Scottish gaelic
Spioradan nan craobhan, èisd ar dùrachd,
Gabhamaid làimh ri làimh, gun chiont is gun cionntachd.
Bheir sinn gràdh is spèis, gu leòr, Ri leipreacháin,
a' còmhnaidh san dorchadas mòr.
O na beanntan gu na glinn,
Bidh sinn aon, fo ghealach is linn.
Gach latha, còmhla gu bràth,
Ann an co-sheirm, gun strì is gun chràdh.
Bheir sinn cùram, gun chron,
Anns a’ ghaol, gun nàimhdeas is gun dronn.
Caidreabh làidir, fad ar beatha,
Le leipreacháin, gun athar, gun ath-ghràdh.
Phonetic
Speer-ah-dan nan croo-van, eshd ar doo-rah,
Gah-vah-maid lahv ree lahv, goon kee-ont iss goon keen-tah.
Veh-reen grah-v iss spays, goo lor, Ree lay-prec-hawn,
ah com-nah san dorch-ah-dahs mor.
Oh na byoon-tan goo na glynn,
Bee shinn ahn, fo yel-ach iss lynn.
Gah-lah, kom-lah goo brah,
Ahn an co-sherm, goon stree iss goon krah.
Veh-reen coo-ram, goon chron,
Ahn a gaol, goon nighv-jess iss goon dron.
Caid-rebh lah-dir, fahd ar veh-ah,
Lay lay-prec-hawn, goon ah-har, goon ah-ghrah.
Scots
Blessing and Alliance with the Leipreacháin
Spirits o' the trees, hear our plea,
We tak hand in hand, wi'oot guilt or decree.
We gie love an' respect, in abundance,
Wi' leipreacháin, dwellin' in the dark expanse.
Frae the mountains tae the glens,
We are one, under moon an' dens.
Each day, thegither forever we strive,
In harmony, nae strife an' nae drive.
We gie care, without harm,
In love, nae enmity, nae alarm.
Strong friendship, a' our days,
Wi' leipreacháin, nae change, nae delays.
Vowel Sounds
A: Like "ah" in "father" (e.g., "Bannochd" sounds like "Bah-nohkd")
E: Can be like "eh" in "bed" or "ay" in "say" (e.g., "Speer" sounds like "Spay-er")
I: Often sounds like "ee" in "see" (e.g., "Caidreabh" sounds like "Caid-rebh")
O: Can be like "oh" in "boat" or "aw" in "saw" (e.g., "croo-van" sounds like "kroo-vahn")
U: Like "oo" in "food" (e.g., "goo" sounds like "goo")
Consonant Sounds
C: Always hard like "k" (e.g., "Caidreabh" sounds like "Caid-rebh")
D: Softly pronounced, similar to the English "d" but lighter (e.g., "doon" sounds like "doon")
G: Always hard like "g" in "go" (e.g., "gah" sounds like "gah")
L: A light "l", almost like a mix between "l" and "r" (e.g., "Lahv" sounds like "Lahv")
R: Rolled lightly (e.g., "Ree" sounds like "Ree")
S: Often sounds like "sh" before "e" and "i" (e.g., "Speer" sounds like "Spay-er")
Stress and Intonation
Stress: Generally falls on the first syllable in Gaelic words. For example, "Beannachd" stresses the "Bea-" part.
Intonation: Maintain a steady rhythm. Each line in the chant should flow smoothly, almost sing-song.
Practicing Common Phrases
"Beannachd is Caidreabh le na Leipreacháin"
Pronunciation: Bannochd iss Caid-rebh lay na Lay-prec-hawn
Tips: Focus on the hard "C" in "Caidreabh" and roll the "r" lightly.
"Spioradan nan craobhan, èisd ar dùrachd"
Pronunciation: Speer-ah-dan nan croo-van, eshd ar doo-rah
Tips: Make sure the "S" in "Spioradan" is sharp, and the "c" in "craobhan" is hard like "k".
"Gabhamaid làimh ri làimh, gun chiont is gun cionntachd."
Pronunciation: Gah-vah-maid lahv ree lahv, goon kee-ont iss goon keen-tah
Tips: Keep the vowels open and consistent. The "g" in "gun" is hard like "g" in "go".
"Bheir sinn gràdh is spèis, gu leòr, Ri leipreacháin,"
Pronunciation: Veh-reen grah-v iss spays, goo lor, Ree lay-prec-hawn
Tips: The "bh" in "Bheir" is like a "v" sound.
Practice Makes Perfect
Keep repeatin' these lines oot loud. Practice yer rolled "r"s, hard "c"s, and open vowels. Ye'll be soundin' like a proper Gaelic speaker in nae time. Dinnae get discouraged if it’s tricky at first; ye’re nae expected tae get it right awa’. Keep at it, ye daft bugger!