Celtic Lullaby (1898)
James Bernard Dollard, composed in Toronto, Ontario
The refrain of this song is a reference to the famous 18th century ‘aisling’ or vision poem “Táimse i mo Chodladh.” In that poem, the poet sees visions of a free Ireland and repeats “tá mé i mo chodladh ‘s ná dhúisigh mé” (I am asleep and don’t awaken me). Here, the phrase is used as the refrain in a lullaby.
A linbh bán dheas, my bright-haired child,
Sleep, sweetly sleep, oh, the white lamb mild
Ever your red lips seeming to say,
Tá mé i mo chodladh ‘s ná dhúisigh mé [I am asleep and don’t awaken me]
Out on the moorland ‘tis darksome night,
Pale burns the Jack o’ lantern light,
The sound of the wild sí gaoithe [Faerie wind] I hear,
Angels of God, guard well my dear…
…Mo chuisle a stóirín [my pulse my treasure], oh, sweetly sleep,
Like Banshee wailing the night-blasts sweep,
Your red lips kissing, they seem to say,
Tá mé i mo chodladh ‘s ná dhúisigh mé [I am asleep and don’t awaken me]
Adapted from: Dollard, James. 1898. “Celtic Lullaby.” The Shan Van Vocht. V.III. N.11, Nov 7.
For citation, please use: Dollard, James. 1898. “Celtic Lullaby.” Ó Dubhghaill, Dónall. 2024. Na Gaeil san Áit Ró-Fhuar. Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir: www.gaeilge.ca
