Poetry Corner Leanabh an àigh

Mary MacDonald was a Gaelic Poet who lived from 1789 to 21st May 1872 and whilst she was spinning she would sing, many times to songs/poems which she composed herself; one of which is below.

Copyright M J Richardson via geograph.org.uk

Leanabh an àigh

(Scottish Gaelic)

Leanabh an àigh, an Leanabh bh’ aig Màiri
Rugadh san stàball, Rìgh nan Dùl;
Thàinig do ‘n fhàsach, dh’fhuling ‘n ar n-àite
Son’ iad an àireamh bhitheas dhà dlùth!

Ged a bhios leanabain aig rìghrean na talmhainn
An greadhnachas garbh is anabarr mùirn,
‘S geàrr gus am falbh iad, ‘s fàsaidh iad anfhann,
An àilleachd ‘san dealbh a’ searg ‘san ùir.

Cha b’ionann ‘s an t-Uan thàinig gur fuasgladh
Iriosal, stuama ghluais e’n tùs;
E naomh gun truailleachd, Cruithfhear an t-sluaigh,
Dh’éirich e suas le buaidh o ùir.

Leanabh an àigh, mar dh’aithris na fàidhean;
‘S na h-àinglean àrd’, b’e miann an sùl;
‘S E ‘s airidh air gràdh ‘s air urram thoirt dhà
Sona an àireamh bhitheas dhà dlùth.

Translation’s vary but here is one.

Child of Joy

(English)

Child of joy, child of Mary,
Born in the stable, king of hope,
Came into the world, to suffer in our place,
Happy shall be those who trust in him.

Though babes are born to kings on earth
In great joyfulness and abundant love,
Short is their life and they grow weak,
Their beauty and form dwindle into the earth.

It wasn’t the same for the Lamb who came to liberate us,
Dutiful and humble was he from the beginning,
Holy and undefiled, Creator of all people,
He rose up triumphantly from the earth.

Child of joy, as foretold by the prophets,
And for angels on high, he was the light of their eye,
And he is worthy of us revering him
Happy shall be those who trust in him.

Mama Lisa Store

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