Trad Tuesday: Nil Na La performed by Solas

Nil Na La is a traditional song. It means 'Daylight has not come.'  This version is one of my favorites and performed by Solas.

Tá na caoirigh ag ithe an gheamhair 
Tá na gamhna ag ól an bhainne 
Prátaí síos gan díolachán 
's duine gan mheabhair na raghfá abhaile 

(The sheep are eating the corn 
The calves are drinking the milk 
The potatoes they are unsold 
You madman, will you not go home!) 

Is deas an bhean i Siobhán óg 
Gúna nua uirthí aníos ón siopa 
Is breathnaím ar mo ghiní óir 
'S i a' rince ar an mbord leis an phoc ar buile 

(Siobhan is a nice young girl 
In her new dress down from the shop 
I gaze at my golden guinea 
And it spinning on the table 
While I get angry) 

Curfa (Chorus) 
Nil 'na lá, tá 'na lá 
Nil 'na lá, tá ar maidin 
NIl 'na lá, tá 'na lá 
Bean a rá, is i ar fhaga 

Don't send me out into the dark 
The night is cold and I'll be perished 
But come to bed with me awhile 
And we'll be warm beneath the blankets 

Buailim suas, buailim síos 
Buailim cleamhan ar bhean a leanna 
Cuirim giní óir ar an mbord 
Is bím ag ál anseo go maidin 

Chorus 
I go up and I go down 
I've a rendevous with the tavern lady 
I put a guinea on the table 
And I drink me fill until the morning 

Tá mo bhróga I dtigh an óil 
Tá mo stocaí I dtigh á leanna 
Tá na coiligh go léir ag glaoch 
Is b'éigean domsa dhul abhaile 

Chorus 

I left my shoes in the pub 
I left my stockings there as well 
The cocks have all begun to crow 
And it's time for me to head on homewards 

Chorus