Trasna Na dTonnta (Over the Waves) / Westering Home

Traditional

This lovely song was sent to me by my friend Professor Jim Flanagan who is also a singer and song collector of note. It seems to have originated in the Gaoth Dobhair region of County Donegal. It is sung to the same tune as the Scottish song 'Westering Home', a verse of which is also included. However the translation is not the same.

Chorus:
Trasna na dtonnta, dul siar, dul siar
Slán leis an uaigneas 'gus slán leis an gcian
Geal í mo chroí 'gus geal í an grian
Is geal bheith ag file go Éirinn

Chonnach mo dhóthainn de thiortha I gceinn
Ór agus airgead, tsaibhreas an tsaoil
Éirionn an chroí 'nam le breacadh an lae
'S me ag druidim le dothaigh mo mhuintire .... agus .....

Trasna na dtonnta dul siar, dul siar
Slán leis an uaigneas 'gus slán leis an gcian
Geal í mo chroí is geal í an grian
Is geal bheith ag file go Éirinn

Chorus 2:
Westering home with a song in the air
Light in me eye and it's goodbye to care
Laughter and love, and a welcoming there
Isle of my heart my own love

Where are the folk like the folk of the west
Canty and couthy, aye kindly the best
There would I hide me aye, there would I rest
At hame with my ain folk in Islay ..... and it's .....

Chorus:
Trasna na dtonnta, dul siar, dul siar
Slán leis an uaigneas 'gus slán leis an gcian
Geal í mo chroí 'gus geal í an grian
Is geal bheith ag file go Éirinn ..... and it's .....

Chorus 2:
Westering home with a song in the air
Light in my eye and it's goodbye to care
Laughter and love, and a welcoming there
Isle of my heart my own love