"Yuh sleep wid daag , yuh ketch him flea.” Most of us know this venerable Jamaican adage as “He who lies down with dogs rises with fleas.” Proverbs provide insight into human nature that transcend nationality, yet their individual versions offer a taste of a nation’s soul—and none are more delicious than the proverbs of Ireland.
Irish warnings against misbehaving abound, such as “The road to Heaven is well signposted, but it’s badly lit at night.” Sweet sayings for lovers include “He who stares into the middle of a fire does be heavily in love” and “Where there is love, it’s easy to halve the potato.”
And when the glow of love wears off? “A woman’s tongue is a thing that does not rust” is well met by “Men are like bagpipes—they make no sound until they're full.”
The Irish word for proverbs is seanfhocail (SHAN-uck-will), which literally means "old words.” I read through several volumes of these witty gems in my quest to make the characters in A Band of Roses sound more Irish.
A Band of Roses is a rollicking blend of historical fantasy, bittersweet romance, a little sci-fi, and a lot of suspense. It’s the first in a trilogy starring the indomitable Princess Talty Boru, her devoted champion Neil, and a lovable cast of dauntless heroes and devious villains.
The story supposes what Ireland would be like today if High King Brian Boru hadn’t perished at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 A.D. His descendant, modern day Princess Talty, wishes she were anyone but the heir to her father’s throne. An arranged marriage offers an escape from her royal duties, but she quickly learns to be careful what she wishes for when a web of foreign intrigue and murder turns her world upside down.
From Japan to California to an eleventh century Ireland preparing for the Battle of Clontarf, Talty must hide her true identity, yet she can’t hide her ingrained training as a member of the Fianna: the warriors who guard the Kingdom of Ireland. She finds romance and adventure, but all she wants is to return to her family and Neil, the lifelong friend and protector she secretly loves and can’t have—or so she thinks. Neil has a secret of his own, one that emerges as the Boru clan works with England's MI6 to thwart an invasion of Ireland and bring Talty home.
To properly flavor the story, I added a dollop of Dublin slang to the characters’ speech. My subsequent taste test determined that “Roses” required more seasoning. A generous sprinkling of Irish proverbs added a complexity not only unique to the Emerald Isle, but also fun to read.
Honey is sweet, but don’t lick it from a thornbush.
Don’t show your teeth until you can bite.
Leave a little room for the fairies to dance.
One of Talty’s kinsmen describes her by saying, “A lion isn’t a fitting companion for all men,” and “It takes a woman to beat the devil.” The Boru family motto is “The Strong Hand Rules.” King Brian constantly reminds his family “There is No Strength Without Unity,” but Talty learns the hard way that “Adversity is the Source of Strength.”
For all that, I’ve barely tapped the wealth of Irish proverbs. More than enough of these jewels remain to enrich the “Roses” sequels, and I’ve already enlisted several:
The new broom sweeps the house best,
but the old broom knows where the dirt is.
Don’t be banging your shin on a stool that’s not in your way.
The finest shoe makes a sorry hat.
Hunger makes a good sauce.
The climate, culture, and landscape of Ireland helped coin these magical phrases. I hope the few I’ve mentioned here leave your mouth watering for more.
My thanks to Book Wenches for inviting me to pen this week’s guest blog, and my sincere gratitude to Bobby for her sensational review of A Band of Roses.
Posted by Pat McDermott
at 1:11 PM
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