| Manx | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Tra ta’n gheay sheidey ta’n muir raisey | When the wind blows the sea is moving. | |
| Ben dwoaiagh ayns e stayd poosee. | An odious woman in her marriage state. | |
| Ta mac Syrack gra dy b’are lesh bagheymarish leion ny dragon na marish brout dy ven. | The son of Syrack says he would rather live with a lion or a dragon than with a brute of a woman. | |
| Shimmey gaue ta shin currit lesh ny hrooid. | Many dangers we have been brought through. | |
| Ta magher-chaggee, yn boayl dy phrowal foays yn chliwe. | The battle-field is the place to prove the goodness of the sword. | |
| Ny bee shiu eiyrit liorish garaghtee dy yannoo shen ny ta aggairagh. | Be not driven by laughter to do that which is wrong. | |
| Cha vel red erbee cur lesh pardoon ny s’leaie na arrys. | Nothing brings pardon sooner than repentance. | |
| Cha vel doghan erbee s’dangeyragh na dy ve fegooish tushtey cooie. | There is no disease more dangerous than to be without true knowledge. | |
| Soie shiu dial nyn ghree liorish yn ghrian dy ynrickys. | Set the dial of your heart by the sun of righteousness. | |
| Raad nagh vod graase Yee freayl shin cha vel E ard-chiarailys er choyrt shiu. | Where God’s grace cannot keep you His providence has not sent you. | |
| Coontee shiu yn laa shen caillit nagh vel shiu er yannoo peiagh erbee ny share. | Count that day lost you have made no one better. | |
| Ta paart jeh ny smeyr s’miljey gaase er ny jilg s’pirragh. | Some of the sweetest berries grows on the sharpest thorns. | |
| Shegin da’n chied kiarail eu ve jeh nyn ghree hene. | Your first care must be the care of your own heart. | |
| Ta padjer ayns y voghrey fosley yn giat jeh nyn gurrym son yn laa. | Prayer in the morning opens the gate of duty for the day. | |
| Bee shiu unnane jeh uinnagyn glen Yee dy vod yn gloyr echey soilshean ny hrooid. | Be one of God’s clean windows that his glory may shine through. | |
| My ta shiu ynrican jannoo dy chosney moylley ghooiney cha vel shiu thoilliu veg. | If you only do to win the praise of men you deserve none. | |
| Dooinney ta ec kione y cheilley cha nel eh ec kione y credjue. | Man at his wit’s end is not at the end of his faith. | |
| Cha vel red erbee cha lajer as meenid, as meenid yn troshid cair. | There is nothing so strong as meekness, and meekness is the right strength. | |
| Ta ny smoo dy gheiney caillit liorish ve ro cheeayllagh ny liorish ve ro veecheealagh. | There are more men lost by being too wise than being too unwise. | |
| Ta’n tushtey dy veaghey mie dy yannoo yn chooid share jeh dy-chooilley laa. | The knowledge how to live well is to make the best of every day. | |
| Ta Jee er choyrt yn keeill ayns yn seihll. | God has put the church in the world. | |
| Ta’n Jouyl er choyrt yn seihll ayns y cheeill. | The Devil has put the world in the church. | |
| Lhie dty laue er dy veeal my t’ou er ve smooinaghtyn er olk. | Lay thy hand upon thy mouth if thou hast thought evil. | |
| Veagh dooinney lhiastey yn çhaghter cair dy chur son y vaase. | A lazy man would be the right messenger to send for death. | |
| Bannit ta’n dooinney ta ben echey lesh hene. | Blessed is the man that has a wife of his own. | |
| Er craue | shivering | |
| Parkan dollan [Farkan-doallan] | Blindman’s-buff | |
| Ben y gheay | The wind’s wife | |
| Pollonagh [Pohllinagh] | Mear-maid [Mer-man] | |
