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  1. Pangur Bán

From the recording Lullabies for Trying Times

Lyrics

Pangur Bán
Messe [ocus] Pangur bán,cechtar nathar fria saindán;bíth a menma-sam fri seilgg,mu menma céin im saincheirdd
 
Caraim-se fós, ferr cach clú,oc mu lebrán léir ingnu;ní foirmtech frimm Pangur bán,caraid cesin a maccdán.
 
Ó ru-biam ­ scél cén scis ­innar tegdias ar n-oéndis,táithiunn ­ dichríchide clius ­ ní fris 'tarddam ar n-áthius.
 
Gnáth-huaraib ar greassaib galglenaid luch ina lín-sam;os me, du-fuit im lín chéindliged ndoraid cu n-dronchéill.
 
Fúachaid-sem fri freaga fála rosc a nglése comlán;fúachimm chéin fri fégi fismu rosc réil, cesu imdis.
 
Fáelid-sem cu n-déne dul,hi nglen luch ina gérchrub;hi-tucu cheist n-doraid n-dil,os mé chene am fáelid.
 
Cia beimini amin nach réní derban cách a chéle;mait le cechtar nár a dánsubaigthiud a óenurán.
 
Hé fesin as choimsid dáuin muid du-n-gní cach óenláu;do thabairt doraid du gléfor mumud céin am messe.
 
TRANSLATION:Myself and Pangur, cat and sageGo each about our business;I harass my beloved page,He his mouse.
Fame comes second to the peaceOf study, a still dayUnenvying, Pangur's choiceIs child's play.
Neither bored, both honeAt home a separate skillMoving after hours aloneTo the kill
When at last his net wrapsAfter a sly fightAround a mouse; mine trapsSudden insight.
On my cell wall here,His sight fixes, burning,Searching; my old eyes peerAt new learning,
And his delight when his clawsClose on his preyEquals mine when sudden cluesLight my way.
So we find by degreesPeace in solitude,Both of us, solitaries,Have each the trade
He loves: Pangur, never idleDay or nightHunts mice; I hunt each riddleFrom dark to light.