Harpgirl,

Here are both the Irish and English translation. You will note that it does not translate well for English singing, other than the one verse that is translated. It is quite a funny song in Irish.

By the way, your thanks should go to Maelgwyn. He provided the translation in an earlier thread.

All the best,

Mick

NIL NA LA (Solas Version)

Ta na caorigh ag ithe an gheamhair
Ta an gamhna ag ol an bhainne
Pratai sios gan diolachan
'S duine gan mheabhair
Na raghta abhaile

Is deas an bhean i Siobhan og
Guna nua uirthi anios on siopa
Is breathnaim ar mo ghini oir
'S i a' rince ar an mbord
Leis an phoc ar buile

Curfa: Nil 'na la, ta na la
Nil 'na la, ta ar maidin
Nil 'na la, ta 'na la
Is bean a ra, is i ar fhaga

(Then there's a verse in English:)
Dont send me out into the dark
The night is cold and I'll be perished
But come to bed with me awhile
We'll have a roll around the blankets

Buailim suas, buailim sios
'S buailim cleamhan ar bhean a leanna
Cuirim gini oir ar an mbord
Is bim ag ol anseo go maidin

Ta mo bhroga i dtigh an oil
Ta mo stocai i dtigh a' leanna
Ta na coiligh go leir ag glaoch
'S b'eigean domsa 'dhul abhaile

Translation:

DAYBREAK HAS NOT YET COME

The sheep are eating the corn
The calves are drinking the milk
The potatoes are unsold
You senseless man
Will you not go home!

Siobhan is a fine young girl
In her new dress down from the shop
I gaze at my golden guinea
Spinning on the table
And my temper rises

Chorus: Daybreak has not yet come - but now it's here
Daybreak has not yet come - but now it's morning
Daybreak has not yet come - but now it's with us
She has spoken and I must leave here

Dont send me out into the dark
The night is cold and I'll be perished
But come to bed with me awhile
We'll have a roll around the blankets

Oh I go up and I go down
I try my luck with the tavern lady
I throw a guinea on the table
And drink my fill until the morning

I left my shoes in the house of ale
I left my stockings there as well
The cocks have all begun to crow
And I am forced to leave for home

It says in the notes that this is the Munster version of the song.