The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #601   Message #2769587
Posted By: Jim Dixon
19-Nov-09 - 11:16 PM
Thread Name: Lyr/Chords Req: Dream Angus
Subject: Lyr Add: NAM BU LEAM FHÌN THU THÀLAIDHINN THU
The above link to "George Seto's web site" is now dead, but I think this must be the song that was there. I think it's the older traditional lullaby whose tune was used for DREAM ANGUS.

From "The Songs of the Gael" by Henry Whyte ("Fionn") in The Old Highlands: Being Papers Read before the Gaelic Society of Glasgow 1895-1906 (Glasgow: Archibald Sinclair, 1908), page 343, where it appears with musical notation for one voice:

The following Tàladh or croon is said to have been sung by a kind-hearted fairy who, calling at a house, found a child lying in its cradle, its mother having apparently deserted it. The Gaelic words are a little irregular in measure, but a little acquaintance with the melody will enable one to sing them. The translation is a somewhat free one, but gives a good idea of the rhythm of the melody:—


TALADH.

1. Nam bu leam fhìn thu thàlaidhinn thu,
Nam bu leam fhìn thu thalaidhinn thu,
Nam bu leam fhìn thu
Dheanainn do bhrìodal,
A thasgaidh mo chrìdh' gu'n tàlaidhinn thu.

CHORUS: Thàladhainn thu, gu'n tàladhainn thu,
Thàladhainn thu, gu'n tàladhainn thu,
Dean cadal mo leanabh,
'S mo ghaol agad cheana,
A chagair mo chrìdh', gu'n tàlaidhinn thu.

2. Chunnaic mi seachad mu'n taca so 'n dé
Duine mór foghainteach, làidir, treun,
Le 'bhogha 's le shaighead,
Le 'sgaith is le chlaidheamh;
'S mòr m' eagal gu'n tachair do mhàthair ris.


TALADH.
(A Fairy Croon)

1. Wert thou mine own I'd fondle thee,
Wert thou mine own I'd fondle thee,
Wert thou my ain dearie,
Nae ill would come near thee,
My heart's dearest treasure, I'd fondle thee.

CHORUS: Fondle thee, yes, fondle thee,
Fondle thee, yes, fondle thee,
O sleep noo my lammie,
Ne'er fash for your mammie,
My bonnie wee lammie, I'll fondle thee.

2. Yestre'en at the gloamin', as I heard say,
A bonnie braw gallant gaed by this way,
Wi' bow and wi' arrow,
Wi' sword keen and narrow;
I'm feared that your minnie's wi' him away.