Two Ditties
I’d like to give you the lyrics for two ditties this week. Luinneag – a ditty. The first ditty is Moladh a’ Bhàta. Praising the boat. Moladh a’ Bhàta.
Here is the chorus. My blessing on the yellow boat, it’s today she is useful. My blessing on the yellow boat.
Here are a few verses. We took her on the Minch, Before the sun had barely risen. My blessing on the yellow boat, it’s today she is useful. My blessing on the yellow boat.
Past the Mull of Kintyre, white spindrift was rising. My blessing on the yellow boat, it’s today she is useful. My blessing on the yellow boat.
Wind and sea made her, As fast as the mountain roe. My blessing on the yellow boat, it’s today she is useful. My blessing on the yellow boat.
The second ditty is Mionam air a’ Ghille Bheag. That means ‘the wee lad is a real sweetie or cutie’. Here are the words: The wee lad is a real sweetie, When will he bring me a gown? When will he bring me a coat and cloak from the shop? Do you understand that? Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh? When will he bring me a gown? Cuin a bheir e còt’ agus cleòc às a’ bhùth dhomh? When will he bring me a coat and cloak from the shop?
The wee lad is a real sweetie, When will he bring me a gown? When he grows strong, And he leaves the country.
The wee lad is a real sweetie, When will he bring me a gown? Sails will be on tall masts, And my love steering it.
The wee lad is a real sweetie, When will he bring me a gown? Isn’t it myself will be boastful, When he sails the iùbhrach. A iùbhrach is a sort of boat.
The wee lad is a real sweetie, When will he bring me a gown? When he reaches India, Silk will come to me.
The wee lad is a real sweetie, When will he bring me a gown? When will he bring me a coat and cloak from the shop?
Dà Luinneig
Bu mhath leam na briathran airson dà luinneig a thoirt dhuibh an t-seachdain seo. Luinneag – a ditty. ʼS e a’ chiad luinneag Moladh a’ Bhàta. Praising the boat. Moladh a’ Bhàta.
Seo an t-sèist. Mo bheannachd air a’ bhàta bhuidhe, ʼS ann an-diugh tha feum oirr’. Mo bheannachd air a’ bhàta bhuidhe.
Seo agaibh beagan rannan. Thug sinn an Cuan Siar dhi, Mun dʼ rinn aʼ ghrian ach èirigh. Mo bheannachd air a’ bhàta bhuidhe, ʼS ann an-diugh tha feum oirr’. Mo bheannachd air a’ bhàta bhuidhe.
Seachad Maol Chinn Tìre, Bha siaban geal ag èirigh. Mo bheannachd air a’ bhàta bhuidhe, ʼS ann an-diugh tha feum oirr’. Mo bheannachd air a’ bhàta bhuidhe.
ʼS ann [a] chuir gaoth is fairge i, Cho luath ri earb an t-slèibhe. Mo bheannachd air a’ bhàta bhuidhe, ʼS ann an-diugh tha feum oirr’. Mo bheannachd air a’ bhàta bhuidhe.
ʼS e an dàrna luinneag Mionam air a’ Ghille Bheag. Tha sin a’ ciallachadh ‘the wee lad is a real sweetie’. Seo na faclan: Mionam air a’ ghille bheag, Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh? Cuin a bheir e còt’ agus cleòc às a’ bhùth dhomh? A bheil sibh a’ tuigsinn sin? Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh? When will he bring me a gown? Cuin a bheir e còt’ agus cleòc às a’ bhùth dhomh? When will he bring me a coat and cloak from the shop? Seo, ma-thà, an còrr dhen luinneig.
Mionam air a’ ghille bheag, Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh? Nuair dh’fhàsas e làidir, ʼS a dh’fhàgas e an dùthaich.
Mionam air a’ ghille bheag, Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh? Bidh siùil ri crainn àrda, ʼS mo ghràdh-sa ga stiùireadh.
Mionam air a’ ghille bheag, Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh? Nach mis’ a bhitheas bòstail, Nuair sheòlas e an iùbhrach. ʼS e iùbhrach seòrsa de bhàta.
Mionam air a’ ghille bheag, Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh? Nuair ruigeas e na h-Innsean, Thig sìoda gam ionnsaigh.
Mionam air a’ ghille bheag, Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh? Cuin a bheir e còt’ agus cleòc às a’ bhùth dhomh?
