HYDE, Douglas [An Craoibhín Aoibhinn] A Lament on Ireland / Caoineadh ar Éirinn. (Leis an g-Craoibhín Aoibhinn). An ceól agus an béarla le “Aod Beag.” Autograph music-manuscript with words. Circa 1901.

Four page foolscap written on first page only in ink on pre-ruled staff paper. Headed “A Lament on Ireland (Caoineadh na hÉireann)” with key indication “Gleas F: do vocam.” The air is given in staff notation in four stanzas; beneath each strain Hyde supplies a full tonic-sol-fa transcription and English translation. “In mourning and tears I’ll lament o’er the glory of Erin’s famed Kings in the brave days of yore …” together with lines in Irish. Bar- and phrase-marks, small rhythmic corrections and pointing.
“Numbered “26 9” in red pencil at head. Old horizontal fold, light handling and toning; very good, crisp and legible. Hyde (1860-1949) scholar, poet, founder of Conradh na Gaeilge and later the first President of Ireland was a tireless collector and editor of Connacht song and verse. While his best-known publications Love Songs of Connacht, Religious Songs of Connacht, etc., chiefly present texts with translations, he also notated airs for Gaelic League classes and competitions, often duplicating them in tonic-sol-fa so that community choirs and new learners could sing them without staff-reading. Entry No. 9, comprising music notation and English translation, was submitted by “Aodh Beag” for competition No. 26 in the 1901 Oireachtas, the Gaelic League’s annual cultural festival, which was held in Dublin at the end of May that year. The aim of the competition was to compose a tune to accompany the song “Caoineadh ar Éirinn” (A Lament for Ireland), which had been written by the League’s President, An Craoibhín Aoibhinn (Douglas Hyde). The prize of £3 was provided by Cumann na Gaedhilge, the Gaelic Society of New York. “Caoineadh ar Éirinn” was first published anonymously in The Irishman Newspaper, 2 December 1882.
The reverse contains a short pencil note, signed by James Casey or Séamus Ó Cathasaigh, the Oireachtas Secretary. It informs the addressee [“Aodh Beag”], that details of the marks awarded his piece are provided, evidently elsewhere, and that the percentage he had achieved was a ‘respectable’ one. The prize-winner was Tomás Ó hAodha of the Keating Branch.

[Cat 162]