This is a very well known song, and is usually sung at the end of
Traditional ceilidhs. We even had a rendition of it last weekend in London
At the ceilidh there! it is called Oidhche mhath leibh, which translates
To «Goodnight to you»
Although the song loses a lot in translation, the English words are
Stirring nonetheless.
Seist/Chorus
Soraidh leibh is oidhche mhath leibh,
Oidhche mhath leibh ‘s beannachd leibh;
Guidheim slainte ghnath bhith mar ribh,
Oidhche mhath leibh ‘s beannachd leibh.
Translation:
Farewell and goodnight to you,
Goodnight and blessings upon you;
Let me wish health always to be with you,
Goodnight to you and blessings upon you.
Rann/Verse
Chan eil inneal ciuil a ghleusar
Dhuisgeas smuain mo chleibh gu aoibh
Mar ni duan o bheoil nan caileag,
Oidhche mhath leibh ‘s beannachd leibh.
Translation:
There is not a musical instrument that is played
Which awakens the thoughts of my heart to joy
As does a song from the lips of the lassies,
Goodnight and blessings upon you.
There’s another 5 verses, but I don’t have translations for them !
Craig