Ho! mo nigh’n dubh He! mo nigh’n dubh mo nighean dubh ‘S tu mo chuachag He! mo nigh’n dubh Ho! mo nigh’n dubh Mo nighean dubh ‘S tu mo chuachag I Caidil a luaidh Fo chobhair nan stuadh Air bodha na suaih ‘S do bhruadar ‘s a’ cheòban Caidil a luaidh Fo chobnair nan stuadh Air bodha na suain ‘S do bhruad -ar ‘sa’ cheò ban. II Caidil a ghraidh O caidil mu thràth Is t’athair air bhàigh Is fadal mo phòig air Caidil a ghraidh O caidil mu thràth Is t’athair air bhàigh Is fadal mo phòig air III Eala rid’ thaobh Is roin os do chionn Lacha Mhoire ‘sa’ chaol ‘S cha’n fhaobar mo bhrònag Eala rid’ thaobh Is roin os do chionn Lacha Mhoire ‘sa’ chaol ‘S chan fhaobar mo bhrònag
CHORUS (non sense) Ho mo nian du He mo nian du mo nian du Stu mo chuach -ak … I Sleep beneath The foam o’ the waves On reefs of sleep Dreaming in dew mist. Sleep beneath the foam o’ the weaves On reefs of sleep Dreaming in dew mist. II Thy sea bed The seals(1) o’er head From reivers dread Securely guarding Seals o’er head thy deep sea bed. From reivers dread Securely guarding III While I croon White swan(2) of the moon Wild duck of the sound By thee are resting Moon swan White swan of the moon Wild duck of the sound a near thee resting.