Sunday 31 January 2016

Vreeshey, Vreeshey, tar gys my thie...

A little bit of a late start to this year's blogging but better late than never, eh?

While I have a wee rest and – finally – a bit of a sit down before I go and welcome Brigid in, I just wanted to share this video (which I saw posted over on The Ever-Living Ones). It's beautifully sung, and timely too:


The lyrics are a traditional invitation to Brigid, which is sung (or recited) on the eve of Laa'l Breeshey (Imbolc) so that she might visit and bless the house and household at night. The original Manx, with translation are:
Vreeshey, Vreeshey, tar gys my thie, 
Tar gys y thie aym noght.  
Vreeshey, Vreeshey, tar, o tar,
Gys y thie aym noght.  
O foshil jee y dorrys da Vreeshey,
Lhig da Vreeshey çheet stiagh. 
Vreeshey, Vreeshey, tar oo
Gys y thie aym noght.
Bridget, Bridget, come to my house,
come to my house tonight. 
Bridget, Bridget, come, oh come,
To my house this night. 
Open the door to Bridget,
and let Bridget come in. 
Bridget, Bridget, come to my house,
come to my house tonight.
As Manx As the Hills posted a version of this a couple of days ago, and included the sheet music and a sound file to help with pronunciation if you'd like to learn it yourself.

Whatever you're doing, and whenever you're celebrating, I hope you have a good one!