What’s in a Name?

As she onward sped, sure I shook my head,
  And I looked with a feeling rare,
And I said, says I, to a passer-by,
  “Who’s the maid with the nut-brown hair?”
He smiled at me and with pride says he,
  “That’s the gem of Ireland’s crown,
Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann,
  She’s the star of the County Down.”

— Traditional Irish Ballad

Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn,
What danger thou canst make us scorn!
Wi’ tipenny, we fear nae evil;
Wi’ usquebae, we’ll face the devil!

— Robbie Burns 1791

(‘Usquebaugh’ is the Gaelic for ‘Whiskey’)

Eileen Og, an’ that the darlin’s name is
Throughout the Barony her features they were famous
If we loved her then who was there to blame us
For wasn’t she the Pride of Petravore?

— Irish song by Percy French

(‘Og’ is Gaelic for ‘young woman’)

If she walks like a sly little rogue,
If she talks with a cute little brogue,
Sweet personality, full of rascality,
That’s Peggy O’Neill.

— Popular Irish Song

The Minstrel boy to the war has gone,
In the ranks of death you will find him.
His father's sword he has girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him.

— Irish Song by Thomas Moore

Don’t be starting them fashions now, Mary Machree,
Where the mountains on Mourne sweep down to the sea.

— Irish ballad by Percy French