Little Nora (a translation of 'A Nóra bheag') by Pascal O'Loughlin

O little Nora where were you last night?

Says I to my beautiful darling.

I was out the back by the well, says she,

Learning a new jig and a reel.

Chorus:

O Nora, my darling little one,

You are my shimmering star.

O Nora, my darling lovely child,

I need you more than I can bear.

But Nora loves to eat fat beans

and Nora loves her brandy

and Nora loves her roasty spuds

with plenty of melted butter.

If you will be my love, says I,

I’ll give you cakes and biscuits.

I’ll give you a cloak of golden threads

And beautiful songs and music.

Chorus:

O Nora, my darling little one,

You are my shimmering star.

O Nora, my darling lovely child,

I need you more than I can bear.

But Nora loves to eat fat beans

and Nora loves her brandy

and Nora loves her roasty spuds

with plenty of melted butter.

O little Nora, where were you last night?

I was out in the back with a stranger.

But who was this lad with his pipe and his bag

and him playing so forcefully?