Finvola, the Gem of the Roe

In the land of Ó Catháin, where bleak mountains rise,
O'er whose brown ridgy tops now the dusky cloud flies,
Deep sunk in a valley a wild flower did grow,
And her name was Finvola, the gem of the Roe.

The Gem of the Roe, The Gem of the Roe,
And her name was Finvola, the gem of the Roe.

From the Isles of Aebudae, appeared to our view,
A youth clad in tartan,'tis strange as 'tis true,
With a star on his breast, and unstrung was his bow,
And he sigh'd for Finvola, the gem of the Roe.

The Gem of the Roe, The Gem of the Roe,
And he sighed for Finvola, the gem of the roe

To the grey shore of Alba his bride he did bear
And shed were the fond years these lovers did share
For thrice on a hillside the banshee cried low
'Twas the death of Finvola, the gem of the roe.

The Gem of the Roe, The Gem of the Roe,
'Twas the death of Finvola, the gem of the roe.

No more up the streamlet her maidens shall hie,
For wan the cold cheek, and bedim'd the blue eye,
In silent affliction our sorrow shall flow,
Since gone is Finvola, the gem of the Roe.

The Gem of the Roe, The Gem of the Roe,
Since gone is Finvola, the gem of the Roe.

Summary of the Song/Legend

A Scottish chief from the Island of Islay fell in love with her, the Ó Catháins agreed to their marriage on the condition that her body be returned to the Roe Valley on her death. Some years latter the Ó Catháin's heard their Banshee, Grainne Roe Ó Catháin, a spirit who only cried for the death of an Ó Catháin.

They deduced that it must be Finvola who had died and when her body was not returned they gathered a large party together and went to Islay. There they found her husband sunk in grief. He told them he could not bring himself to return Finvola's body but now that they had come they might take her. So she was brought back to the Roe Valley and the banshee was silent.