A’ Ghrian (“The Sun”) ~ A Traditional Gaelic Song to the Sun
Originally, as it was for many other cultures, the sun of the Celts was female, and in Ireland and Scotland, at least, it remained so. We know this because all the Irish and Scottish Gaelic words for the Sun are feminine. That is why you see the Sun referred to as “Mother” herein this lovely song, which I think makes a wonderful way to greet the Sun each morning:
A’ Ghrian (“The Sun”) ~ A Traditional Gaelic Song to the Sun,
from the original Gàidhlig, as recited by Iain MacNìll of Barra,
at the turn of the century before last.
#317 in the Ortha nan Gàidheal.
Fàilte ort féin, a ghrian nan tràth,
’S tu siubhail ard nan speur;
Do cheumaibh treun air sgéith nan ard,
’S tu màthair àigh nan reul.
Thu laighe sìos an cuan na dìth
Gun dìobhail is gun sgàth,
Thu ’g éirigh suas air stuagh na sìth,
Mar rìoghain òg fo bhlàth.
(Hail to you, O sun of the seasons,
As you travel the skies aloft;
Your steps are strong on the wing of the heavens,
You are the glorious mother of the stars.
You lie down in the destructive ocean
Without impairment and without fear;
You rise up on the peaceful wave-crest
Like a youthful queen in bloom.)
Song 316, Carmichael, Carmina Gadelica, 1992, p292 (English only); Carmichael, Carmina Gadelica Volume III, 1941, pp310-311.
Rather than as “impairment,” I think that I personally would translate dìobhail as “diminishing.” It derives from the Old Irish dígbál (“lessening, diminishing, loss, want”), and while I understand that the intent here is to indicate that the Sun loses nothing of itself in setting, is not impaired in any way, I believe that “diminishing” gets that idea across better than “impairment” — i.e., the Sun’s profound greatness is undiminished by its setting; it is never small, but always great, no matter what.
Blessings!
APs Rhianwen Bendigaid
