Arrane oie vie
This lullaby was collected and translated by Arthur W. Moore in 1896.
Arrane oie vie
Goodnight Song
Lullaby
Lullaby
(Manx)
(English)
My guillyn vie, te traa gholl thie;
Ta'n stoyll ta foym greinnagh me roym;
Te signal dooin dy ghleasagh;
Te tayrn dys tra ny liabbagh.
My guillyn vie, te traa gholl thie;
Ta'n dooid cheet er y chiollagh ;*
Te geginagh shin dy gholl dy lhie;
Te bunnys traa dy graa oie vie.
My good boys, it's time to go home;
The stool that's under me urges me to be off;
It signals us to move off;
It draws to time of going to bed.
My good boys, it's time to go home;
The darkness comes upon the hearth;*
It forces us to go to bed;
It's nearly time to say good night.
Notes
*or "Ta'n smarage gaase doo 'sy chiollagh" (The cinder grows black on the hearth).
You can hear the song sung here and in the videos below.
Comments
According to the article, "Good-Night and Parting Songs: In Relation to the Night Visit and the 'Aubade' or Dawn Song; With Manx Examples" by A. G. Gilchrist, published in "Journal of the Folk-Song Society" Vol. 7, No. 28, Manx Collection, Part I (Dec., 1924):
"The Manx 'Arrane oie vie' ('Goodnight Song') was the last song sung at the end of a protracted bout of carol-singing in the churches on the 'Oie'll Voirrey' or Mary's Eve (i.e. Christmas Eve), which generally ended for most of the company with a visit to the nearest tavern and the drinking of hot spiced ale, after which the revellers sang 'Goodnight Song' and went home to bed."
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