Hola, por favor, perdone que hable tan mal el espanol..

This is a very old and very emotional Irish song based on the small town of "Kilkelly" in County Mayo, Ireland. I would really like to adopt a translated version for a small spanish town so that the words are more relevant to the local spaniards.

If you'd like to hear a good Irish version you can find it here..
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm3cpx-9kPg

1st Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 60, my dear and loving son John
Benejuzar, Espana dieciocho y sesenta....

Your good friend the schoolmaster Pat McNamara, was so good to write these words down.

Your brothers' have all gone to find work in England, the house is so empty and sad,
vuestros hermanos...

The crop of potatoes is badly infected, a third to a half of them bad.

And your sister Brigit and Patrick O'Donnell, are going to be married in June.
y vuestra hermana Bridget y Patrick O'Donnell...

Your mother says not to work on the railroad and be sure to come on home soon.


2nd Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 70, dear and loving son John
Benejuzar, Espana dieciocho y setenta,

Hello to your Mrs and to your 4 children, may they grow healthy and strong.

Michael has got in a little bit of trouble, I guess that he never will learn.

Because of the dampness there's no turf to speak of so now we have nothing to burn.

But Brigit is happy, you named a child for her, although she's got six of her own.

You say you found work, but you don't say what kind, or when you'll be coming back home.


3rd Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 80, dear Michael and John, my sons
Benejuzar, Espana dieciocho y ochenta,

I'm sorry to bring you the very sad news that your dear old mother has gone,

We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly, your brothers and Brigid were there.

You don't have to worry, she died very quickly, remember her in your prayers.

And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning, with money he's sure to buy land,

For the crop has been poor and the people are selling, at any price that they can.


4th Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 90, my dear and loving son John
Benejuzar, Espana dieciocho y noventa,

I guess that I must be close on to eighty, it's thirty years since you're gone.

Because of all of the money you send me, I'm still living fine on my own.

Michael has built himself a fine house and Brigid's daughters have grown.

Thank you for sending your family picture, they're lovely young women and men.

You say that you might even come for a visit, what joy to see you again.

5th Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 92, my dear brother John,
Benejuzar, Espana dieciocho y noventa dos,

I'm sorry that I didn't write sooner to tell you that father passed on (died).

He was living with Brigid, she says he was cheerful and healthy right down to the end.

Ah, you should have seen him play with the grandchildren of Pat McNamara, your friend.

And we buried him alongside of mother, down at Kilkelly churchyard.

He was a strong and a feisty (courageous) old man, considering his life was so hard.

And it's funny the way he kept talking about you, he called out for you at the end.

Oh, why don't you think about coming to visit, we'd all love to see you again.



Muchas Gracias, te lo agradezco

1st Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 60, my dear and loving son John
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España) 1860 (mil ochocientos sesenta), mi querido y bien amado hijo John:

Your good friend the schoolmaster Pat McNamara, was so good to write these words down.
Tu buen amigo Pat McNamara, el maestro (de escuela), fue tan bondadoso de escribir estas palabras

Your brothers' have all gone to find work in England, the house is so empty and sad,
Todos tus hermanos se han marchado a buscar trabajo en Inglaterra, la casa está muy vacia y triste

The crop of potatoes is badly infected, a third to a half of them bad.
La cosecha de patatas está infectada gravemente, entre un tercio y la mitad están malas

And your sister Brigit and Patrick O'Donnell, are going to be married in June.
Y tu hermana Brigit y Patrick O'Donnell se van a casar en junio

Your mother says not to work on the railroad and be sure to come on home soon.
Tu madre te pide que no trabajes en los ferrocarriles y que te asegures de venir a casa pronto



2nd Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 70, dear and loving son John
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España) 1870 (mil ochocientos setenta), mi querido y bien amado hijo John:

Hello to your Mrs and to your 4 children, may they grow healthy and strong.
Saludos para tu esposa y tus 4 hijos, que ojalá crezcan saludables y fuertes

