An Diugh
An Diugh means ‘today’ in Scottish Gaelic. Some say the writing is in the sand for the language.
Gaels speak of their unique language and culture. But the Hebrides are also populated by many ‘white settlers’. These incomers have been attracted by jobs, cheap property, low crime, fresh air, the surf, empty beaches, or to just escape. To these new locals, Gaelic culture is as valid as any other and can sometimes be exclusive.
Trying to make Gaelic appealing in a modern context is an industry in its own right. This picture was taken for Proiseact nan Ealan, (The National Gaelic Arts Agency) to draw people’s attention to the perilous state of the language.
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January 4, 2009 at 5:04 pm
danmihalache
A mhuirnín ó an dtiocfaidh tú na bhaile
A mhuirnín ó an dtiocfaidh tú liom
A mhuirnín ó an dtiocfaidh tú na bhaile
A mhuirnín ó
(Repeat)
Bhí sé thíos i lár a’ mhargaidh
Dól sé ’s cheol sé ar rith an lae
Nuair a tháinig an oíche gan pingin ina bhríste
Is mairg nár ghlac mé comhairle na mná
Casadh orm é le heiri na gréine
An ógánach gleoite go folláin ’s go beo
Nuair a thóg sé a hata agus labhair sé le gáire
Thit mé i ngra leis, chreid mé go deo
Bhí cnaipí airgid ar mo chóta
Is ribní síoda a bhfearr sa tír
Slabhraí óir is clocha luachmhar
Mheall mé le saibhreas é go fíor
Ní rabhas ag a nduine cé’n pháirt dén tír é
Labhair sé go uasal soinneanta só
Bhí ‘n tiombá thart go raibh tiarna ina theaghlach
Ní raibh sé i bhfad bhí mé geallta do
Tá’n ceangal fada ’s deacar a scaoileadh
Bhfearr i bhfad a bheith cinnte do
Níor ghlac sé i bhfad gur bhris sé mo chroí sa
A leoga ní seo mo scéilín ó
A ‘gur shiúl sé síos i lár a mhargaidh
‘S cheannaigh sé carda ar phunt nó dhó
Bhí an tádh ina rith leis, bhain sé an “lotto”
Anois bhéidh an chuideachta againn go deo
Translation
My darling love, will you come back home?
My darling love, will you come with me?
My darling love, will you come back home?
My darling love
He was down at the market
He drank and sang all day long
When night came and he hadn’t a penny in his pocket
Oh what a shame I didn’t take the missus’ advice
I met him at sunrise
A charming, healthy and lively young lad
When he lifted his hat and spoke with a smile
I fell in love with him, thought it would never end
My coat had buttons of silver
And the best silk ribbons in the country
Golden chains and precious stones
I truly enticed him with my glitter and gold
No one knew from which part of the land he came
He spoke nobly and with pleasant ease
Rumor had it that there was a lord in his family
It wasn’t long ’til I was engaged to him
The bond is long and difficult to untie
It’s much better to be sure of it*
It didn’t take long ’til he broke my heart
Indeed this is not the story I’d prefer to be telling**
But then he went back down to the market
And bought a ticket for a pound or two
Luck was on his side, he won the lottery
Now we’ll forever be living the good life.
Oh, don’t think I know Gaelic, I’d like to.
there are lyrics from Clannad.
On the other hand, I think they are Irish.
Best Regards,
Dan