The Irish-Palestinian artist Róisín El Cherif appeared on the Tommy Tiernan show as the musical guest this weekend to perform her new song.
‘Siuil a Ruin’ is a a traditional Irish ballad sung in Irish, English and Arabic, and was released on Friday to raise awareness and funds for Gaza.
The Arabic verses were written by El Cherif.
“What links these two cultures for me is grief and perseverance. I find great solace in the traditional music of both lands and it felt easy for me to blend and combine them.
All proceeds from the release will be donated to Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)’s Gaza Emergency Regional Fund. Donate here.
The song was recorded in collaboration with folk musicians Fergal Scahill and Ruth Smith, with composer and producer Brian Crosby at his Treehouse Studios in Co. Wicklow.
Song Lyrics
I wish I was on yonder hill
‘Tis there I’d sit and cry my fill
Until every tear would turn a mill
Is go dté tu, mo mhuirnín slán (translation: And may you go safely, my darling)
Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
Siúil go socar agus siúil go ciúin
Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom
Is go dté tu, mo mhuirnín slán
I’ll sell my rock, I’ll sell my reel
I’ll sell my only spinning wheel
To buy my love a sword of steel
Is go dté tu, mo mhuirnín slán
Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
Siúil go socar agus siúil go ciúin
Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom
Is go dté tu, mo mhuirnín slán
ARABIC:
If I could be in my homeland
I’d live with love in my country
River of Blood, No don’t weep
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan.
If I could be in any place
You’d find me in the Land of Peace
Martyr, my love, the soul and the pain
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan.
