Christ Child Lullaby
Tàladh ar Slànair

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Melody -
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Ranald Rankin, c. 1855

My love, my pride, my treasure oh
My wonder new and pleasure oh
My son, my beauty, ever You
Who am I to bear You here?

2. The cause of talk and tale am I
The cause of greatest fame am I
The cause of proudest care on high
To have for mine, the King of all.

3. And though You are the King of all
They sent You to the manger stall
Where at Your feet they all shall fall
And glorify my child, the King.

4. There shone a star above three kings
To guide them to the King of kings
They held You in their humble arms
And knelt before You until dawn.

5. They gave You myrrh and gave You gold
Frankincense and gifts untold
They traveled far these gifts to bring
And glorify their new born King.

Mo ghaol, mo ghràdh is m’eudail thu
M’iunntas ùr is m’èibhneas thu
Mo mhacan àluinn, ceutach thu
Chan fhiù mi fhèin bhi ‘d dhàil
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

2. Mo ghaol an t-sùil a sheallas tlàth
Mo ghaol an cridh’ tha liont’ le gràdh
Ged is leanabh thu gun chàil
Is lìonmhor buaidh tha ort a’ fàs.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

3. ‘S tusa grian gheal an dòchais
Chuireas dorchadas air fògairt
Bheir thu clann-daoin bho staid bhrònaich
Gu naomhachd, soilleireachd is eòlas.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

My love, my dear, my darling
My new treasure, you are my joy
You are my beautiful, fair son
I am unworthy to be near you
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

2. My darling of the gentle eyes
My darling whose heart is filled with love
Though you are but a helpless baby
Great victories will be yours.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

3. You are the white sun of hope
Who will banish darkness from us
You well redeem Mankind from sorrow
To sanctity, light and knowledge.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

This hymn is sung at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in the islands of Barra, South Uist and Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. The words were written by Father Ranald Rankin, and given by him to the children of his congregation in Moidart, when he left for Australia in 1855. The original song has 29 verses, and as with many old Gaelic songs, several variants of the tune exist. - This information courtesy Alice Flynn and Anne Cooke.

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