Little by Little Beag air Bheag
Sàmhach an Oidhch'
This is a lovely Scottish Gaelic translation of Silent Night which SIAN have picked to celebrate Christmas. This is Sàmhach an Oidhch' and this version is sung by SIAN. Watch the video then learn the song line-by-line. This video was originally filmed for LearnGaelic’s popular social media strand ‘Learn a Gaelic song’ and the format is slightly different.
You will learn the first verse with Ellen MacDonald. You already know the tune, so we will just learn each line with Ellen.
Please note that we have not used a transliteral translation for this traditional song.
The first line is:
Sàmhach an oidhch’ Naomh an oidhch’
Still the night, Holy the night,
Sing along with Ellen!
Sàmhach an oidhch’ Naomh an oidhch’
Still the night, Holy the night,
The second line is:
Saoghal na chadal a-mach bho ar soills’
Sleeps the world, hid from sight,
Sing along with Ellen!
Saoghal na chadal a-mach bho ar soills’
Sleeps the world, hid from sight,
The third line is:
Moire is Iòseph an stàball fàs
Mary and Joseph in stable bare,
You know the tune! Sing along.
Moire is Iòseph an stàball fàs
Mary and Joseph in stable bare,
The fourth line is:
Faire os cionn an Leinibh le gràdh,
Watch o'er the child, beloved and fair,
Let's sing!
Faire os cionn an Leinibh le gràdh,
Watch o'er the child, beloved and fair,
The fifth line is:
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Get into the Christmas spirit with Ellen!
Sleep in heavenly peace,
The sixth line is:
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sing out loud!
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Are you feeling confident? Let’s put all the lines together and start to work on the complete first verse.
Sàmhach an oidhch’ Naomh an oidhch’
Saoghal na chadal a-mach bho ar soills’
Moire is Iòseph an stàball fàs
Faire os cionn an Leinibh le gràdh,
Cadal gu nèamhaidh sèimh,
Cadal gu nèamhaidh sèimh.
Still the night, Holy the night,
Sleeps the world, hid from sight,
Mary and Joseph in stable bare,
Watch o'er the child, beloved and fair,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.