Michael has got in a little bit of trouble, I guess that he never will learn.
Michael se ha metido en unos pocos problemas, supongo que nunca aprenderá

Because of the dampness there's no turf to speak of so now we have nothing to burn.
Debido a la humedad no hay turba en realidad y ahora no tenemos que quemar

But Brigit is happy, you named a child for her, although she's got six of her own.
pero Brigit está feliz porque nombraste a uno de tus hijos en su honor, aunque ella tenga seis hijos propios

You say you found work, but you don't say what kind, or when you'll be coming back home.
Dices que has encontrado trabajo, pero no nos has dicho de qué tipo o cuando vendrás a casa



3rd Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 80, dear Michael and John, my sons
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España), 1880 (mil ochocientos ochenta), mis hijos Michael y John:

I'm sorry to bring you the very sad news that your dear old mother has gone,
Siento daros la muy triste noticia de que vuestra amada y anciana madre nos ha dejado

We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly, your brothers and Brigid were there.
La enterramos en la iglesia de Kilkelly, vuestros hermanos y Brigid estuvieron ahí

You don't have to worry, she died very quickly, remember her in your prayers.
No os preocupéis, murió muy rapidamente, acordaos de ella cuando recéis

And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning, with money he's sure to buy land,
Y es tan bueno oír que Michael piensa volver, con su dinero seguramente comprará tierras

For the crop has been poor and the people are selling, at any price that they can.
pues la cosecha ha sido mala y la gente está vendiendo (su propiedad) a cualquier precio que les ofrezcan



4th Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 90, my dear and loving son John
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España), 1890 (mil ochocientos noventa), mi querido y bien amado hijo John:

I guess that I must be close on to eighty, it's thirty years since you're gone.
Creo que debo andar rondando los ochenta, hace treinta años que te fuiste

Because of all of the money you send me, I'm still living fine on my own.
Gracias a todo el dinero que me envias, aun vivo bien y solo

Michael has built himself a fine house and Brigid's daughters have grown.
Michael ha construido una casa hermosa y las hijas de Brigid han crecido

Thank you for sending your family picture, they're lovely young women and men.
Gracias por enviar la foto de tu familia, son mujeres y hombres jovenes y encantadores

You say that you might even come for a visit, what joy to see you again.
Dices que tal vez hasta vengas de visita, qué alegria verte de nuevo



5th Verse
Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 92 my dear brother John
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España), 1892 (mil ochocientos noventa y dos), mi querido hermano John:

I'm sorry that I didn't write sooner to tell you that father passed on (died).
Siento no haberte escrito antes para decirte que papá falleció (murió)

He was living with Brigid, she says he was cheerful and healthy right down to the end.
Estaba viviendo con Brigid, y ella dice que se mantuvo alegre y saludable hasta el ultimo momento

Ah, you should have seen him play with the grandchildren of Pat McNamara, your friend.
Ah, deberías haberlo visto jugar con los nietos de Pat McNamara, tu amigo

And we buried him alongside of mother, down at Kilkelly churchyard.
Y lo enterramos junto a mamá, en el cementerio de la iglesia de Kilkelly

He was a strong and a feisty (courageous) old man, considering his life was so hard.
Era un anciano fuerte y luchón (valiente), considerando que su vida fue tan dura

And it's funny the way he kept talking about you, he called out for you at the end.
Y es rara la manera en que seguía hablando de ti, te llamó al final

Oh, why don't you think about coming to visit, we'd all love to see you again.
Oh, ¿por qué no vienes a visitarnos? A todos nos encantaría verte de nuevo
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Hi Benny!

”Vuestro” is for plural, that’s why I changed it for “tu” (you, singular, informal).

