Dado's Song
Author: D. Barron
Air: Sé Mo Laoch (Mo Ghiolla Mear)
Sung by Mary Butler

Dado's Song
Author: D. Barron
Air: Sé Mo Laoch (Mo Ghiolla Mear)
Sung by Mary Butler

Theme: hero, love, family hopes.
Se Mo Laoch is a song about heroes. Heroes give us joy and pride and hope: we celebrate with joy at their victories; we take pride in their deeds; we take hope from their potential to overcome adver-sity. Grandchildren also bring those gifts of joy, pride and hope to grandparents. Having experi-enced what’s important in life, grandparents wish fulfillment and contentment for their grandchildren. This happiness can be found through caring and fulfilling relationships, something all humans need and that grandparents wish for their grandchildren.
It is fitting that the traditional air be given these new words about its original theme.

Dado’s**** Song ( Amhran Daideo)

Chorus
Gasúin Óg* you melt my heart;
Torthaí glúine imithe, thart**;
Bring me joy and pride and hope;
Síol na nglúine le teacht fós***.

Cailín Óg, you light my life,
Beaming through the fog of life,
Piercing gloom with your coy smile,
Charming my old heart with joy.

Find a man who’s true to you;
Together see life’s voyage through;
Be aware of both your needs,
May ‘Fulfill each other’ be your creed.

Chorus

Buachaill Óg, you are my pride,
Strong in limb and swift in mind;
You are the minder of our blood:
Grow wise and brave, be kind, be good.

Find a wife, respect her well,
Avoid the loud and gaudy girls;
Keep her safe, make her smile;
Meet both your needs, all the while.

Chorus

May old age see you safe and sound
With friends and family all around,
Admiring all you have achieved,
And your heart content with all your deeds
Gasúin Og, you bring me hope
That age is more than tattered coat;
I will be more than old scarecrow:
My ageing heart restores its glow.

Chorus

*Young Children

**Fruits of generations gone, finished

***Seed of generations still to come

**** Daideo, ‘Dado’ = Grandfather

From Carlow Streams