Oidhche Mhath Leibh (The Goodnight Song) - Mary Ann Kennedy & Anna Massie Live

Oidhche Mhath Leibh (The Goodnight Song) - Mary Ann Kennedy & Anna Massie Live at Cèol is Craic, CCA Glasgow April 2018

SORAIDH LEIBH IS OIDHCHE MHATH LEIBH (Farewell and Good Night)
Iain MacPhàidein (John MacFadyen)

The classic Gaelic end-of-the-night song, often heard at traditional ceilidhs and gatherings, but never in its complete form. Mary Ann was inspired by the singing of Billy Ross of the seminal Scottish folk band, Ossian, who one recorded this in a more intimate, contemplative treatment than the 'rousing' treatment it usually gets. MacFadyen was a Mull-born poet who made his life as a railwayman in Glasgow. He captured the 19th Century immigrant Glasgow Gaels' life perfectly in his songs - often with a dry wit, but sometimes, like Oidhche Mhath Leibh, with poignant beauty.

A studio version of the song will appear on Mary Ann's forthcoming album, 'Glaschu', to be released in Spring 2019 on ARC Music.

Words & Lyrics

Soraidh leibh is oidhche mhath leibh,
Oidhche mhath leibh, beannachd leibh;
Guidheam slàinte ghnàth bhith mar ribh;
Oidhche mhath leibh, beannachd leibh.

Chan eil inneal-ciùil a ghleusar
Dhùisgeas smuain mo chlèibh gu aoibh
Mar nì duan o bheòil nan caileag;
Oidhche mhath leibh, beannachd leibh.

’S guth gum chridhe pong nan òran,
Caidir sòlais òigridh seinn;
Aiteal ciùin air làithean m’ òige;
Sonas a bhith ’n-còmhnaidh leibh.

Màthair uisge ’n tobair fhìoruisg,
Cainnt ar sinnsir, brìgh na loinn;
’S faochadh tlàth o ànradh m’ inntinn
Nuair bheir rann na glinn am chuimhn’.

Grian cha laigh a-nochd air mìltean
Leis am binn a fuinn ’s a roinn
’S dom bidh ’n sgeul na mhòr-thoil-inntinn
Dh’innseas dhaibh gun robh sinn cruinn.

Astar cuain cha dèan ar sgaradh,
’S dùrachd dàimh am bannaibh toinnt;
Glèidh an t-àgh na dh'fhàg a’ bheannachd
Oidhche mhath leibh, beannachd leibh.

Thuit ar crann air saoghal carach;
’S coma siud, tha mhaitheas leinn;
“Bidh sinn beò an dòchas ro-mhath”:
Oidhche mhath leibh, beannachd leibh.


Farewell and goodnight to you,
Goodnight to you and bless you all;
May good health be yours;
Goodnight to you and bless you all.

No melody from any instrument
Can wake my heart’s pleasure
As a song from the lips of young lasses;
Goodnight to you and bless you all.

A voice straight to the heart - the melodies,
The sound of happiness, young folk’s song
A peaceful glimpse of my own young days;
What joy to be among you all.

The well of freshwater is the wellspring,
Our elders’ language, elegantly phrased;
And a respite to my mind’s turmoil
When a verse brings the glens to mind.

The sun will not set tonight on thousands
Who love her tunes and verse,
For whom the tale will be a pleasure
To let them know we had been together.

No ocean divide can separate us
With the goodwill of kinship binding us tight;
Hold to the love that blessing left us;
Goodnight to you and bless you all.

Our lot has fallen on a wicked world;
Pay no heed, we have the good of it;
“We will live in greatest hope”:
Goodnight to you and bless you all.