek; Bright beauty dwells for ever On her fair neck and ringlets sleek; Oh, sweeter is her mouth’s soft music Than the lark or thrush at dawn, Or the blackbird in the greenwood singing Farewell to the setting sun. Rise up, my boy! make ready My horse, for I forth would ride, To follow the modest damsel, Where since our youth were we plighted, In faith, troth, and wedlock true – She is sweeter to me nine times over, Than organ or cuckoo! For, ever since my childhood I loved the fair and darling child; But our people came between us, And with lucre out pure love defiled; Ah, my woe is is, and my bitter pain, And I weep it night and day, That the coleen bawn of my early love, Is torn from my heart away. Sweetheart and faithful treasure, Be constant still and true; Now for want of hers and houses Leave one who would ne’er leave you, I’ll plege you the blessed Bible, Without and eke within, That the faithful God will provide for us, Without thanks to kith or kin. Oh, love, do you remember When we lay all night alone, Beneath the ash in the winter storm When the oak wood round did groan? No shelter then from the blast had we, The bitter blast or sleet, But your gown to wrap about our heads, And my coat around our feet. |
CUILIN
English version
Al O’Donnell in ‘Al O’Donnell’, 1972
I Oh say did you see her by the gloaming or the sunrise as she stepped like a fawn in Ballinagar(1) or sang far sweeter than the lark or thrush at eventide. II Red ripened her cheek is, Like the berry upon a tree and her neck more graceful than the swan is, her lips like petals from the red rose smile on me. III When she was a little girl, and I a tender child I loved her, But her parents’ money placed between us So farewell my cúilín deas mo chroí (2) Fair Flower of Ballinagar IV Wait for me forever, By the place where we lay alone, Through the night where the elfin storm winds whistle and the old ash tremble in the dark with fearful moan. V I will come to my cúilín Ere the life from my corpse shall wander and will hold as I did when in my childhood my little jewelled flower of Ballinagar. |
Traduzione italiano Cattia Salto I L’avete vista, al tramonto o all’alba, che incede come una cerbiatta a Ballinagar o canta più dolcemente dell’allodola o del merlo sul far della sera? II Rosso acceso sono le sue guance come le bacche sull’albero e il suo collo è più aggraziato di un cigno, le sue labbra come petali di rosa rossa mi sorridono. III Quando lei era una bimbetta e io un tenero bimbo l’amavo, ma il denaro della sua famiglia stava tra noi due/così addio mia ragazza dai lunghi capelli biondi,/il bel fiore di Ballinagar. IV Aspettami per sempre nel posto dove stavamo soli, nella notte dove la schiera elfica soffia il flauto e il vecchio frassino trema nel buio con lamento spaventoso. V Verrò dalla mia ragazza prima che la vita dal mio corpo se ne vada e stringerò, come facevo nella mia gioventù, il mio piccolo prezioso fiore di Ballinagar |
NOTE
1) Ballinagar = Ballynagore, Bellanagare in the county of Roscommon. but there are many towns with similar names in all Ireland [Ballinagar = Ballynagore, Bellanagare nella contea di Roscommon. ma ci sono molte cittadine dal nome simile sparse un po’ per le contee d’Irlanda]
2) cúilín deas mo chroí = sweet fair (haired) maiden of my heart
LINK
http://www.irishpage.com/songs/Coolin.htm
http://thesession.org/tunes/1815 http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/COO_CORI.htm#COOLUN/COOLN
http://www.cranfordpub.com/langan/Coolin.htm
http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=45138
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=58793
http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=20475#243322 http://www.joeheaney.org/default.asp?contentID=757
