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Oíche Nollag Máire Mhac an tSaoi |
An Crann Faoi Bláth / The Flowering Tree: Contemporary Irish Poetry w/ Verse Translations edited by Declan Kiberd & Gabriel Fitzmaurice Dublin: Wolfhound Press, 1991 |
| Christmas Eve - translation by Gabriel Fitzmaurice |
Le coinnle na n-aingeal tá an spéir amuigh beachta,
Tá fíacail an tseaca sa ghaoith ón gcnoc,
Adaigh an tine is téir chun leapan,
Luífidh Mac Dé ins an tigh seo anocht.
Fágaidh an doras ar leathadh ina coinne,
An mhaighdean a thiocfaidh is a naí ar a hucht,
Deonaigh do shuaimhneas a ligint, a Mhuire,
Luíodh Mac Dé ins an tigh seo anocht.
Bhí soílse ar lasadh i dtigh sin na haíochta,
Cóiriú gan caoile, bia agus deoch,
Do cheannaithe olla, do cheannaithe síoda,
Ach luífidh Mac Dé ins an tigh seo anocht.
Leave all the doors wide open before her,
The Virgin who comes with the child on her breast;
Grant that you'll stop here tonight, Holy Mary,
That Jesus tonight in this household may rest.
The lights were all lighting in that little hostel,
There were generous servings of victuals and wine
For merchants of silk, for merchants of woollens,
But Jesus will lie in this household tonight.
