Nil Sen La Lyrics and chords

by John Spillane, the lyrics and guitar chords are the work of Eóin Ó Ceallaigh. Thanks Eóin. The English translation is included. There's also a version by Clannad who sing in the key of Dm. The list of As Gaeilge Song Lyrics on the site .

D                                    G
Chuaigh mé isteach i dteach aréir
           D                                  A
is d'iarr mé cairde ar mhnaoi an leanna.
           D                                  G
Is é dúirt sí ­ liom "Ní ­bhfaighidh tú deor.
            D                        A
Buail an bóthar is gabh abhaile."

Curfá:
Ní­l sé ina lá, ní­l a ghrá,
ní­l sé ina lá is ní ­ bheidh go maidin,
ní­l sé ina lá is ní ­ bheidh go fóill,
solas ard atá sa ghealaigh.

Chuir mé féin mo lámh i mo phóca
is d'iarr mé briseadh scillinge uirthi.
Is é dúirt sí ­ liom "Suigh sí ­os ag bord
is bí ­ ag ól anseo go maidin."

Curfá

"Éirigh i do shuí ­, a fhear an tí ­,
cuir ort do bhrí­stí ­ is do hata
go gcoinne tú ceol leis an duine cóir
a bheas ag ól anseo go maidin."

Curfá

Nach mise féin an fear gan chéill
a d'fhág mo chíos in mo scornaigh?
D'fhág mé léan orm féin
is d'fhág mé séan ar dhaoine eile.

Dm                                
Chuaigh mé isteach i dteach aréir
                                      C
is d'iarr mé cairde ar mhnaoi an leanna.
           Dm
Is é dúirt sí ­ liom "Ní ­bhfaighidh tú deor.
            C                        Dm
Buail an bóthar is gabh abhaile."

Curfá:
Ní­l sé ina lá, ní­l a ghrá,
ní­l sé ina lá is ní ­ bheidh go maidin,
ní­l sé ina lá is ní ­ bheidh go fóill,
solas ard atá sa ghealaigh.

Chuir mé féin mo lámh i mo phóca
is d'iarr mé briseadh scillinge uirthi.
Is é dúirt sí ­ liom "Suigh sí ­os ag bord
is bí ­ ag ól anseo go maidin."

Curfá
"Éirigh i do shuí ­, a fhear an tí ­,
cuir ort do bhrí­stí ­ is do hata
go gcoinne tú ceol leis an duine cóir
a bheas ag ól anseo go maidin."

Curfá
Nach mise féin an fear gan chéill
a d'fhág mo chíos in mo scornaigh?
D'fhág mé léan orm féin
is d'fhág mé séan ar dhaoine eile.


English Translation

I went into a tavern, and the barkeep,
doesn't much care for the look of me.
I look like I've got no money on me.
She tells me to hit the road.

I put my hand into my pocket,
I asked if she could break a shilling.
She said to me "Sit down at the table,
you'll be drinking here 'till morning."

She roused the man of the house,
tells him to get up, put his trousers and hat on,
and go out and find a musician to entertain me,
so I'll stay here drinking until morning.

Was I the man without sense to leave?
my money when I'd been scorned?
I left woefully, I left a sign to other people.