Thig, a’ Chuinneag, Thig (Come, Butter, Come)
A Gàidhlig working song to be sung while churning butter and so makes a great Là Fhèill Brìghde (Imbolc) or Bealltainn (Bealtaine) tune. It is also known as “Am Maistreadh a Bh’ aig Moire,” and a different version can be found on the Tocher journal’s website: “Oran Maistridh“.
| Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) | Beurla (English) | |
| Sèist: Blàthach gu dòrn, s’ im gu uillinn, Thig, a’ chuinneag, thig. Blàthach gu dòrn, s’ im gu uillinn, Thig, a’ chuinneag, thig. |
Chorus: Buttermilk to the wrist, butter to the elbow, Come, butter, come. Buttermilk to the wrist, butter to the elbow, Come, butter, come. |
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| Tha glug an seo, tha glag an seo, Tha glug an seo, tha glag an seo; Tha rud as fhèarr na chòir an seo, Tha rud as fhèarr na fion ann. |
There’s a glug here, there’s a glack there, There’s a glug here, there’s a glack there; There’s something better here than you’d expect, There’s something better than wine here. |
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| Sèist x1 | Chorus x1 | |
| Thig an lòn, thig an smeòr’, Thig an ceòl às a’ bhrùth; Thig a’ chuthag, thig a’ cheathag, Thig an fhosgag-adhair. |
The blackbird will come, the thrush will come, The music will come, come from the hill; The cuckoo will come, the jackdaw will come, The father osprey will come. |
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| Sèist x1 | Chorus x1 |