Scottish gaelic
Hail air an aon-adharcach,
Sgàthan na h-oidhche,
solas an là, Craobh beatha, slighe na sìth,
Dìon ar dùthaich, neart nam mìorbhail.
Hail an anam solais,
Spiorad nan seann làithean,
Dòighean dìomhair na talmhainn,
Seallaidh tu an rathad dhachaigh.
Hail an cridhe beannaichte,
Cumhachd na grèine is a’ ghealaich,
Freagair ar gairm anns an dorchadas,
Fàilte ort, maighstir nan rionnagan.
fàilte don aon-adharcach,
beathach an t-solais.
fàilte don aon-adharcach,
beathach an t-solais.
fàilte don aon-adharcach,
beathach an t-solais.
fàilte don aon-adharcach,
beathach an t-solais.
Phonetic
Hail air an oan-aharkach,
Skaa-an na ho-ee-cha, solas an lah,
Cra-uv bay-a, slee-ye na shee,
Dee-on ar doo-hich, nert nam mee-or-vail.
Hail an anam solais,
Spee-orad nan shan lay-an,
Doy-an jee-vir na tal-oo-in,
Shell-ee tu an ra-ad jaa-chay.
Hail an cree-ye ben-ach-tay,
Coo-hakd na gray-nay ees a yel-ich,
Free-ar ar gar ams an dorch-adas,
Fal-cha ort, may-ster nan ree-on-agan.
Fahl-chuh don Oan-ah-har-kach,
beh-ahch un toll-is
Fahl-chuh don Oan-ah-har-kach,
beh-ahch un toll-is
Fahl-chuh don Oan-ah-har-kach,
beh-ahch un toll-is
Fahl-chuh don Oan-ah-har-kach,
beh-ahch un toll-is
Scots
ail tae the unicorn, beastie o’ the nicht,
Guidin’ us by moon an’ by sunlicht,
Tree o’ life, path o’ peace sae braw,
Shield oor land, wi’ strength an’ awe.
Hail tae the spirit o’ licht,
Ghost o’ auld days bright,
Mystic ways o’ the earth,
Show us the way hame wi’ mirth.
Hail tae the blessed heart,
Power o’ sun an’ moon’s art,
Answer our call in the dark,
Welcome, master o’ the starry mark.
all hael to the unicorn,
beastie of the light
all hael to the unicorn,
beastie of the light
all hael to the unicorn,
beastie of the light
all hael to the unicorn,
beastie of the light
Pronunciation Tricks:
Vowels:
Aon-adharcach (oan-aharkach): The "aon" is like "own" wi' a softer start. "adharcach" has a strong "ah" sound, roll yer "r" a bit.
Sgàthan (Skaa-an): "Sgà" like "ska" an' "than" like "an," soft an' blend them quickly.
Craobh (Cra-uv): Sounds like "cra" in "crab" an' "uv" like in "love," but short an' snappy.
Consonants:
Oidhche (ho-ee-cha): "Oidh" has a breathy "h," like a gentle "hoy," then "cha" like in "loch."
Dìon (Dee-on): Soft "d" an' then "on" like in "on," but more delicate.
Mìorbhail (mee-or-vail): Emphasize "mee" and roll smoothly into "or-vail."
Combos:
Slighe na sìth (slee-ye na shee): "Slighe" sounds like "slee-ye" where "ye" is light an' quick. "Sìth" is like "shee," soft an' airy.
Seallaidh tu (shell-ee tu): "Seallaidh" is like "shell-ee," a smooth transition. "tu" as in "to."
Meaning Breakdown:
First Verse:
"Hail air an aon-adharcach, Sgàthan na h-oidhche, solas an là":
Hail tae the unicorn, beastie o' the nicht, guidin' us by moon an' by sunlicht: We honor the unicorn, a creature that guides us through the darkness of night an' the light of day.
"Craobh beatha, slighe na sìth, Dìon ar dùthaich, neart nam mìorbhail":
Tree o' life, path o' peace sae braw, shield oor land, wi' strength an' awe: The unicorn is likened tae the tree of life, guiding us on a peaceful path an' protecting our land wi' miraculous strength.
Second Verse:
"Hail an anam solais, Spiorad nan seann làithean":
Hail tae the spirit o' licht, ghost o' auld days bright: The unicorn represents the spirit of light an' ancient wisdom.
"Dòighean dìomhair na talmhainn, Seallaidh tu an rathad dhachaigh":
Mystic ways o' the earth, show us the way hame wi' mirth: It knows the secret ways of the earth an' guides us home wi' joy.
Third Verse:
"Hail an cridhe beannaichte, Cumhachd na grèine is a' ghealaich":
Hail tae the blessed heart, power o' sun an' moon's art: The unicorn embodies a blessed heart an' the combined power of the sun an' moon.
"Freagair ar gairm anns an dorchadas, Fàilte ort, maighstir nan rionnagan":
Answer our call in the dark, welcome, master o' the starry mark: It answers our call in times of darkness, welcomed as the master of the stars.
Chorus:
"Fàilte don aon-adharcach, beathach an t-solais":
All hael to the unicorn, beastie of the light: Repeated for emphasis, welcoming the unicorn, the creature of light.
Practice Tips:
Feel the Power: As ye chant, imagine the strength an' mysticism of the unicorn. Let that power flow through yer words.
Roll yer Rs: The rolled "r" adds an ancient, mystical feel. Practice rolling yer "r" until it feels natural.
Soft an' Hard Sounds: Balance the gentle "ah" an' "ee" sounds wi' the stronger "ch" an' "r." It creates a rhythm that's both soothing an' powerful.
Repeat the Chorus: The repetition in the chorus builds a sense of invocation. Chant it wi' increasing intensity.