An Coineachan
The Gaelic version of this song is known as "An Coineachan" and the English version is called "Highland Fairy Lullaby".
"This lullaby first appeared in the Duanaire, edited by D. C. Macpherson (1864). It is supposed to be sung by a disconsolate mother whose babe has been stolen by the fairies. In each verse she mentions some impossible task she has performed, but she still has not found her baby. Coineachan is a term of endearment applied to child." -Fionn (Celtic Monthly, 1893)
An Coineachan
Highland Fairy Lullaby
Lullaby
Lullaby
(Scottish Gaelic)
(English)
(Sèist)
Hó-bhan, hó-bhan, Goiridh òg O,
Goiridh òg O, Goiridh òg O;
Hó-bhan, hó-bhan, Goiridh òg O,
Gu'n dh'fhalbh mo ghaoil 's gu'n dh'fhàg e mi.
Dh'fhàg mi 'n so 'na shìneadh e,
'Na shìneadh e, 'na shìneadh e;
Gu'n d'fhàg mi 'n so 'na shìneadh e
'Nuair dh'fhalbh mi 'bhuain nam braoilegan.
(Sèist)
Fhuair mi lorg an dóbhrain duinn,
An dóbhrain duinn, an dóbhrain duinn,
Gu'n d'fhuair mi lorg an dóbhrain duinn;
'S cha d' fhuair mi lorg mo chóineachain!
(Sèist)
Fhuair mi lorg na h-eal' air an t-snàmh,
Na h-eal' air an t-snàmh, 'na h-eal' air an t-snàmh
Gu'n d'fhuair mi lorg na h-eal' air an t-snàmh;
'S cha d'fhuair mi lorg mo chóineachain!
(Sèist)
Fhuair mi lorg an laoigh bhric dheirg,
An laoigh bhric dheirg, an laoigh bhric dheirg;
Gu'n d 'fhuair mi lorg an laoigh bhric dheirg,
'S cha d'fhuair mi lorg mo chóineachain!
(Sèist)
Fhuair mi lorg a' cheò 'sa 'bheinn,
A' cheò 'sa bheinn, a' cheò 'sa bheinn;
'S ged' fhuair mi lorg a' cheò 'sa bheinn;
Cha d'fhuair mi lorg mo chóineachain.
(Sèist)
(Chorus)
Ho-van, ho-van, Gorry og O,
Gorry og O, Gorry og O,
Ho-van, ho-van, Gorry og O,
I've lost my darling baby, O!
I left my darling lying here,
A-lying here, a-lying here;
I left my darling lying here,
To go and gather blaeberries.
(Chorus)
I've found the wee brown otter's track,
The otter's track, the otter's track;
I've found the wee brown otter's track,
But ne'er a trace of baby, O!
(Chorus)
I found the track of the swan on the lake,
The swan on the lake, the swan on the lake;
I found the track of the swan on the lake,
But not the track of baby, O!
(Chorus)
I found the track of the yellow fawn
The yellow fawn, the yellow fawn;
I found the track of the yellow fawn,
But could not trace my baby, O!
(Chorus)
I've found the trail of the mountain mist,
The mountain mist, the mountain mist;
I've found the trail of the mountain mist,
But ne'er a trace of baby, O!
(Chorus)
Notes
Loose Translation of the Chorus:
Oh lady, oh lady, the young Godfrey,
The young Godfrey, the young Godfrey,
Oh lady, oh lady, the young Godfrey,
I've lost my darling baby!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by L. MacBean, author of "Songs of the Highlands".
