Gabhaim Molta Bride (I Praise Brigid)

This is a traditional Gaeilge song in honor of Brighid (St. Brigid) and so is perfect for singing on Lá Fhéile Bríde (Imbolc). The phonetics below were transcribed by Treasa Ní Chonchobhair based on Eithne Ní Uallacháín’s pronunciation in La Lugh’s “Brigid’s Kiss” (on the album of the same name; all mistakes in transcription belong to Treasa), which we have used in our video on Lá Fhéile Bríde:

Other versions of this song have been recorded by Áine MinogueCathie RyanKate Chadbourne, and Aoife Ní Fhearraigh.

Gaeilge (Irish) Foghraíocht (Phonetics) Béarla (English)
Gabhaim molta Bride
Ionmhain í le hÉireann
Ionmhain le gach tír í
Molaimis go léir í
Gow-am mull-ta Bree-jah
On-wan ee leh hAir-inn
On-wan leh gockh tcheer ee
Mull-a-meesh guh lair ee
I praise Brigid
Beloved in Ireland
Beloved in all countries
Let us all praise her
Lóchrann geal na Laighneach
‘Soilsiú feadh na tire
Ceann ar óghaibh Éireann
Ceann na mban ar míne
Lockh-ran gyal nah Lie-knock
Soul-shoe yal nah tchee-ra
Kyann err owe-iv Air-inn
Kyann na mon err mien-ya
The bright torch of Leinster
Shining throughout the country
The pride of Irish youth
The pride of our gentle women
Tig an gheimhreadh dian dubh
Gearradh lena ghéire
Ach ar Lá ‘le Bríde
Gar dúinn Earrach Éireann
Tig uhn gear-uh jean doo
Gyar-ah le-nah yeara
Ockh err law leh Bree-jah
Gar dywin Are-ockh Air-inn
The house of winter is very dark
Cutting with its sharpness
But on Brigid’s Day
Spring is near to Ireland