John singing his Gaelic Christmas Song at the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Armed Forces Retirement Home, Washington, DC : Christmas 2004
NOLLAIG CHRIDHEIL
Verse #1:
Nollaig Cridheil!
Christmas bells are ringing.
Scotland's wee ones
Run merrily at play.
Nollaig Cridheil!
Everybody's singing,
For Iosa Criosd
Was born on Christmas Day!
Chorus:
Clanna nan Alba
Seinn Nollaig aimsir.
Children of Scotland
Sing of Christmas time.
Shona is dream uile.
Everyone is happy.
Cluig Nollaig bheir seinn.
Christmas bells will chime.
Verse #2:
Nollaig Cridheil!
Throughout the misty islands,
Clansmen and kith
Will gather, far and near.
Nollaig Cridheil!
It's time for feasts and stories.
Even furry beasties
Love this time of year.
Verse #3:
Nollaig Cridheil!
Our Christmas fire is cheering.
Outside the door,
The wintry winds are cold.
Nollaig Cridheil!
Opening our Bible,
Wee ones listen closely
While the tale is told.
Words and Music: ©Copyright November 5, 2004 by John Robert Mallernee
Author’s Note: "Ceud Mile Failte!" to Kith and Kin: Oh, with all the many Country/Western/Folk ballads I've composed, how loooong I have wished I could write a Christmas carol! Well, now I've finally gone and done it. Not only that, this is my SECOND Scottish song, AND it even has Gaelic words (which I hope I got correct)! I'm still not at the point where I can write a complete song totally in the Gaelic language, but someday, maybe...?
Clan Henderson Society of the United States of America
Greetings to Kith and Kin:
The above is a copy of the official certificate which I just received, designating me as the BARD of the Clan Henderson Society of the United States of America.
I consider it the greatest honor ever conferred on me, for William Shakespeare and Robert Burns were true bards, and I'm merely a "wannabee", an "undiscovered" amateur singer and songwriter, who truthfully stumbled into this vacant position because nobody else wanted the job.
God has truly blessed me beyond all expectations.
Thank you.
John Robert Mallernee
Bard of Clan Henderson