The Music of Annie Ebrel

[Abhaill]

Hi everyone,

I myself don't have any Breton whatsoever, but am so happy to be dabbling in the language via this subforum, thanks to the contributions so far offered here, and especially thanks to ennys.

I recently returned from a lovely three weeks in the Maritimes of Canada, specifically Cape Breton. While I was there (even the reason for my being threre) was to attend the Celtic Colours International Music Festival. (I'll post more about the festival in general in the Music forum.) While I was there I was fortunate to be able to attend a concert that included Annie Ebrel, a wonderful Breton singer.

I purchased her CD, Roudennoù, and I was delighted to discover all the lyrics in Breton and French in the CD booklet. I thought I might offer them here for ennys (or anyone else) to translate and/or comment upon, if you might be so inclined. Even just typing the words out, I'm seeing words I feel I recognize from French or from Gaelic and it's fascinating.

I'm just really happy to have something to finally contribute here!
~ Abhaill

[edited title because upon rereading the insert it seems that many of these songs are traditional or are written with/by others]


An teod milliget

Me zo ur plac’h yaouank ‘c’haloupat tro ar c’hêrioù,
Bep a deiz ha bep a noz ‘c’haloupat tro ar vro.

Bep a deiz ha bep a noz o redek ar filajoù
A partout lec’h a dremenan, me ‘mez butun da gano !

<< O met arsa ‘ta ma mignonez c’hwi zo un den gwall desket,
O kapabl oc’h da lâret din ar gwashañ tra zo er bed ?

Ar gwashañ tra ‘ta ma mignonez eo an teod milliget,
Na kaoz da veur ‘hini da vezañ kondaonet.

Gwell’ vez din kavet afer deus tri gi arajet
Evit ‘vez kavet afer deus an teod milliget. >>

[ennys]

Cool, Annie Ebrel

I only know two songs by her, but I like those...do not know this one.
Off course I want to translate it for you, but maybe it's nicer to wait for others to have a go first..

You also know Nolwenn Korbell? It's my favourite Breton singer/songwriter, and she also does her booklets bilingual..Yesterday, as I was in Gwened, I bought the only CD by her I was still missing, and it is great!

x
Ennys

[ennys]

I just came across this thread again, and as the breton subforum is once more a bit dead, I will try to translate the song

The cursed tongue
I am a young girl, running around the villages
Every day and every night running around the country

every day and every night passing the 'filajoù' (evening assemblies where people sing and tell stopries)
-and every where where I pass, I have 'tabacco' ('something') to sing!
<< O but hey, my friend, you are very instructed,
Are you capable to tell us the worst thing in the world ?

The worst thing, my friend, is a cursed tongue
that is cause to many to be condemned.

I'd rather deal with three angry dogs
Than have to deal with a cursed tongue. >>

xx
Ennys