Rince Philip A' Cheoil
(Dance of Musical Philip)

Lyrics, phonetics, and translations were cobbled together by a joint effort of Eva Gordon and Doug Dean. This song appears on Clannad's "Ring of Gold" and "Clannad 2" albums and we suggest listening to their performance in order to learn the Gaelic and the tune.

[Irish-Gaelic]
[Rough Phonetic]

[1]
Poirtín Sheáin a' tSíodh a' s rince Philip a' Cheoil,
Déansa domhsa rince' s seinnfidh mise an ceol.

[Curfa]
Ó sé 'bhean nach deas é,
Ó sé 'bhean nach seoigh,
Ó sé 'bhean nach deas é,
Rince Philip a' Cheoil.

[2]
Poirtín Sheáin a' tSíodh a' s rince Philip a' Cheoil,
Sin mar bhí go dtí seo 's amhlaidh bheidh sé go deo.

[Curfa]

[3]
Poirtín Sheáin a' tSíodh a' s rince Philip a' Cheoil,
Dreas do chorn-phíoba meidhreach agus go beo.

[Curfa]

[4]
Poirtín Sheáin a' tSíodh a' s rince Philip a' Cheoil,
Aoibhin linn an rince, an siamsa agus an ceol.

[Curfa]

[1]
Por-cheen Hyan a-Cheed-ass rinka Philip ah xHyoll*,
Jan-sah dow-sah rinkas shaynee misha ahn kyoll.

[Curfa]
Oh shay van nokh jass ay,
Oh shay van nokh shoy,
Oh shay van nokh jass ay,
Rinka Philip ah xHyoll.

[2]
Por-cheen Hyan a-Cheed-ass rinka Philip ah xHyoll,
Shin mahr vee guh jee show sow-lee veh shay guh joe.

[Curfa]

[3]
Por-cheen Hyan a-Cheed-ass rinka Philip ah xHyoll,
Drass duh xHorun-feebah may-rokh ah-gus guh byoe.

[Curfa]

[4]
Por-cheen Hyan a-Cheed-ass rinka Philip ah xHyoll,
EEv-en linn ahn rink-ahn sheem-sah ah-gus guh kyoll.

[Curfa]

*Cheoil = xHyoll : rendered with an asperation while the back of the tongue is lifted to the roof of the mouth or soft palette (like the 'ch' in "loch" only softer).


Rough translation of the song...
1)
Silky Sean's tune and Musical Philip's dance,
Do a dance for me and I'll play the music. 		Chorus)
Oh woman isn't it nice,
Oh woman isn't it great,
Oh woman isn't it nice,
Musical Philip's dance.

 		2)
Silky Sean's tune and Musical Philip's dance,
That's how it's always been and that's how it will always be.
3)
Silky Sean's tune and Musical Philip's dance,
Do your hornpipe, mirthful and lively. 		4)
Silky Sean's tune and Musical Philip's dance,
We delight in the dance, the entertainment and the music.

The display of these songs on this site is only meant as a means for the Celtic Arts Center Choir to distribute songs to its members. This is not intended for wider publication or larger distribution.

© 2009 TechnoCelt Productions in association with The Celtic Arts Center / An Claidheamh Soluis. All rights reserved.