Unique Word Count: 51
Music composed by: Tim Dennehy
Words written by: Tim Dennehy, including text by an unknown author, from manuscript RIA MS 23 D 4
Lyrics:
Dia do bheatha idir asal is damh gan riar,
Dia do bheatha id leanbh, id fhlaith gan ciach,
Dia do bheatha ód Fhlaithis go Teach na bPian,
Dia do bheatha-sa, a Íosa.
Curfá:
Dún do shúile, a Rí an tSolais,
Dún do shúile ríoga,
Dún do shúile, a Shaoi an tSonais,
Dún do shúile síoda.
Tá bóithrín fada fágtha id dhiaidh,
Dia do bheatha id leanbh, id fhlaith gan ciach,
Gach doras druidte is tú gan bia,
Dia do bheatha-sa, a Íosa.
Tá fáilte is fiche romhat sa Ríocht,
Dia do bheatha id leanbh, id fhlaith gan ciach,
Tá teas is deoch is leaba righin,
Dia do bheatha-sa, a Íosa.
Translation:
A hearty welcome to you, between a donkey and an ox without provisions,
A hearty welcome to you, a child and a prince without sorrow,
A hearty welcome to you from the Heavens to the House of Pain,
A hearty welcome to you, Jesus.
Chorus:
Close your eyes, King of Light,
Close your royal eyes,
Close your eyes, Master of Joy,
Close your silken eyes.
You have travelled a long road,
A hearty welcome to you, a child and a prince without sorrow
Every door has been shut, and you are without food,
A hearty welcome to you, Jesus.
You are abundantly welcome here in the Kingdom,
A hearty welcome to you, a child and a prince without sorrow,
There is warmth and drink and a firm bed here,
A hearty welcome for you, Jesus.
Notes:
Úna Ní Ógáin found a short poem in a manuscript of the Royal Irish Academy, RIA MS 23 D 4, visible here: https://www.isos.dias.ie/RIA/RIA_MS_23_D_4.html#33
Dia do bheatha idir asal is damh gan riar,
Is Dia do bheatha-sa id leanbh id fhlaith gan ciach,
Is Dia do bheatha-sa ód Fhlaitheas go Teach na bPian,
Is Dia do bheath-sa id Athair id Mhac is id Dhia.
She then matched this text with a traditional song, “Réalt na Maidne”, collected by “O.I.M.” P. Seoighe, and published it in her book Dánta Dé idir Sean agus Nuadh (1928, Ó Fallamhain, Dublin).
This text also travelled through culture as a traditional prayer, recited by families at Christmastime. Tim Dennehy from Ballinskelligs, on the Iveragh Peninsula in South Kerry, was inspired by this same text to compose this song, “An Nollaig Theas”.
He can be heard singing it himself on his CD Old Boots and Flying Sandals (2007, Sceilig Records); the words can also be found on his website, www.sceilig.com .