Leanabh an àigh
There is a well-known English version of Leanabh an àigh called Child in the Manger.
Leanabh an àigh
Child of Joy
Christmas Carol
Christmas Carol
(Scottish Gaelic)
(English)
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.
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.
Notes
Mary M. Macdonald (1789–1872) wrote this hymn to a traditional melody.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translation by Lisa Yannucci.
Photo of Nativity Painting in the Church of Saint Louis of the French by Charles Mellin (nicknamed Carlo Lorenese "Charles the Lorrainer"), Rome, Italy, taken by Monique Palomares.
