Ushag veg ruy
"Ushag veg ruy" is one of the Manx names for robin. This lullaby was collected and translated by Arthur W. Moore in 1896. There are slightly different versions of the song.
Ushag veg ruy
Little Red Bird
Lullaby
Lullaby
(Manx)
(English)
(Cochiaull)
Ushag veg ruy ny moanee doo,
Ny moanee coo, ny moanee doo,
Ushag veg ruy ny moanee doo,
C'raad chaddil oo riyr 'syn oie ?
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y dress,
Er baare y dress, er baare y dress,
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y dress, !
As ugh! my cadley cha treih !
(Cochiaull)
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y crouw,
Er baare y crouw, er baare y crouw,
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y crouw,
As ugh! my cadley cha treih !
(Cochiaull)
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y thooane,
Er baare y thooane, er baare y thooane,
Chaddil mish riyr er baare y thooane,
As ugh! my cadley cha treih !
(Cochiaull)
Chaddil mish riyr eddyr daa guillag,
Eddyr daa guillag, eddyr daa guillag,
Chaddil mish riyr eddyr daa guillag,
Myr yinnagh yn oikan eddyr daa lhuishag,
As O! my cadley cha kiune!
(Chorus)
Little red bird of the black turf ground,
Of the black turf ground, of the black turf ground,
Little red bird of the black turf ground,
Where did you sleep last night?
I slept last night on the top of the briar,
On the top of the briar, on the top of the briar,
I slept last night on the top of the briar,
And oh! what a wretched sleep!
(Chorus)
I slept last night on the top of the bush,
On the top of the bush, on the top of the bush,
I slept last night on the top of the bush,
And oh! what a wretched sleep!
(Chorus)
I slept last night on the ridge of the roof,
On the ridge of the roof, on the ridge of the roof,
I slept last night on the ridge of the roof,
And oh! what a wretched sleep!
(Chorus)
I slept last night between two leaves,
Between two leaves, between two leaves,
I slept last night between two leaves,
As a babe 'twixt two blankets quite at ease,
And oh! what a peaceful sleep!
Notes
Here's another version with English translation from "Manx Notes and Queries: with an account of François Thurot and his naval engagement off the Isle of Man" by Charles Roeder, S. K. Broadbent & Company, 1904...
Ushag veg ruy ny moanee doo,
Cre'd chaddil oo riyr s'yn oie?
Nagh chaddil mish riyr er baare yn dress,
Tra va'n gheay sheidey gymmyrkey lesh.
Ushag veg ruy ny moanee doo,
Cre'd chaddil oo riyr s'yn ole?
Nagh chaddil mish riyr er baare y thooane,
Myr shinimey mac dooinney te'r chadley ayn roym.
Ushag veg my ny moanee doo,
Cre'd chaddil oo riyr s'yn oie?
Nagh chaddil mish riyr er baare y crouw,
Lesh fliaghey tuittym er dagh cheu.
English Translation:
Little red bird of the black peat ground
Where did you sleep last night?
Did I not sleep last night on the top of the briar
While the wind was blowing all around.
Little red bird of the black peat ground
Where did you sleep last night?
Did I not sleep last night on top of the wave…
Where many a man's son slept before me.
Little red bird of the black peat ground
Where did you sleep last night?
Did I not sleep last night on the top of the bush
With rain falling on every side.
*****
Alternate last verse found on the internet:
Chaddil mish riyr eddyr daa ghuillag
Eddyr daa ghuillag, eddyr daa ghuillag
Myr cadley yn oikan er keeagh y vummig
As O! my chadley cha kiune
Translation:
I slept last night between two leaves,
Between two leaves, between two leaves
As the baby sleeps on the breast of the mother
And oh! My sleep was good!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Thanks to Monique Palomares for sharing her photo of a robin!
