Verse

Ind ráith di éis cach ríg iar n-óir…

Ind ráith di éis
cach ríg iar n-óir,
ocus int tslóig,
foait i n-úir.

(the * fortress * after
each * king * in turn
and * the * crowd
they-sleep * in * earth)

The royal residence stands
after every king in turn,
and as for that lot,
they lie in the ground.

Ach ach as tind ar toirrthimm...

Ach ach as tind ar toirrthimm,
choimthind lind clach is cerchaill.

oh * oh * is * sore * our * sleep
equally sore * to us * stone * and * pillow

Sleep comes hard to me,
the pillow might as well be rock.

Atá in spideog derg uli...

Atá in spideog derg uli, a Domnaill, ocus atusa am oenur.

is * the * robin * red * all * o * Domhnall * and * I am * in my * oneness

The robin is all red, Donald, and I am all alone.

Fo chen aí...

Fochen aí,
ilchrothach,
ilgnúisech,
ilbrechtach,
bé shóer shonaisc.

(welcome * poetic art
many-shaped
many-faced
many-hued
lady * noble * well-linked)

Welcome, poetry,
multiform,
multifaceted,
multihued,
noble, well-linked lady.

Nirbat dergnat chuirmthigi...

Nirbat dergnat chuirmthigi
nir·fhácba do chlothaige;
nirbat muichnech i n-úathad
nirbat búaibnech sochaide.

(you should not be * flea * of ale house
you should not leave * your * fame
you should not be * melancholy * in * solitude
you should not be * boastful (one) * of crowd)

You should not be an ale-house flea.
You should not give up your reputation.
You should not mope in solitude.
You should not boast in a crowd.

adba rón

(abode * of seals)

the abode of seals = the sea

Dia dá mhaoin is mairg do·ní.

(god * of his * wealth * is * woeful * makes)

Woe to him who makes a god of his wealth.

Is é tadall ségainne...

Is é tadall ségainne
áit i fera céilide,
dotháet i tech, snaidid crann,
gaibid rann co éimige.

(is * it * visit * of * skill
place * in [which] * pours forth * social visiting
he comes * into * house * carves * wood
sings * quatrain * with * opportuneness)

It’s a skilfull visit
to a social gathering:
he comes inside, whittles a stick,
and sings an appropriate rhyme.

Ná h-abair-se bréithir móir...

Ná h-abair-se bréithir móir
ná h-abair nach tibre chóir,
ór is nár a rádh co tenn
muna fedtar a comall.

(not * say [emphatic] * words * great
not * say * which-not * you might give * rightly
for * is * shame * its * saying * with * force
if not * is possible* its * fulfillment)

Don’t make grand statements
and don’t promise what you can’t rightly give,
for it is shameful to boast of things
that you cannot deliver.

Corbat cara sluaig ...

Corbat cara sluaig,
Corbat roga ríg,
Corbat cruithnecht chaem,
Corbat craebh co fín.

(may you be * friend * of multitude
may you be * choice * of king(s)
may you be * wheat * lovely
may you be * branch * with * wine)

May you be the friend of many.
May you be the choice of kings.
May you be the beautiful wheat.
May you be the branch that yields wine.