Dear Alice,

These are the lyrics in Scots Gaeilge, English translation and song notes from the CD ‘Celtic Christmas - Traditional Winter Songs from Celtic Lands’ distributed by Past Times.

Tàladh Chriosda (Christ Child’s Lullaby) - Scotland (Isle of Barra)

Also known as Tàladh ar Slànair, this humn is sung at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in the islands of Barra, South Uist and Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. The words were written by Father Ranald Rankin, and given by him to the children of his congregation in Moidart, when he left for Australia in 1855. The original song has 29 verses, and as with many old Gaelic songs, several variants of the tune exist.

Mo ghaol, mo ghràdh is m’eudail thu
M’iunntas ùr is m’èibhneas thu
Mo mhacan àluinn, ceutach thu
Chan fhiù mi fhèin bhi ‘d dhàil
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Mo ghaol an t-sùil a sheallas tlàth
Mo ghaol an cridh’ tha liont’ le gràdh
Ged is leanabh thu gun chàil
Is lìonmhor buaidh tha ort a’ fàs

‘S tusa grian gheal an dòchais
Chuireas dorchadas air fògairt
Bheir thu clann-daoin bho staid bhrònaich
Gu naomhachd, soilleireachd is eòlas


Translation:
My love, my dear, my darling
My new treasure, you are my joy
You are my beautiful, fair son
I am unworthy to be near you
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

My darling of the gentle eyes
My darling whose heart is filled with love
Though you are but a helpless baby
Great victories will be yours

You are the white sun of hope
Who will banish darkness from us
You well redeem Mankind from sorrow
To sanctity, light and knowledge