'A Midder's boy' by Freda Leask - Christmas Carol in the Shetland dialect. Artwork by Mandy Tait

' A Midder's Boy' is a unique dialect Shetland Christmas Carol, combining original music and art for the festive season.

In a delightful celebration of Shetland's rich cultural heritage, Shetlander Freda Leask has crafted a unique Christmas Carol lullaby written in the Shetland dialect.

Adding a visual dimension to the project. Freda's sister, Mandy Tait, a talented artist, has contributed her own touch. As she was simultaneously working on a series of Christmas cards, one image serendipitously perfectly matched the tone and meaning of the song and forms the artwork for the release. This seamless blend of music and art gave rise to an innovative idea: a digital Chirstmas card, where song and artwork come together to create a heartfelt gift, hopefully connecting with the Shetland & Scottish communities & beyond.

This digital Christmas card can be sent through the 'send as a gift' option on Freda's Bandcamp page, providing the opportunity to share the festive spirit with friends and loved ones around the world. This unique offering combines the beauty of traditional Shetland art and the joy of a homegrown carol in the Shetland dialect- making it a perfect gift for those who appreciate authentic, meaningful connections during the Christmas season...... or just listen and watch this video in its own right. Hope you enjoy it.

Credits
Vocals; Freda Leask
Piano: Gregg Arthur / Freda Leask
Recording: Freda Leask / Gregg Arthur
Mixing: Gregg Arthur
Artwork: Mandy Tait
Timelapse Video Footage: Joe Leask
Additional Video: George Leask

(Dialect lyrics below are followed by the English translation)

A Midder's Boy

It's a dark an staary nicht
You can see da noardrin lichts
Dancin' ida heefins ower da saand
An wan staar ida sky
Gies a licht itae wir eye
A heefinly meid dat taks wis by da haand

An owerby ida byre, wi da sheep in aa da kye
A weeried homless faimly böls dem doon
Fur a bairn wis boarn dastreen
Looks intae His midder's een
Shö keens her peerie infant wears a croon

Shö nuns Him as He sleeps
Hadds Him closs as soond He sleeps
Shö dusna want ta tink aboot da vaige dat lies aheed

INSTRUMENTAL & BRIDGE

It's a dark an staary nicht
You can see da noardrin lichts
Dancin' ida heefins ower da saand
An wan staar ida sky
Gies a licht itae wir eye
A heefinly meid dat taks wis by da haand
An dirs wan staar ida sky
Gies a licht itae wir eye
A heefinly meid dat taks wis by da haand
© all rights reserved
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TRANSLATION

A Mother's Son

It's a dark and starry night
You can see the aurora borealis
Dancing in the heavens over the sandy beach
And one star in the sky
Gives a light to our eye
A heavenly transient bearing that takes us by the hand

And over there in the stable
With the sheep and the cattle
A tired homeless family settles down to rest
For a baby born the night before
Looks into His mother's eyes
And she knows her little infant wears a crown

Bridge
She sings quietly to HIm as He cries
Holds Him close as He sleeps soundly
She doesn't want to think about the journey that lies ahead

INSTRMENTAL & BRIDGE

It's a dark and starry night
We can see the aurora borealis
Dancing in the heavens over the sandy beach
And there's one star in the sky
Gives a light to our eyes
A heavenly transient bearing that takes us by the hand
Yes there's one star in the sky
That gives light to our eyes
A heavenly transient bearing
That takes us by the hand
© all rights reserved