435. Learn Irish – Amhrán na Farraige

Here’s how I arranged each line of the song in four parts

Liricí:

Line 1: Correct Irish

Line 2: Approximate sound

Line 3. Word for word translation

Line 4. Translation

Note: Something to learn from this line

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Idir ann is idir as.

i-dir on is i-dir oss (as in boss)

Between there and between out of.

Between in and out.

Note: Idir = between. Idir mé (may) is tú (too) = Between you and me.

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Idir thuaidh is idir theas.

i-dir whoo-ee is i-dir hass

Between north and between south

Between north and south.

Note: the four directions, are N S E W: thuaidh, theas, thoir (hir) and thiar (heer)

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Idir thiar is idir thoir.

i-dir heer is idir hir

Between west and between east

Between west and east.

Note: if you use the verb go with the directions they change to ó thuaidh, ó dheas, soir, and siar

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Idir am is idir áit.

i-dir om is i-dir aw-it

Between time and between place

Between time and place.

Note: a is often pronounced o, á is pronounced aw as in saw (sad sound)

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Curfá:

As an sliogán.

os on shligawn

From the shell

From the shell

Note: Sligeach, the town that is Anglicized as Sligo means shelly.

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Amhrán na farraige.

ow (as in how) rawn na farig-eh

Song of-the sea

The song of the sea.

Note: of / ‘s is often replaced in Irish with a change in spelling. an fharraige (the sea) ► na farraige (of the sea)

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Suaimhneach ná ciúin.

sue-eev-noch naw ki-you-in

Neither peaceful nor quiet

Neither peaceful nor quiet.

Note: All Cs in Irish are pronounced as K, ch is a gargle sound

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Ag cuardú go damanta

eg koor-doo gu dom-un-ta

ing-search ly-fierce

Searching fiercely [for]

Note: ag + verb indicated the ing form

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Mo ghrá.

mu ghraw

My love

My love.

Note: ch and gh are often a low and gentle gargle sound

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Idir gaoth is idir tonn.

i-dir gu-ee is i-dir tun

between wind and between wave

Between wind and wave.

Note: G is always a harg G sound. It never changes to a j sound. Gh is often like a gargle sound.

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Idir tuilleadh is idir trá.

i-dir till-uh is i-dir traw

Between flood and between beach / ebb

Between flood and beach.

Note: The dh at the end of the word tuilleadh has no sound. That often happens at the end of words.

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Curfá:

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Idir cósta, idir cloch.

i-dir kohs-ta, i-dir kloch

Between coast, between rock

Between the coast and stone

Note: Éire means Ireland. Cósta na hÉireann means the coast of Ireland

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Idir brí is idir muir.

i-dir bree is i-dir mwir

Between meaning and the sea.

Between meaning and the sea.  

Note: Cad is brí le …? What is the meaning of…?

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Tá mé idir ghrá

taw may idir ghraw

I am between love

I am between love.

Note: Tá mé = I am. Tá mé go maith (gu moh) = I’m well.

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Hope that helps. ☺ Enjoy singing in Irish ♫

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