Traditional This song is based on an old Celtic belief that an unattended baby would be stolen away by the "wee folk", the fairies. Sometimes a changeling - a supernatural being in human form - would be left in its place.
I left my baby lying here, Lying here, lying here I left my baby lying here To go and gather blaeberries.
Chorus: Hovan, hovan gorry og o, Gorry og o, gorry o go, Hovan, hovan gorry o go, I never found my baby, O!
Fhuair mi lorg an dóbhrain duinn, An dóbhrain duinn, an dóbhrain duinn, Gu'n d'fhuair mi lorg an dóbhrain duinn; 'S cha d'fhuair mi lorg mo chóineachain!
I heard the curlew crying far Crying far, crying far I heard the curlew crying far But never heard my baby, O!