Monday, December 31, 2012

Dán Nollag – Christmas Poem


Ó tharla go bhfuileamar anois idir an dá Nollag, ní miste go soláthrófaí inniu ábhar atá tráthúil go maith. Is iomadh amhrán, dán, agus agallamh beirte a chum an file Maitiú Ó Maoláin (1912-1969) – tugtar Meait Pheaits Rua nó Meait Neainín air freisin – as Eoghanacht, Árainn. Ina measc, tá an dán beag seo, ag guí beannachtaí na féile ar an éisteoir.

For this holiday season, we turn to the work of Maitiú Ó Maoláin (1912-1969) of Eoghanacht, Árainn, who composed many songs, poems, and dialogues. Among them is this short seasonal poem.

Dán Nollag
Tí Mheait Neainín ar an Leic Mhór, Eoghanacht, Árainn c.1950í.
Féach an dá fhuinneog thuas staighre ag breathnú soir.
Pic. Bailiúchán Béaloideas Árann.

I stábla i mBeithil
Mainséar sínte
Bhí leanbh aoibhinn
Cuachta in eadaí bána
Gan teas gan dídean
Ó fhuacht na hoíche ann
Ach anáil caora,
Asal ‘s dámh

Rí na Ríthe
‘Bhí sa mainséar sínte
Muire na hóighe
B’í a mháthair
Beannacht na díse
Ar do theach agus daoine
Nollaig aoibhinn agat
Séan ‘s áthas.

Amen.


Christmas Poem

In a stable in Bethlehem
Lying in a manger
There was a beautiful babe
Bound in white clothes
There without heat without shelter
From the cold of the night
Except for the breathe of a sheep,
An ass and an ox.

It was the King of Kings
That lay in the manger
The Virgin Mary
She was his mother
The blessings of the pair
On your house and people
A delightful Christmas to you
Happiness and joy.

Amen.