Rop tu mo baile!
(Note: I have created my own category called “Estel’s Posts.” Henceforth, all the posts I, Estel, write without Kitty will be in this category.)
For some months I have been pining away for Irish lyrics to “Be Thou My Vision.” Specifically the original Old Irish lyrics. Well, last week I happened upon a Modern Irish rendition, and then the next day I found Old Irish words! I also found a partial translation, and a recording.
In case you didn’t know, “Be Thou My Vision” was originally an Irish hymn dating from the 8th century. It had 16 verses, each of which was equivalent to one-half an English verse. So the four verses with which we are most familiar are really eight verses in Old Irish. (There’s a fifth verse that I’ve never heard sung, which is too bad because it’s pretty.) It wasn’t translated into English until the early 20th century, and then a little later it was put to the tune we sing today.
For those who are interested, here’s the link and first verse:
Rop tú mo baile,
a Choimdiu cride:
ní ní nech aile
acht Rí secht nime.
Cool! I love “Be Thou my Vision”!
Comment by Christina — January 17, 2006 @ 3:11 pm
That is awesome!! Be Thou My Vision has always been one of my all-time favorite hymns. I knew the lyrics were originally Irish but I had never seen them. Thanks!
Comment by Rache — January 17, 2006 @ 5:00 pm
I’m glad to share them! There are a few spelling variations in other sources, but I think they’re minor. Have you heard Maire Brennan’s song?
Comment by Estel of Rohan — January 21, 2006 @ 3:10 am