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Arrane Ben Drogh Hraghtalagh (A Smuggler's Wife's Song)

from Suantraighe, A Collection of Celtic Lullabies by Caera

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about

A fan in Ohio asked me to look into this song when she heard I was working on an album of Celtic lullabies. She pointed me to Jill Rogoff’s recording of it, on the CD “Celtic Cradle”. In the liner notes of the CD, Jill says this song is from the perspective of a Manx mother who sees English men coming towards her home and pretends to be singing her child to sleep when she’s really warning her husband in their native language.

I contacted Jill about it and she sent me the lyrics. It is a traditional Manx lullaby, and again when I consulted with Alexei for help with the pronunciation and translation, I got a bit more of the song as well.

lyrics

Jeeagh quoi to cheet! T’an Ferny Keeshyn
(Chaddil oo my Laala!)
Shirraghey son ushteybio ny feeyney.
(Chaddil oo my Laala!)

(chorus)
Oghene, lhiannoo meein,
(Chaddil oo my Laala!)

Hig yn Fer thie ‘sy thie anmagh...
As cha bee noiraanaght echey...

Cuin vees ny Sostynee cheet orrin...
Cha vow ad rederbee meereiltagh...

Lhig daue shirr ayns thie ny baatey...
Beggan aynjee nish agh sceddan!

Translation:
The Smuggler’s Wife's Song

See the excise men coming
(Sleep my little baby)
They’ll be seeking wine and whiskey
(Sleep my little baby)

Chorus:
Oh, my dear child
Sleep my little baby

Daddy’s late and we must warn him
This time he’ll have nothing illegal

The Englishmen may board us
They’ll find nothing wrong

Let them search the houseboat
There’s little in there now but herrings.

credits

from Suantraighe, A Collection of Celtic Lullabies, released November 1, 2006
Traditional Manx song

Again, many thanks to Alexei Kondratiev for help with pronunciation and translation.

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Caera Seattle, Washington

From haunting Celtic lullabies, through laments of intense grief and pain, to songs of healing and hope, Caera’s music always contains an authenticity that can be hard to find in today’s music, or even in today’s world in general. Powerful soprano vocals blend with the bell-like tones of her brass-strung Gaelic harp to create music that carries people through life, dreaming or fully awake. ... more

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