| Tarroo ushtey | Water bull | |
| Bogane y chione doo | The spirit of the black head | |
| Bluggan sniaghtee | a snow-ball | |
| Moddey koie | a mad dog | |
| Kayt koie | a mad cat | |
| Shee dy row meroo [Shee dy row meriu] | Peace be with you | |
| Lhannoonyn | Twins | |
| Chloan chlinney [cloan chlienney] | Grandchildren | |
| Oash [oasht] | a lamb of a year old | |
| Tanny [thannit] | a young sheep two years old | |
| Tannaghey ny naphyn | Thinning the turnips | |
| Gartlhan ny onnaneyn ass yn arroo | Plucking the thistles out of the corn | |
| Yn ven wooar | the big woman | |
| Dooinney reeagh | a playful man | |
| Jolg ’syn eill | thorn in the flesh | |
| Cabbaragh | talkative | |
| gramysy | the charm the fairy-woman makes for witchcraft | |
| Tra ta ny kirree goaill fastee cha bee yn frass beayn, agh tra t’ad gyndyr ayns ny fliaghey bee eh beayn dy mie. | When the sheep go to shelter the shower will not be long, but when they browse in the rain it will be a long rain. | |
| Tra s’reeagh yn chloie, share faagail jeh. | When the play is the merriest is the best time to leave of[f]. | |
| Tra ta’ eayst girree rosh yn laa, t’ee dy mennick yn oie ny share. | When the moon rises before day it often makes the night better. | |
| Dooinney ta poost ta e hreishteil roit ass, | A man that is married have lost all his hope, | |
| Te kiart goll-rish muck lesh tedd er y chass. | He’s just like a pig with her leg in a rope. | |
| Ta dooinney ny ghaa er leaystey yn clean nagh row yn lhiannoo lesh hene. | Many a man has rocked the cradle [while] the child was not his own. | |
| Ta dooinney ny ghaa er ve bochillagh yn thammag as fer elley er ve teih yn mess. | Many a man has been herding the bush and another plucking the fruit of it. | |
| Ta’n gheay niar fowanagh cur mow dy-chooilley nhee. | ||
| The boisterous east wind destroys everything. | ||
| Kiuney dy bra, | Calm for ever, | |
| Gheay jiass snessey da. | south wind is the next to it. | |
| Lurg fliaghey hig çhirmid. | After rain it will be dry. | |
| Lurg sterrym hig kiuney. | After a storm it will be a calm. | |
| Laa’l Thomase ‘sy Nollick va toshiaght yn rio,Cha ren eh rieau theinniu gys la Bridjey noa. Cha ren eh rieau theinniu gys la Bridjey noa. | On St. Thomas’s Day the frost began and never thawed until New St. Bride’s Day. | |
| Ta eayst Jesarn ’syn ouyr dy-liooar cheayrt ayns shiaght bleeaney. | A Saturday’s moon in harvest is enough once in seven years. | |
| Taarneeyn geurey | Thunder in winter | |
| Yindysyn sourey. | Wonders in summer. | |
| Tra ta ny froggyn breh ayns çheshvean yn poyll, te cowrey jeh arragh chirrym. | When frogs spawn in the middle of the pool it is the sign of a dry spring. | |
| Agh tra ta ny froggyn breh ayns lhiatteeyn yn poyll, te cowrey jeh arragh fliugh. | But when frogs spawn in the sides of the poolit is the sign of a wet spring. | |
| Cha jean yn traa ny tidey furriaght da dooinney erbee. | Time and tide will wait for no man. | |
| Maynrey ta’n ven-phoosee ta’n ghrian solshean urree. | Happy is the bride the sun shines on. | |
| Cuirrey fiddler dy ve cuirrit un laa roish laa yn phoosee. | A fidlers invitation was to be asked to a wedding the day before the marriage day. | |
| T’ee son knittal as whaaley as scrabey puddaseynas lhissagh oo ve booiagh er lheid er y haartyn. | She’s for nitting and sewing and peeling potatoes, and I think you should be glad to catch the like. | |
