Irish music – Galway Girl

One very famous Irish song is called “Galway Girl”.

There are two versions of this song. One modern version is sung by Ed Sheeran and one traditional version is sung by Steve Earl.

Exercise 1: Listen to the two songs. Which typical Irish instruments can you hear in the two songs?

Exercise 2: Listen to the song by Ed Sheeran and fill in the gaps.

"Galway Girl" by Ed Sheeran

She played the _____________ in an Irish bandBut she fell in love with an English manKissed her on the neck and then I took her by the __________________Said, "Baby, I just want to _____________"

I met her on Grafton street right outside of the barShe shared a cigarette with me while her brother played the ______________She asked me what does it mean the Gaelic ink on your arm?Said it was one of my friend's songs do you want to drink on?

She took Jamie as a chaser, Jack for the funShe got Arthur on the _____________, with Johnny riding as shotgunChatted some more, one more drink at the barThen put Van on the ______________, got up to dance, you know

She played the fiddle in an ______________________But she fell in love with an __________________________Kissed her on the neck and then I took her by the handSaid, "Baby, I just want to dance"

With my pretty little Galway GirlYou're my ________________________________________

Song 1 “Ed Sheeran “ Song 2 “Steve Earl “

Exercise 3: Listen to the song by Steve Earl and translate the marked passage into good German.

"The Galway Girl" by Steve Earl

Well, I took a stroll on the old long walkOf a day -I-ay-I-ayI met a little girl and we stopped to talkOf a fine soft day -I-ayAnd I ask you, friend, what's a fella to do'Cause her hair was black and her eyes were blueAnd I knew right then I'd be takin' a whirl'Round the Salthill Prom with a Galway girl

We were halfway there when the rain came downOf a day -I-ay-I-ayAnd she asked me up to her flat downtownOf a fine soft day -I-ayAnd I ask you, friend, what's a fella to do'Cause her hair was black and her eyes were blueSo I took her hand and I gave her a twirlAnd I lost my heart to a Galway girl

When I woke up I was all aloneWith a broken heart and a ticket homeAnd I ask you now, tell me what would you doIf her hair was black and her eyes were blueI've traveled around I've been all over this worldBoys, I ain't never seen nothin' like a Galway girl

Your translation:

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(to) travel = reisen

ain’t = have not

nothin‘ = nothing