Thursday, December 21, 2006

Yule

Image of Stonehenge (Stone Circle) by RiotGibbon


Scél lem dúib dordaid dam

snigid gaim rofáith sam

Gáeth ard úar ísel grían

geir a rrith ruirthech rían.

Rorúad rath rocleth cruth

Rogab gnáth giugrann guth

rogab úacht etti én

aigre ré é mo scél.


I have a tale for you: a stag bells;

winter pours, summer has gone.

The wind is high, cold; the sun is low;

its course is short, the sea is strong running.

The bracken is very red; its shape has been hidden.

The cry of the barnacle goose has become usual.

Cold has taken the wings of birds.

Season of ice crystals; this is my tale.

From the Irish Liber Hymnorum (11th century)
Translation: Jeffrey Huntsman