| Dy hreishteil ayns dooinney ta neu-firrinagh ayns earish dy heaghyn, te myr feeackle brisht ascass ass ynnyd. | Trust in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint. | |
| Cha vod shiu teih yn mess dy vaynrys jeh yn billey dy veechairys. | You cannot pluck the fruit of happiness off the tree of unrighteousness. | |
| Ny bee shiu dy bragh nearagh dy ghoaill rish nyn voiljyn. | Never be ashamed to confess your faults. | |
| Cha vod dooinney erbee moylley Jee choud as t’eh geid voish e naboo. | No man can praise God while he steals from his neighbour. | |
| Yn dooinney ta cairagh rish Jee nee eh cairys rish dooinney. | The man that is right with God will do right with man. | |
| Yn ynrican ushtey casherick yn cappan dy ushtey feayr. | The only holy water is the cup of cold water. | |
| Ny jean builley yn kiaullane son padjer as eisht roie ersooyl. | Do not toll the bell for prayer and then run away. | |
| My oddys shiu jannoo mie jiu ny jean shiu liggey shaghey gys mairagh. | If you can do good today do not let by until tomorrow. | |
| Eshyn ta ginsh foiljyn sleih elley diu nee eh ginsh ny foiljyn euish dauseyn. | He that tells you the faults of others will tell your faults to them. | |
| Ta taitnyssyn yn seihll as sherruid seiyt ny vud oc. | The delights of the world is mingled with bitterness. | |
| Ny jean shiu loayrt gys nee shiu smooinaghtyn cre ta shiu kiart dy ghra. | Do not speak before thinking what you intend to say. | |
| Ny jean shiu jerkal rish veg voish yn seihll shoh,as nee yn annym eu goaill solley jeh shee. | Don’t expect anything from this world and yoursoul shall enjoy peace. | |
| Ta gioot dooble tra te currit lesh eddyn ghennal. | A gift is double when it is given with a smiling countenance. | |
| Cha vel dooinney ooasle veg mannagh vel eh cummit seose liorish obbraghyn mie. | A noble man is nothing unless held up by good works. | |
| Ta’n breag s’baney va rieau er ny insh cha dooas yn ayr ec, yn jouyll. | The whitest lie that ever was told is as black as its father the devil. | |
| Te ny s’aasagh [= s’assey] dy gheddyn ayns boirey na dy gheddyn ass. | It is easier to get in bother than to get out. | |
| Cre-erbee cha lajer as t’ou ayns dty aigney hene, ny jean bragh lhaih drogh lioar. | However steady as you may be in your own mind never read a bad book. | |
| Tra ta lhiannoo cosney aigney mie e ayr as e voir te cairagh da dy gheddyn eh. | When a child wins the goodwill of his father and mother it is right for him to get it. | |
| Tra ta dooinney giarrey da hene t’eh dy mennick giarrey y vair hene. | When a man cuts for himself he often cuts his fingers. | |
| Bee shiu meen fo aggairyn bee dy-chooilley unnane jeu jeant kiart ayns beaynid. | Suffer wrongs with meekness, everyone of them shall be made right in eternity. | |
| Padjer yn saagh ta shin cur lesh [= cur lhien]ushtey veih yn creg ayn. | Prayer is the vessel in which we carry water from the rock. | |
| Te mie dy ve toiggalagh, agh te ny share dy ve graihagh. | It is good to be knowledgeable but better to be lovable. | |
| Ta seaghyn gaase liorish boandyrys, ta seaghyn marroo ayns traa s’girrey na obbyr. | Sorrow grows by nursing, sorrow kills sooner than work. | |
| Ny jean shiu foshley nyn meeal ayns folliaghtyn sleih elley. | Do not open your mouth in other people’s secrets. | |
