The Rowan's Lullaby

The raven flies o're yon Rowan tree

Where beneath your cradle lies

It's branches sing a gentle song

A haunting lullaby

It should be church bells that you hear

Not the Rowan's pagan song

But death reached you before the priest

Because he tarried long

'twas no room in the old church yard

For those untouched by holy drop

The brothers found you sinful, dear

But the Rowan received your cot

May the Virgin blessed hear my prayers

St. Anne and Margaret too

So when the judgement day has come

I shall sit in heaven with you

Until that day my Bonnie babe

Sweet may your slumber be

And rest in quiet humble peace

In the arms of the Rowan tree

In Gaelic 

Eitlíonn an fhiaigh o're yon Rowan crann

I gcás ina luíonn faoi bhun do chliabhán

Chanadh sé le craobhacha amhrán mhín

A amhrán ciúin

Ba chóir go mbeadh bells eaglais go éisteacht leat

Níl an Rowan Amhrán na págánacha

Ach shroich tú bás roimh an sagart

Mar gheall ar tarried sé fada

'twas aon seomra sa chlós eaglais sean-

Dóibh siúd a bhfuil tionchar ag titim naofa

Na deartháireacha fuair tú Nós Nua, daor

Ach fuair an Rowan do cot

Féadfaidh an Mhaighdean Bheannaithe cloisteáil mo ghuí

Naomh Anna agus Margaret ró-

Mar sin, nuair a bheidh an lá breithiúnas a thagann

Beidh mé ag suí sa spéir le leat

Go dtí an lá sin mo deas leanbh

Is féidir milis do codlah a bheith

Agus an chuid eile i síocháin humble ciúin

I arm an chrainn Rowan

Author's Note

This ballad was inspired by a Celtic song I once heard detailing a practice of early Christians in Europe. If a baby died before being baptized it was ruled that it could not be buried in a churchyard, so many parents turned to the pagan tradition of burying the dead under Rowan trees, a tree held sacred by the Celts.

NOTE: the Irish is a very rough translation, so forgive any missed words.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

This is a gem of a poem, and the history behind it makes it even more so. Very well-written, exudes a classic air.

[Elaenor Aisling]

Thank you very much!

[None]

This is amazing. I love the story, tradition, and lyrical quality of it is so perfectly woven. This piece has a mournful tone that speaks to the ages, that I find so peaceful, yet broken, yet whole. It makes you almost take more hope in the pagans than God. Truly an amazing piece. Sigh, so perfect.