Hello!
I really like this song, and I have some questions about it. Here are its lyrics (taken from Celtic Lyrics Corner, please correct if there are any mistakes in them):

Is cosúil gur mheath tú nó gur thréig tú an greann
Tá an sneachta go freasach fá bhéal na mbeann'
Do chúl buí daite is do bhéilín sámh
Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh 's í 'ndiaidh an Éirne 'shnámh

A mháithrín mhilis duirt Máire Bhán
Fá bhruach an chladaigh 's fá bhéal na trá
Maighdean mhara mo mhaithrín ard
Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh 's í 'ndiaidh an Éirne 'shnámh

Tá mise tuirseach agus beidh go lá
Mo Mháire bhroinngheal 's mo Phádraig bán
Ar bharr na dtonna 's fá bhéal na trá
Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh 's í 'ndiaidh an Éirne 'shnámh

I've read about the song's backstory and seen several translations of it, but I'd like to refine some minor details.

1) Some translations mention the "yellow-speckled back", while others, "yellow flowing hair". Both make sense, since it's a song about a selkie woman, but which is correct?

2) What is bhroinngheal? I've seen it translated as "bright-breasted", "beloved", or simply "fair". But what does it mean exactly?

3) What does this line mean: Tá mise tuirseach agus beidh go lá ? I know its literal translation, but it doesn't really help in this case. Does it mean she will be tired forever?

Thank you in advance.

broinne = breast
geal = bright, clear, white



"I am tired and I will be (tired) until day", ie. "until the sun rises".


Is cosúil gur mheath tú nó gur thréig tú an greann
Tá an sneachta go freasach (> frAsach?) fá bhéal na mbeann'
Do chúl buí daite is do bhéilín sámh
Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh 's í 'ndiaidh an Éirne 'shnámh

A mháithrín mhilis (> dhílis, in some versions) dúirt Máire Bhán
Fá bhruach an chladaigh 's fá bhéal na trá
Maighdean (or: 'Mhaighdean) mhara mo mháithrín ard
Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh 's í 'ndiaidh an Éirne 'shnámh

Tá mise tuirseach agus beidh go lá
Mo Mháire bhroinngheal 's mo Phádraig bán
Ar bharr na dtonna (>dtonnta?) 's fá bhéal na trá
Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidh 's í 'ndiaidh an Éirne 'shnámh

_________________
Is fearr Gaeilg na Gaeltaċta ná Gaeilg ar biṫ eile
Agus is í Gaeilg Ġaoṫ Doḃair is binne

Just to add a little to Lughaidh's post:
- 'b(h)roinngheal' is in the dictionary - 'white-breasted'.
- 'go lá' - 'till day(break)/dawn'
- 'do chúl buí daite' - 'your yellow-speckled back'. 'Do chúl' - 'your back'; 'buí' - 'yellow' ('golden/tan/sallow' in some contexts); 'daite' - 'coloured/stained'

Thank you so much!