Dán do Lara, 10: English Translation (Junior Cert Irish): Revision Notes
Dán do Lara, 10 : English Translation
Dán do Lara, 10
Le Mícheál Ó hAirtneide
Fuinseog trí thine
gruaig do chinn
ag mealladh fuiseoige
le do ghlór binn
i bhféar glas,
is scata nóiníní
ag súgradh leat,
is scata coiníní
ag damhsa leat,
an lon dubh
is a órghob
mar sheoid leat,
lasair choille
is a binneas
mar cheol leat.
Is cumhracht tusa,
is mil, is sú talún:
ceapann na beacha féin
gur bláth sa pháirc thú.
A bhanríon óg thír na leabhar
go raibh tú mar seo go deo
go raibh tú saor i gcónaí
ó shlabhra an bhróin
Seo mo bheannacht ort, a chailín,
is is tábhachtach mar bheannú é –
go raibh áilleacht anama do mháthar leat
is áilleacht a gné.
English translation of the poem 'Dán do Lara, 10'.
A Poem for Lara, 10
By Mícheál Ó hAirtneide
An ashtree on fire
the hair of your head
coaxing larks
with your sweet voice
in the green grass,
a crowd of daisies
playing with you,
a crowd of rabbits
dancing with you,
the blackbird
with its gold bill
is a jewel for you,
the goldfinch
with its sweetness
is your music.
You are perfume,
you are honey,
a wild strawberry:
even the bees think you
a flower in the field.
Little queen of the land of books,
May you always be thus,
May you ever be free
from sorrow-chains.
Here's my blessing for you, girl,
and it is no petty grace –
may you have the beauty of your mother's soul
and the beauty of her face.