Gabhaim Molta Bride
This song is about St. Brigid's Day or Imbolc, a Gaelic festival which marks the beginning of Spring on February 1- 2. The festival is the halfway point between Winter and Spring. It celebrates the coming thawing of the earth! It's also about protections and blessings.
The first verse is sometimes repeated at the end of the song.
Gabhaim Molta Bride
I Give Praise to St. Brigid
St. Brigid's Day Hymn
St. Brigid's Day Hymn
(Irish Gaelic)
(English)
Gabhaim molta Bride
Ionmhain í le hÉireann
Ionmhain le gach tír í
Molaimis go léir í
Lóchrann geal na Laighneach
'Soilsiú feadh na tire
Ceann ar óghaibh Éireann
Ceann na mban ar míne
Tig an gheimhreadh dian dubh
Gearradh lena ghéire
Ach ar Lá 'le Bríde
Gar dúinn Earrach Éireann
I give praise to St. Brigid
She is loved by Ireland,
She is loved by all countries
Let's all praise her.
The bright torch of Leinster*
Shining throughout the land,
The pride of the young men of Ireland
The pride of our fine ladies.
The intense winter is very dark,
Cutting with its sharpness,
But on 'Brigid's Day'
Spring is near in Ireland.
Notes
*Leinster is currently a province of Ireland in the east. Before 1171, The Gaelic Kingdom of Leinster existed in the same general area, though it was smaller. The name comes from the Gaelic "Laigin" which was a major tribe that once inhabited the area. The second part of the name means "land" or "territory".
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Pronunciation
(From this site)
Gow-am mull-ta Bree-jah
On-wan ee leh hAir-inn
On-wan leh gockh tcheer ee
Mull-a-meesh guh lair ee
Lockh-ran gyal nah Lie-knock
Soul-shoe yal nah tchee-ra
Kyann err owe-iv Air-inn
Kyann na mon err mien-ya
Tig uhn gear-uh jean doo
Gyar-ah le-nah yeara
Ockh err law leh Bree-jah
Gar dywin Are-ockh Air-inn
Thanks!
Thanks!