| Ren shickerys Yoseph son yn chairys troggal eh gys stoyl reeoil Egypt. | Joseph’s steadfastness in righteousness set him on the throne of Eygpt. | |
| Ta credjue sauaill shin agh ta shickerys jannoo shiu magh. | Faith saves us but assurance satisfies. | |
| Cha nee shen ny ta shin goaill seose, agh shen ny ta shin cur seose ta jannoo shin berçhagh. | It is not that which we take up, but that which we give up that makes us rich. | |
| Jean shiu laboraght as farkaght; ta traa creenagh yn arroo, agh cha jean eh traaue ny magheryn. | Labour and wait, time ripens the corn, but will not plough the fields. | |
| Yn argid ta shin dellal lesh foddee mayd y choayl agh bee yn tashtey ain ayns niau ayns sauçhys. | The money we are dealing with we may lose but our treasure in heaven will be in safety. | |
| Gow shiu aggle ynrican dy yannoo mee-chredjue. | Fear nothing but unbelief. | |
| Cha jean yn mainshter cur shin ass yn schooyl cre erbee cha stagilagh as ta shin. | The master will not put us out of the school however stupid we are. | |
| Foddey voish my hooil, agh faggys da my chree. | Far from my eye, but near to my heart. | |
| Ta beaghey follan er ny yoaldyn da throaltee Zion, arran oarn as ushtey veih yn chibbyr gell. | There is wholesome food promised to the travellers of Zion, barley bread and water from the well-spring. | |
| Ta un irriney ta dooinney cummal seose ayns y vea ny share na thousane t’eh dy loayrt. | One truth that a man holds up in his life is betterthan thousands that he has spoken. | |
| Tra ta’n ghrian ersooyl, cha vod ooilley ny cainleyn ayns yn seihll jannoo soilshey yn laa. | When the sun is gone all the candles in the world cannot make daylight. | |
| Cha vell sauchys erbee my ta shin gholl orlagh harrish yn chaglagh. | There is no safety if we go one inch over the boundary. | |
| Myr smoo vees er yn tailley, shen myr smoovees yn eeck. - Fargher. | Myr smoo vess er yn taley shen myr smoovess yn eeck. | |
| Ny smoo vees er y tailley, ny strimmey vees yn eeck. - Cashen. | The more that’s on the tally the more will be the pay. | |
| Te ny s’aashagh dy akin kerrey ghoo ayns yn oie ny keyrrey vane. | It is easier to see a black sheep in the night than a white one | |
| Laa’l Moirrey ny gianle,Lieh foddyr, lieh aile. | St. Mary’s day | |
| Lieh foddyr, lieh aile. | half fire, half hay. | |
| In old times there was men going about to see if the farmers had fodder enough for the cattle but there is no such thing now. | ||
| Va Yernee claghtey gholl mygeayrt tasteragh da ny erinee. | Irish men used to go about trashing for the farmerswith flails. (lesh soostyn) | |
| Va Juan bogh ny veshtal | ||
| Cha rou eh rieu mie | ||
| Ve nish cheau yn traa | ||
| Marish Joney ny lhie. | ||
| Oie ennyd bee dy vinnyd laane. | Ash Wednesday Eve your runnet* will be full. | |
| Tra ta kiap [cainle] lostey ec dagh kione cha jean ee shassoo agh tra gherrid. | When a candle burns at both ends, it will not last but a short time. | |
| Ver oo enney er drogh inneen liorish e sooill daney; freayll [ freill] fo ee as ny cur rouyr reamys j’ee ny ver ee lesh [lh’ee] oo gys nearey. | ||
| Ta dooinney ny ghaa er ve daunsyn as fer elley geeck yn fiddler. | Many a man have been dancing and another paying the fidler. | |
| Cha vell monney maynrys eck dhoinney ta ayns yn seihll ny lomyrken. | There is not much happiness at a man who is in the world alone. | |
| Myr s’dhoo s’graihagh. | The blacker the lovinger. | |
