Máthair / Mother
Fonn: May Morning Dew
Údar: Dave Barron

Máthair / Mother
Fonn: May Morning Dew
Údar: Dave Barron

Tugann gaoth geal an tEarrach smaointe grá fút,
Lán le cineáltas, le dóchas, le’d cumhacht;
Múinteoir a’b fhearr thú ó m’am ar do ghlún:
‘Sí an máthair is tabhachtaí ar domhan.

‘Sa ghaoth bog an Samhradh cuímhním tú go caoin,
Ag cómhrá sa gháirdín faoi scáth deas na grann;
Mo ghrá dhuit ag méadú le gach sioscadh ‘sna crainn:
‘Sí an máthair is tabhachtaí ar domhan.

Le gaoth fuar an Fhómhair sabháiltear na barraí
Ag stóráil an fómhar tar éis fás na bliana;
Roinn tú d’aigne ó fómhar saibhir do chroi:
‘Sí an máthair is tabhachtaí ar domhan.

I ngaoth gear an Geimhreadh is cuímhin liom do ghrá
Ag treorú mo shaol go fial le’d aigne,
Do theaghlach compórdach gach oíche is lá:
‘Sí an máthair is tabhachtaí ar domhan.

Gach gaoth is gach séasúr tugann cuimhne dom thú,
Do threoir is do aigne gan struss, gan brú,
Do shuaimhneas faoi’n fóid ‘nois, mo mhathair, mo bhrón:
‘Sí an máthair is tabhachtaí ar domhan.
‘Sí an máthair is tabhachtaí ar domhan.


The bright wind of Springtime brings you to my mind,

Filled with fine promise, all gentle and kind;

Fountain of hope and my bright, guiding star,

Still guiding my life choice from Heaven afar.


The soft breeze of Summer recalls you and me

Enjoying the garden in the shade of the trees;

My love for you deepens with each passing breeze.

When I think how you loved me my heart melts in tears.


The chill wind of Autumn means harvest is here,

Storing the fresh fruits and the yields of the year.

Your harvest of wisdom, gleaned through your years,

Shared freely and wisely throughout all our years.


The wild wínds of Winter bring warm thoughts of you;

Through the wild storms of life your guidance was true;

Your warm hearth was cosy, where love warmed the air,

Just like your own heart and the peace that lay there.


All winds and all seasons keep you in my mind,

Your wisdom and guidance, so gentle and kind.

Your caring and sharing made our house a home.

Your peace is all gone now, Mother, mo bhrón.

Is amhrán grá é May Morning Dew: cén grá is mó atá ann ná an grá idir máthair agus leanbh? Ní hionann é agus grá do pháirtí, leanbh, garpháiste, athair nó cara. Tá sé uathúil ina dhoimhneacht agus ina mhín agus is minic, faraor, ní thuigtear go hiomlán é ach amháin nuair a bhíonn an máthair tar éis bás a fháil.

May Morning Dew is a love song: what greater love is there than that between a mother and child? It is not the same as love for a partner, child, grandchild, father or friend. It is unique in its depth and gentleness and is often, sadly, only fully appreciated when the mother has passed away.