The Gartan Mother's Lullaby
lyrics by Seosamh MacCathmhaoil (Joseph Campbell)
(lyrics modified slightly below by me - this is the way I sing it.)

Sleep O babe, while the red bee hums the evening twilight's fall,
Aoibheall from the grey rock comes, to wrap the world in thrall.
A leanbhan O, my child, my joy, my love, my heart's desire,
The cricket sings his lullaby, beside the dying fire.

Dusk is drawn and the Green Man's thorn is wreathed in rings of fog,
Siabhra sails his boat till dawn, across the starry bog.
A leanbhan O, the paley moon hath rimmed her cusp in dew,
And weeps to hear the sad, sweet tune, I sing my love, to you.

Faintly sweet doth the chapel bell, ring o'er the valley dim,
Tearmann's peasant voices swell, in fragrant evening hymn.
A leanbhan O, the low bell rings, my little lamb to rest,
And angel-dreams till morning sings, its music in your breast.


Aoibheall - (EE-val) : the name of the queen of the northern fairies
leanbhan - (LYAN-van) : little child, baby
Tearmann - (CHAR-uh-muhn) : sanctuary, refuge; name of village near Lough Gartan
Siabra - (SHEE-vra) : a prankster of the fairies, also spelled Shefro or Siofra.

The lyrics convey a rather "Christian" message. The early verses paint the pagan tradition as dark and foreboding, while the final verse apparently makes everything serene and secure.

I usually use the Corries' melody and omit the final verse -- in fact, I've never heard anyone else sing it. The original words include "sad sleep-tune," "brimmed" instead of "rimmed," "crickets sing you" -- the other changes I've made are inconsequential.

I believe I use only two chords to play this song on the guitar; I'd appreciate it if others could provide their favorite chords for it.

Bramicus @aol.com