| Myr snessey d’an craue, s’millish yn eayl. | The nearer the bone the sweeter the flesh. | |
| Gha nagh vell shin graihagh er faasnygyn shegin dosin ve graihagh er yn fallagh faase. | Though we do not love weaknesses we must love the weak. | |
| Ta ny dangeeryn smoo ain lie follyt ayns reddyn beggey. | Our greatest dangers lie hidden in little things. | |
| She ynrican tra ta peccah marroo, ta shin ghoaill toshiaght dy ve bio. | It is only when sin is dead that we begin to live. | |
| Cha vel dooinney ny noo liorish loayrt goan nooghyn. | A man is not a saint for speaking saints’ words. | |
| Cur jeed yn çhenn ghooinney as ny jean eh y choamrey lesh garmad noa. | Put off the old man and do not clothe him with a new garment. | |
| Creenaght yn seihll shoh, yn greie share ta fittal yn joul. | The wisdom of this world is the best tool that fits the devil. | |
| Dy credjal Jee ta shen yn keeayll smoo casherick. | To believe in God is the holiest wisdom. | |
| Ta cooinaghtyn yn chree ny share na cooinaghtyn yn chione. | The remembrance of the heart is better than the remembrance of the head. | |
| Quoi erbee sallish ve yn preçhoor foddee shiu geashtagh rish Jee. | Whosoever may be the preacher you can listen to God. | |
| Cre erbee t’an Chiarn gordraill ta dhonney kialt dy yannoo. | Whatsoever the Lord commands man is bound to do. | |
| Shen y fa ta mee cur tastey nagh vel nhee erbee share ne son dhonney dy ghoaill gerhagh ayns y obraghyn hene son shen y chronney. | Wherefore I perceive there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his portion. | |
| Son quoi lesh eh dy akin shen ny vees ny yei. | For who shall bring him to see what shall be after him. | |
| Myr s’dhoo yn feeagh yow eh sheshey. | Black as the raven is he will find his fellow. | |
| Myr s’koie yn mwaagh, fuirree eh rish y heshey. | Wild as the hare is he will find his fellow. | |
| Oie dorraghey yn traa share dy gholl dy hooree. | The dark night is the best time to go a courting. | |
| Tra ta’n gheay jiass cheet ayns thummaghyn te cowrey jeh sterrym. | When the south wind comes in gusts it is a sign of storm. | |
| Tra te jiarg ayns yn shiar ayns y voghrey, te cowrey jeh fliaghey as geay. | When the sky is red in the east in the morning it is a sign of wind and rain. | |
| Tra te jiarg ayns yn sheear ec croymmey ny greiney te cowrey jeh laa aalin laa ny vairagh. | When it is red in the west at sunset it is a sign of a fine day tomorrow. | |
| Fastyr jiarg as moghrey glass | Evening red and morning grey | |
| Cowrey jeh aalid as çhiass. | Is a sign of a fine day. | |
| Cha vel peccah dy bragh cur naardey agh yn boayl te reill. | Sin never destroys but the place where it reigns. | |
| Dy yannoo peccah noi leigh, te daanys, | To sin against law is impudence, | |
| agh dy yannoo e noie graih te dwoaieagh. | But to sin against love is hateful. | |
| Cha vel un peccah sauail voish peccah elley. | One sin does not save from another. | |
| Ny cappanyn sharroo va shin streeu dy scughey ersooyl voin, ta cummal ny medshin smoo ta shin feme jeh. | The bitter cups we strove to remove from us holds the medicine we are most in need of. | |
| Cha vod deiney erbee yannoo laue assee da’n ghoo mie ayd agh oo hene. | No man can do much harm to your good name but yourself. | |
| Ta imbagh cour dy chooilley nhee. | For everything there is a season. | |
|
“Son dy chooilley nhee ta imbagh cooie.”
