Ailein Duinn

Gura mise tha fo éislean

Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'éirigh

Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat

Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì

Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho

Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat

Ma 's'en cluasag dhuit a ghaineamh

Ma 'se leabaidh dhut an gheamainn

Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat

Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì

Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho

Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat

Ma 's en t-iasg do choinlean geala

Ma 's na righ do luchd-faire

Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat

Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì

Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho

Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat

Translation

How sorrowful I am

Early in the morning rising

Chorus (after each verse): Ò hì, I would go with thee

Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì

Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho

Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with thee

If it is thy pillow the sand

If it is thy bed the seaweed

If it is the fish thy candles bright

If it is the seals thy watchmen

I would drink, though all would abhor it

Of thy heart's blood after thy drowning