It’s a moving song, and somewhat I can relate to it due to personal reasons. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Hey, I was thinking that since "18 and 60", "18 and 70" etc. refer to the year, it may not be clear enough in spanish, since we don't split the year numbers in two (ie for 1998 we say "one thousand nine hundred and ninety eight", it's not possible to say "nineteen ninety eight" [I mean their equivalent in spanish of course] ). Thus, I'd suggest to say "mil ochocientos sesenta y tantos" (one thousand eight hundred sixty and a peak), "mil ochocientos setenta y tantos" (one thousand eight hundred seventy and a peak) etc.

Well... that's only an opinion of course maybe there will be other suggestions and ideas concerning this.

Nice you Citlalli .. I was doing this when my brother came and I had to stop translating ... Never mind, you did a very good job

Y yo cuando lo lei, lo hiba a traducir, pero pense no ser selfish y dejarlo para uds.

Thanks girls beautiful song, ain't it?? Saluditos desde el viejo continente

Originally Posted by citlalli

Thus, I'd suggest to say "mil ochocientos sesenta y tantos" (one thousand eight hundred sixty and a peak)

Citlalli, thank you so much that is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
I really appreciate your time.

I see your point about the dates but don't understand what you mean by "and a peak" ?

Also need to know the complete first line for each verse as some are slightly different;

1. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 60 my dear and loving son John
2. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 70 my dear and loving son John
3. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 80 micheal and John my sons
4. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 90 my dear and loving son John
5. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 92 my dear brother John

Once again thank you so much for your hard work, I hope I can somehow return the favour in some small way.

Originally Posted by Benny Oozar

I see your point about the dates but don't understand what you mean by "and a peak" ?

Hi Benny!

Hehe, sorry, sometimes my first language interferes with my thoughts LOL. I meant to say: 1860 something, 1870 something, etc. but now that I just re-read the sentences I realise that that'not what it says anyway but it's simply 1860, 1870, etc

So, here we go:

1. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 60 my dear and loving son John
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España) 1860 (mil ochocientos sesenta), mi querido y bien amado hijo John:

2. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 70 my dear and loving son John
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España) 1870 (mil ochocientos setenta), mi querido y bien amado hijo John:

3. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 80 micheal and John my sons
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España), 1880 (mil ochocientos ochenta), mis hijos Michael y John:

4. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 90 my dear and loving son John
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España), 1890 (mil ochocientos noventa), mi querido y bien amado hijo John:

5. Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 92 my dear brother John
Kilkelly, Irlanda (Benejuzar, España), 1892 (mil ochocientos noventa y dos), mi querido hermano John:

I've added the first line of each verse to the translation, and I needed to make a few changes in the third paragraph because it's addressed to two people instead of only one...

Citlalli... what can I say? you are my hero!!!!!!!!!! ;O)

If I do manage to get the words to merge with the tune, I'll record it and post on youtube, then place a link back here.

Thanks again, you've made my day!!

Originally Posted by Benny Oozar

Citlalli... what can I say? you are my hero!!!!!!!!!! ;O)

If I do manage to get the words to merge with the tune, I'll record it and post on youtube, then place a link back here.

Thanks again, you've made my day!!

please do it.... we want to hear it ..

Yes, yes we want to hear it!!!

And thanks for your kind words Benny, I'm glad I could help

I'm struggling with it because the last words of each two lines (in english) rhyme, so this makes any translation almost unworkable (it simply doesn't sound correct). Obviously this will always be the case with any lyrics that use rhyming verse where translation is required.

I'm wondering what do others normally do in these circumstances in situations where they wish to sing/play a translated song, rather then simply know what the words mean?

Any musicians out there with a view on this?

... yeah, we need the help of a musician or a poet

Well, I'm not a musician nor a poet, but they use to change the order of the whole sentence to make it rhyme in the last word (wich also can be swiched). Or just rearrange the song with new words but same ideas.
A friend of mine does "fandub" from Japanese to Spanish, so you can imagine she changed a lot of things, but keeping the main idea in every verse.

Good day =)

Well, yeah, that's obviously what they do, but I don't think I have the talent or the time for it, so if anyone around here wants to give it a try I think it'd be greatly appreciated