Ecc. iii. i
| ||
| Cha vod shiu jannoo mie da sleih elley fegooish jannoo mie diu-hene. | You cannot do good to other people without doing good to yourself. | |
| My ta’n jouyll er leaystey shiu dy chadley, brie shiu jeh Jee dy hyndaa harrish yn chlean. | If the devil has rocked you to sleep ask God to turn over the cradle. | |
| Ta ny pavyren skeeal ginsh dooin dy chooilley hoghtyn dy vel raaid ny droght yantee dhollee. | The newspapers tells every week that the way of transgressors is hard. | |
| Ny jean shiu dy bragh pardaill roosyn ta shiu graihagh orroo fegooish focklyn graihagh. | Never part with those you love without loving words. | |
| Foddee ny jean shiu meeiteil ad arragh. | Perhaps you will not meet them again. | |
| Dooyrt shenn ven-treoghe ayns y thie beg ny lomarcan:- yn aght share dy chooinaghtyn er Jee, te dy yarrood shin-hene. | An old widow said in her little house alone. The best way to remember God is to forget ourselves. | |
| Ta peccah stampit fo chosh jannoo aarey dy chlamberagh gys niau. | Sins trampled underfoot makes a ladder to climb to heaven. | |
| Dooinney nagh vel creeney ayns e obbraghyn cha vel eh creeney ayns e chredjue. | A man that is not wise in his works is not wise in his faith. | |
| Yn preaçhoor ta jannoo taitnys da deiney t’ehh myrgheddin stroieder anmeeyn. | A preacher that delights men is also a destroyer of souls. | |
| Yeearree shiu dy yannoo cairys as nee Jee chur grayse diu dy yannoo cairagh. | Desire to do rightly [right] and God will give you grace to do right [rightly]. | |
| Te ny share dy ve cooinit ayns padjer dooinney mie na dy ve cooinit ayns çhymney dooinney berçhagh. | It is better to be remembered in the prayer of a good man than to be remembered in the will of a rich man. | |
| Nee yn irrynys ta cummal ayndin, soilshean magh ayns nyn mea. | The truth that dwells in [us] will shine out in our life. | |
| Reih shiu eshyn son carrey ta griennagh shiu gys obgraghyn mie. | Choose him for a friend that provokes you to good works. | |
| Myr ta shiu jerkal dy ve ymmyrkit lesh shiu hene jean shiu gymmyrkey lesh sleih elley. | If you wish to be let with yourself then let with other people. | |
| Te yn ghraih cair dy chur dwoaie da shen ta stroie anmeeyn. | The right love is to hate that which destroys souls. | |
| Tra ta’n ghrian soishean, yn traa dy yannoo seose traagh. | When the sun shines is the time to make up hay. | |
| Moyll yn laa mie fastyr. | Praise the fine day in the evening. | |
| Myr smoo ta’n çheshaght smoo ta’n ghennalys, agh myr sloo ta’n çheshaght smoo ny ayrnyn. | The more company the merrier, but the less the company the bigger shares. | |
| Ta er ny ghra dy vel muck doo fakin yn gheay. | It is said that ablack pig sees the wind. | |
| Te er ny ghra dy vel saunt shiaght saggyrtyn ayns dooinney gyn cloan as dy vel saunt shiaght erinnee ayns dy chooilley haggyrt. | It is said that the greed of seven parsons is in a man without children, and the greed of seven farmers in every parson. | |
| Cur mer ner ben aeg aalin er boaley | Behold a fair young woman on a wall. | |
| Ta’n ushag s’moghey theiy yn chied dhiane. | The earliest bird catches the first worm. | |
| Cur dty chass er dhiane as nee e chyndaa ort. | Put thy foot on a worm and it will turn on thee. | |
| Ben ta freeal sheshaght rish deiney elley cha nel ee coontey monney jeh yn donney eck hene. | A woman that makes companion [keeps company] with other men thinks little of her own man. | |
