Lashún Gatna “Beautiful Child”

Lashún Gatna or “Beautiful Child”, a song in the traditional Irish Traveller style written and sung by Jack Delaney. The dialect is An tSeiltis or Shelta, a hybrid mix of the Irish and English languages with the former serving as a base for the latter. The translated lyrics are below (with thanks to Jack).

“Beautiful Child

I have made my bed in many places,

places here and in England,

The best rest was the side of the river,

but the Guards made me move on.

The life of a Tinker is the best for me,

and like every man I need to eat,

So in towns to people singing for them,

and a couple of things sold – these I have done.

In Dublin town people look on and listen,

to old Tinker songs on roads and streets,

And some make fun and some give money,

to a voice singing resounding strong.

I have not stayed long in one place,

but in Dublin town indeed I have,

Most beautiful though are mountains and rivers,

but there is not work here to feed mouths.

Though a Tinker I am never married have I,

but the family of God I had to go with,

And I am satisfied like a full bottle,

for all the beautiful things that I see.

Some Tinkers think that the Tinkers are dead,

some others say it will never be the same,

But I am saying that everything is alive,

don’t be afraid young lad for no Devil is true.

Like an old man said in a song of goodness,

let your worries go past the side of you,

But don’t go to sleep though there is work to do,

open your eyes and see my beautiful child.