Reul Alainn A' Chuain

Reul Alainn A' Chuain

late 1800s

frances.wilkins

Gaelic

Words

403

Sweet Star of the Sea

22/08/2024

TEXT

325

A Mhaighdean as gile, A Mhoire mhìn Mhàthair Nad chomsa na aonar Bha’n Slànair a’ tàmh; Tha’n oidhche, a Mhoire, Air tuiteam mun cuairt Nach nochd thu do shoillse, Reul àlainn a’ chuain? Reul àlainn a’ chuain, Reul àlainn a’ chuain, Nach nochd thu do shoillse, Reul àlainn a’ chuain? Tha ’n oidhche le neulaibh A’ còmhdach an t-saoghail, Tha bratach an dorchadais Sgaoite’ anns a’ ghaoith, Tha ’n Eaglais ga baireadh ’S tha sùil coimhead suas – Nach nochd thu do shoillse, Reul àlainn a’ chuain? Reul àlainn a’ chuain, Reul àlainn a’ chuain, Nach nochd thu do shoillse, Reul àlainn a’ chuain? Bu lèir do mhac Dè d’anam Geal ’s e gun bheud, ’S nach tàinig am peacadh Na chòir ghabhail seilbh; Cha d’bhuin e bho thùs Ach don Tighearna ’s uaisl’, Is choisrig e d’shoillse, Reul àlainn a’ chuain. Reul àlainn a’ chuain, Reul àlainn a’ chuain, Nach nochd thu do shoillse, Reul àlainn a’ chuain? An talamh cha tug Ach aon fhasgadh do Dhia, Am fasgadh sin cridh’ Na h-Oigh’ beannaichte, fial; Bha fàrdach Mhic Dhè Agus fasgadh nan truagh An soillse do chrìdh’-sa, Reul àlainn a’ chuain.

O purest of creatures, Sweet Mary, O mother, In your womb the saviour alone resided The night, o Mary, Has fallen around us Will you not show your brightness, Sweet star of the sea? Sweet star of the sea, Sweet star of the sea, Will you not show your brightness, Sweet star of the sea? The night with clouds Covers the world The flag of darkness Is spread in the wind The church is being tried/tempted and her eye is looking upwards Won’t you show your brightness, Sweet star of the sea? Sweet star of the sea, Sweet star of the sea, Will you not show your brightness, Sweet star of the sea? The son of God saw Your pure innocent/harmless soul And sin did not come near it/your soul to take possession [of it] Your soul did not belong from the beginning except to the most noble Lord. And he consecrated your light/brightness, Sweet star of the sea. Sweet star of the sea, Sweet star of the sea, Will you not show your brightness, Sweet star of the sea? The earth only gave One shelter to God. That shelter was the heart Of the blessed, bountiful virgin The dwelling of the son of God And a shelter of the pitiful ones In the brightness of your heart, Sweet star of the sea. Translated by Frances Wilkins with Father Ross Crichton