Lyrics
Sleep a little, a little sleep
Sleep a little, a brief period of rest is encouraged
You to whom I give my love
Addressing someone beloved to whom the speaker expresses love
Son of Duibhne, a Dhiarmaid áin
Referring to the son of Duibhne, named Dhiarmaid áin
I will watch over you, uair ní hegail duit a bheg
Assurance of protection and care for Dhiarmaid
I will watch over you, a Dhiarmaid áin
Reiteration of the commitment to watch over Dhiarmaid
Sleep a little, you need not fear the least
Encouragement to sleep without worry or fear
The blackbird's voice will betray his coming
Warning about the blackbird's voice signaling something imminent
His heart is so cold in grief
Describing the blackbird's heart as cold, possibly indicating sorrow
I will watch over you, uair ní hegail duit a bheg
Reaffirmation of the commitment to protect Dhiarmaid
I will watch over you, a Dhiarmaid áin
Repetition of the pledge to watch over Dhiarmaid
Codail began, uair ní hegail duit a bheg
Commencement of sleep, emphasizing protection for Dhiarmaid
Far away there's a linnet singing
Describing a distant linnet singing, suggesting a longing or separation
Her fear makes her loathe to sleep
Highlighting fear preventing sleep for the linnet
Listen, a stag in the east is calling
Noting a stag in the east calling, implying restlessness or disturbance
His thoughts will not turn to sleep
Stating that the stag's thoughts hinder his ability to sleep
Parting the two of us is as the parting of children from one home
Expressing the difficulty of parting, akin to children leaving home
Parting the two of us is as the parting of body from soul
Drawing a poignant parallel between separation and the soul leaving the body
Codail began, uair ní hegail duit a bheg
Reiteration of the start of sleep, emphasizing protection for Dhiarmaid
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