Versions of Bean Dubh an Ghleanna (sometimes called Mol Dubh) have been collected in many parts of Gealic speaking Ireland, North, West, and South. Versions of it are found in Poets and Poetry of Munster, in Freeman (vol 2), in Londubh an Chairn, and in De hÍde's Amhráin Grádha Chúige Chonnacht.

The version sung on the album "Rógaire Dubh" is the one associated with the Déise (the ancient Irish name for the area south of the Commeragh and Knock Maol-Donn mountains) repertoire. It was popularised by the Tóibíns and other great singers of Rinn Ó gCúnnach. Séamus Ennis sang it frequently and both he and Willie Clancy played it masterfully on the Uilleann Pipes.

Played or sung it is a plendid lyrical and challenging piece, one of the finest songs/airs in the Irish traditional repertoire.

In the Cúl Aodha/Baile Mhuirne Gaeltacht they have a local version of the Bean Dubh, and again it is a wonderful song. With a bit of luck, on a good nights singing, you might hear the two versions and have rogha na mBan Dubh.

:Séamus Mac Mathúna

In this rendition of the song I only sing two verses to allow for the perfect compliment as it slides into a lovely heart-lifting rendition of Kiss the Maid behind the Barrel.

Words

Tá bó ‘gam ar an sliabh, agus táím le seal ‘na diadh
O chailleas-sa mo chiall le nóchar
Dá seoladh soir is siar, i ngach áit a ngabhann an ghrian
Ó mhaidin go mbuíonn tráthnóna
Nuair a fhéachaim féin anon, ins an áit ’na mbíodh mo rún
Sillean óm shúile sruth deora
Ó’ s a rí ghil na gcumhacht, go bhfóirir ar mo chúís
Mar sí’n bhean dubh ón ngleann do bhreoidh mé.

An té a chífeadh mo theach, is gan de dhíon air ach seasc
‘ S é suite ar leath-taoibh a’ bhóthair
Mar a ghabhann ann a’ bheach, go ndeineann ann a nead
Le grian is le teas an tsamhraidh
Nuair a chríonann an tslat, ní fhanann uirthi meas
Ach ag tnúth leis an mbrainse is óige
Ach mo chailín plúrach deas, a Déilaigh uaim le spreas
Mo chúig céad slán go deo leat.