Lyrics: |
English Translation: |
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Sèist: |
Chorus (after each verse): |
Ged a shẹl mi air m' aineol |
Although I sailed to foreign countries |
Cha laigh smalan air mi' inntinn |
Sadness did not linger in my mind |
Ged a shẹl mi air m' aineol |
Although I sailed to foreign countries |
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'S ann à Boston a shẹl sinn |
We sailed from Boston |
Dol air bhoidse chun na h-̀nnsinn |
On a voyage to the Indies |
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Rinn sinn c̣rdadh ri captain |
We came to an agreement with a skipper |
Air a' bhàrc a bha ŕomhach |
Of a handsome ship |
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Tŕ latha roimh na Nollaig |
Three days before Christmas |
Thàinig oirnn an droch sh́de |
Bad weather descended upon us |
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Shèid i cruaidh oirnn le frasan |
The wind blew strongly with rain |
'S clachan mheallain a bha millteach |
And stinging hailstones |
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Cha robh ṛpa 's cha robh ̣irleach |
When the inch-thick ropes froze |
Nuair a reoth ann nach robh tŕ ann |
They became three inches in girth |
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Chaill sinn craiceann ar làmhan |
We lost the skin of our hands |
Bha ar gàirdeanan sǵth dheth |
And our arms were tired of the struggle |
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Cha c̣ignear nan seasamh |
Five of the crewmembers were standing |
'S bha seachdnar nan śneadh |
And seven were prone |
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Tŕ latha is tŕ oidhche |
I spent three days and three nights |
'S mi ri chuibhle ri droch sh́de |
At the wheel during the storm |
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Nuair a labhair an captain |
That is when the skipper said |
"Illean tapaidh na d́obraibh |
"Do not yield, stout-hearted lads |
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Nuair a ruigeas sibh cala |
When you reach port |
Bidh ur drama dhuibh cinnteach" |
Your dram will be certain" |
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Tha lionn-diubh aig mo mhàthair |
My mother is dejected |
Is dùil aic' nach till mi |
Because she does not expect me to return |