'Oiche Nollag in Eireann'
The poem is an evocation of an old Irish custom in which each household would leave a lighted candle in their window on Christmas night.
There was a pious belief that Joseph and Mary and the Child still wandered the roads of the world, looking for a place to rest from the persecution of Herod.
That they should show a preference for the roads of rural Ireland was accepted as a given.
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le Caoimhghín Ó Brolcháin 1. Scuab an t-urlár agus glan an teallach, 's coimead na grísaigh beo, Ar eagla go dtiocfhaidh siad anocht, Agus an domhan 'na chodladh go suan! |
Traditional Brush the floor and clean the hearth, And set the fire to keep, For they might visit us tonight When all the world's asleep! |
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2. Ná múch an coinneal ard bán, Ach fág é lásta go geal . Go mbeidh siad cinnte ar aon go bhfuil fáilte is fiche roimh cách Sa teach ar an Oiche Nollag naofa seo! |
Don't blow the tall white candle out But leave it burning bright, So that they'll know they're welcome here This holy Christmas night! |
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3. Léig amach ar an mbord, arán is feoil, Agus braonín bainne don leanbh. Agus beidh beannacht ar an dtine Agus ar an té a bhruith an t-arán Agus ar an lamh a dhéin an t-obair dian. |
Leave out the bread and meat for them, And sweet milk for the Child, And they will bless the fire, that baked And, too, the hands that toiled. |
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4. Beidh Naomh Iósaef túirseach, Tar éis an turas fada. Agus aghaidh Mhuire fann, bánghnéitheach Agus beidh néal codlata aca. Sar a n-imthígheann siad arís. |
For Joseph will be travel-tired, And Mary pale and wan, And they can sleep a little while Before they journey on. |
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5. Beidh túirse na mbóthar fada ortha Agus seans aca a scíth a ligint, Ó's iomai an míle fada uaigneach Atá roimh an dtriur aca Uaidh seo go dtí Beithil. |
They will be weary of the roads, And rest will comfort them, For it must be many a lonely mile From here to Bethlehem. |
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6. Ó is fada an bóthar 'tá le taisteal aca, Agus é idir garbh is mín Agus Cnoch Chalvaire mar ceann scríbe aca, Agus chroise adhmad indan. |
O long the road they have to go, The bad mile with the good, Till the journey ends on Calvary Beneath a cross of wood. |
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7. Ná cur ar an ndoras ach an laiste anocht! Agus coimead na gríosaigh beó - Agus guí go mbeidh siad fén ar ndíon anocht Agus an domhan 'na chodladh go suan. |
Leave the door upon the latch, And set the fire to keep, And pray they'll rest with us tonight When all the world's asleep. |