cadal chan fhaigh mi
scottish gaelic

cadal chan fhaigh mi,
sùgradh cha dèan mise
nochd chan fhaigh mi tàmh
’s gun thu ghràidh a’tighinn

h-uile h-oidhche
tha mi smaoineachadh gun tig thu
gu mo leabaidh bhlàth,
’s aonaranach mise

cha b’ann dubh no ruadh
a bha luaidh mo chridhe,
’sann a bha e bàn,
àilleagan nan gillean

’s tu bu ghuirme sùil,
’s tu bu dùbailt cridhe,
’s tu bu bhinne cainnt
ris ne rinn mi bruidhinn

sgriobhadair le peann,
leughadair na duilleig,
maraiche nan tonn
chuireadh long fo h-uidheam

chuala mise sgeul
a thug deur bho’m chridhe
thu bhi falbh a null
’s gun do dhùil ri tilleadh

i can get no sleep
traditional

i can get no sleep,
i cannot make merry
tonight i can get no rest,
since you are not coming, love

every night
i think that you will come
to my warm bed,
i am desolate

not black nor red-haired
was the love of my heart,
he had fair hair,
handsomest of lads

you had the bluest eyes,
you had the kindest heart,
you had the most melodious voice
i ever conversed with

writer with pen,
reader of pages,
sailor of the waves,
who would rig a boat

i heard a rumour
that drew a tear from my heart
you were going far away
and not expected to return