Gabhaim Molta Bride (I Praise Brigid)
This is a traditional Gaeilge song in honor of Brighid (St. Brigid) and so is perfect for singing on Lá Fhéile Bríde (Imbolc). The phonetics below were transcribed by Treasa Ní Chonchobhair based on Eithne Ní Uallacháín’s pronunciation in La Lugh’s “Brigid’s Kiss” (on the album of the same name; all mistakes in transcription belong to Treasa), which we have used in our video on Lá Fhéile Bríde:
Other versions of this song have been recorded by Áine Minogue, Cathie Ryan, Kate Chadbourne, and Aoife Ní Fhearraigh.
| Gaeilge (Irish) | Foghraíocht (Phonetics) | Béarla (English) | ||
| Gabhaim molta Bride Ionmhain í le hÉireann Ionmhain le gach tír í Molaimis go léir í |
Gow-am mull-ta Bree-jah On-wan ee leh hAir-inn On-wan leh gockh tcheer ee Mull-a-meesh guh lair ee |
I praise Brigid Beloved in Ireland Beloved in all countries Let us all praise her |
||
| Lóchrann geal na Laighneach ‘Soilsiú feadh na tire Ceann ar óghaibh Éireann Ceann na mban ar míne |
Lockh-ran gyal nah Lie-knock Soul-shoe yal nah tchee-ra Kyann err owe-iv Air-inn Kyann na mon err mien-ya |
The bright torch of Leinster Shining throughout the country The pride of Irish youth The pride of our gentle women |
||
| Tig an gheimhreadh dian dubh Gearradh lena ghéire Ach ar Lá ‘le Bríde Gar dúinn Earrach Éireann |
Tig uhn gear-uh jean doo Gyar-ah le-nah yeara Ockh err law leh Bree-jah Gar dywin Are-ockh Air-inn |
The house of winter is very dark Cutting with its sharpness But on Brigid’s Day Spring is near to Ireland |