From the recording The Vow, An Irish Wedding Celebration
1. Fig For a Kiss 3:23
A well known session tune with several variants; this version is based on the song Gáire na mBan or Laughter of the Women. It represents the beginning of courtship and couples gathering.
Lyrics
(Gáire na mBan - Laugher of the Women)
Rínce 's ceol bíodh againne
Gliogar is sport is ragairne
Buailimís ceól go fearuíl
Is gealainnís croithe na mban.
Curfa:
Ó ro na cailiní 's búachaillí óga fearúla
Rínce, ceól is ragairne
Aileacht is gáire na mban.
Síos is súas an macha linn
Anonn 's anall 's isteach arís
Tuagimís cuairt is casadh
Is blaisimís beola na mban.
Seinimís duain is canaimís
Caithimís súas ar mbratacha
Ce bheadh duairc faoí mhairg
Nuair a Chifeach sí gáire na mban.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Dancing and music had we
chat and sport and revelling
We played great music and
waved to the women
Chorus:
the mildness of the girls and
the young manly boys
dancing, music and revelry
the beauty and laughter of the women
Up and down the yard we went
to and fro and through again
visiting with and tasting
the lips of the women
Playing songs and singing
we threw off our clocks
Who could be gloomy or sorrowful
around the laughter of women