canasg choral music publishing

SG1514

Duan Nollaig

Christmas song

a traditional Gaelic Christmas song from
the West of Scotland

arranged by Sheena Phillips
for soprano, alto and tenor/baritone chorus

SATB performance time approx 1m 30s

Arranger's note

This is a rousing carol featuring the bannock, a traditional bread baked in many parts of Scotland. In between vigorous choruses are some very beautiful and poetic verses describing the Christ child. In this arrangement, two of the verses are sung pianissimo, for a dramatic contrast with the rowdy choruses surrounding them.

As with other Gaelic songs, some time is needed for non-Gaelic speakers to become familiar with the words. Don't be put off - they're not hard, and the alliteration in the lines of the verses is wonderful to sing.

Music

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Hear a MIDI file of the song

Words

Duan Nollaig
(Christmas song)

Chorus
Heire bannag, hoire bannag
Heire bannag air a' bheò.

1.
Mac na niula, Mac na neula
Mac na runna, Mac na reula

2.
Mac na dìle, Mac na déire
Mac na spire, Mac na speura

3.
Mac na lasa, Mac na leusa
Mac na cruinne, Mac na cé

4.
Mac nan dùla, Mac nan nèamha,
Mac na gile, Mac na gréine

traditional Gaelic song

Translation

Chorus
Hey the (Christmas) bannock,
Ho the bannock.

1.
Son of dawn, Son of cloud
Son of mystery, Son of star

2.
Son of the torrent, Son of the deep
Son of the welkin, Son of the sky

3.
Son of flame, Son of light
Son of the globe, Son of the earth

4.
Son of hopes, Son of the heavens,
Son of purity, Son of the sun

Canasg editors

Full pronunciation guide provided

Price

The price of this piece depends on the number of singers in your group. This is a single payment for a licence to make as many copies as you need for your group to rehearse and perform the song as often as you wish. Copies of the song must not be given, lent or sold to any other group.

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Companion pieces

Browse the Scots and Gaelic section of the Canasg catalogue for more songs like this one. To go there now, click on the 'catalogue' box to the right.

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