Cagaran Gaolach Cagaran, cagaran, cagaran gaolach, Cagaran laghach thu, fear dhe mo dhaoine, Goididh egobhar dhomh, goididh e caoraich, Goididh e sithean a innis an aonaich. Cagaran, cagaran, cagan gaolach Cagaran odhar na cloinneam mo dhaoine Goiddh e gobhar dhomh, goididh e caoraich Goididh e laos-buig air innis an aonaich. Cagaran, cagaran, cagaran gaolach Cagaran laghach thu, cagaran gaol thu Dean do chadalan, duin do shuilean Rinn thu cadalan, fosgail do shuilean TRANSLATION: Little darling, little darling, lovable little darling Pleasant little darling, one of my own kin He will steal goats for me, he will steal sheep He will steal a fairy man from the hillside meadow. Little darling, little darling, lovable little darling Pale little darling, a child of my own kin He will steal goats for me, he will steal sheep He will steal a wether goat on the hillside meadow. Little darling, little darling, lovable little darling Pleasant little darling, darling of my love Go to sleep, close your eyes Wake up again, open your eyes. Here is a lullaby of thievery. "This is a lullaby that was recorded by Dr. John Shaw from Jim MacDonald of Big Pond, Nova Scotia in 1977. It has its origins in Lochaber, Scotland, & takes the form of a praise poem to the little baby, saying he will perform great feats, in this case the stealing of goats and sheep." From Mary Jane Lamond's Bho Thir Nan Craobh (From The Land of the Trees), B. & R. Heritage Enterprises BRCD0001. Here is historical proof that the Scots encouraged sheep-stealing:) TJ TJ OCT98
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!