"Deus Meus." Printed by Dr. Whitley Stokes in the Calendar of Ængus, clxxxv. It is found written on the margin of the Leabhar Breac, facs., p. 101, and is there ascribed to Maelisu ua Brolcan (d. 1086). Dr. George Sigerson's poetical rendering will be found in his Bards of the Gael and Gall (T. Fisher Unwin, 1897), p. 193.
"The Soul's Desire." Original and literal translation by Dr. Kuno Meyer in the Gaelic Journal, vol. v., No.6, 1894, p. 95. Though printed from comparatively late copies, the hymn gives the impression of being ancient.
"Song of the Sea." Original and literal translation by Dr. Kuno Meyer in Otia Merseiana (Liverpool), ii. p. 76. It is ascribed to the poet Ruman, who died 707, but the editor believes it to be of the eleventh century.
"Lament of the Old Woman of Beare." From Dr. Kuno Meyer's text and translation in Otia Merseiana, i. p. 119 ff. It has since been reprinted in the author's Selections from Early Irish Poetry, pp. 88-91. The editor would put the poem down to the late tenth century.
"Gormliath's Lament for Nial Black-knee." From the Scottish Book of the Dean of Lismore, edited by Rev. Thos. M'Lauchlan.
"The Mother's Lament." First printed by Rev. Edmund Hogan in his Latin Lives of the Irish Saints (Todd Lectures, V., 1894); see also Gaelic Journal, iv. p. 89, and Kuno Meyer's Ancient Irish Poetry, p. 42. Eleventh century? Mr. Graves has kindly given me permission to use his excellent unpublished version.
"Consecration." Original from the Book of the Dean of Lismore, a collection of poems made in the Western Islands about 1512 by Sir James McGregor, Dean of Lismore, Argyleshire, p. 121. It contains many Irish poems. This and the two following poems are ascribed to Murdoch O'Daly, called "Muredach Albanach," or Murdoch the Scot, on account of his long residence in that country. He is styled "Bard of Erin and Alba." He was a Connaught poet, who ended a stormy career by retiring to the Irish monastery of Knockmoy. It is probable that these religious poems, if not actually written by him, were composed about his period.
"Teach me, O Trinity," ibid., p. 123.
"The Shaving of Murdoch," ibid., p. 158 note, from a translation made by Standish H. O'Grady. This curious poem refers to the tonsuring of the bard and his contemporary Connaught chieftain, Cathal of the Red Hand, when they entered the monastery of Knockmoy together. In Scotland Murdoch is remembered as the first of the Macvurrachs, bards to the Macdonalds of Clanranald. He lived 1180-1225, and Cathal of the Red Hand, 1184-1225.
"Eileen Aroon." Original in Hardimen, i. p. 264; it should be compared with the version, ibid., p. 211. The present is the oldest form. Carol O'Daly, who composed it, was an accomplished Connaught gentleman, whose desire to marry Eileen Kavanagh was frustrated by her friends. He fled the country, but returned, disguised as a harper, on the eve of her marriage to another suitor, and entered the guest-chamber. He poured out this impassioned appeal with such good effect, that Eileen fled with him that night. The last lines are a welcome to her in response to her avowal of love. The air is very ancient; in Scotland it is known as "Robin Adair."