This song is about a woman being held captive by fairies to raise their babies. She is lulling a fairy baby near the fairy fort that's close to a stream, and singing this song to a lady who's down near the stream. She gives the lady instructions to get to her husband who must come and save her before time runs out the next day when she'll be stuck forever in the fairy fort. Every other line she sings to lull the baby to sleep so the fairies won't notice what she is doing.

A Bhean Úd Thíos  - Irish Children's Songs - Ireland - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World  - Intro Image

Notes

*The candle is blessed for protection and the black-handled knife is the only weapon that will work against fairies. Striking the 1st horse out of the gap with the knife is referring to fairies horse. He must strike the 1st horse that comes out of the fort. Doing this will free his wife. By taking the herbs he will prevent the fairies from re-taking her.

Comments

This song is probably from the 1500's.

This is the original song. An English version is called Fairy Lullaby.

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The 1st verse and chorus are sung in the video below…
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Sheet Music

Sheet Music - A Bhean Úd Thíos

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Painting: Landscape by Ernst Haeckel.