| Baase mraane bishaghey kirree. | Deaths of wives and good luck for sheep will make a man rich. | |
| Eshyn ta jannoo daa çhaghteraght lesh yn un jurnah ta marroo daa ushag lesh yn un chlagh. | He that makes two errands with one journey is said to kill two birds with one stone. | |
| Ta moddey bio ny share na lion [leion] marroo. | ||
| Te er ve grait nagh vel deiney Manninagh dy bragh creeney er gys laa lurg yn vargey. | It has been said that Manxmen are never wise until the day after the fair. | |
| Tra ta earpyn ben throggal b’ee gaase rouyr. | When a woman’s apron rises she is getting fat. | |
| Ta ny shelgeyryn mennick gholl mygheayr ec yn ollick. | The hunters often go about at the Christmas. | |
| Ta y aigney hene eck donney, agh ta y raad hene eck ben. | A man has his own will, but a woman has her own way. | |
| Ta mraane as deiney aegey feer aarloo dy insh folliaghtyn ta toiggal oc jeu trooid yn fardalys dy vel ad er ve treishtit lhieu; ny treisht shiu veg jeu myr ta shiu abyl scapail eh. | Women and young men are very apt to tell what secrets they know from the vanity of having been trusted. Trust not of these whenever you can help it. | |
| Yn dooinney ta jeeaghyn lurg e obbyr hene ta palçhey echey dy yannoo dy reayll dy-chooilley nhee kiart. | The man that minds his own work has plenty to do to keep everything right. | |
| My yinnagh shiu gaase boght gyn-yss diu, cur shiu labyreeyn gys obbyr as ghow shiu dty chadley. | If you would grow poor without knowing it put labourers to work and go [you] to sleep. | |
| Eshyn ta jannoo ny smoo jiu na v’e chliaghtey t’eh kiarail dy volley shiu ny laghal [laccal] shiu. | He that makes more of you than he is wont either means to cheat you or wants you. | |
| Ta çhengey ny host ny share share na olk y ghra. | A still tongue is better than speaking evil. | |
| Yn ven ta cur streean er y chingey cha vel ee jannoo monney cardyrys. | The woman who puts a bridle on her tongue does not do much slander. | |
| Tra ta’n gheay voish yn niar as yn fliaghey voish yn neeyr cha vel fastee rish cleigh ny hummag. | When the wind is from the east and the rain from the west there is no shelter by hedge or bush. | |
| Choud as hig yn ghrain stiagh laa Breegey hig yn snaghtey stiagh rosh laa baldyn. | Far as the sun shines in on it St. Bride’s day so far will the snow come in before May day. | |
| Ollick vog rellick vak. | A wet Christmas a fat churchyard. | |
| Scaa bogane ushag. | The ghost of a scare-crow. | |
| Lhannan shee - benn ferish va claghtey lhantyn gys deiney. | Lhannan shee - a fairy woman that used to haunt men. | |
| arraghey baash. | Death stroke. | |
| Bwane. | cowhouse. | |
| Thie ollee | cows’ house. | |
| Thie ny ghabble. | Horses house, stable. | |
| Ymmyrchagh. | needful. | |
| Lon oaiagh | swearing, take an oath. | |
| Tashtaghyn. | Treasures. | |
| Recortyssyn | Chronicles. | |
| Roosteyryn. | Robbers. | |
| Quing dy ghew. | A yoke of oxen. | |
| Brelheig | The straw saddle for a horse to cary a sack of meal or corn on. | |
| Shlishaghyn cabbyl. | The homes [hames] for the horse. | |
| Moddey breck. | A spotted dog. | |
| Stouyr | A great big stick, a club. | |
| Streean volgagh. | martingale. | |
| Bunney flaghad [phlaggad]. | Sheaf of oats. | |
| Arran shoggle. | Rye bread. | |
| Scaddan chorrey. | Spawn herrings. | |
| Ghobbag doayll. | Blind dog-fish. | |
| Ta jeih thousaneyn jeh ny foaljyn smoo ta ayns nyn nabooyn jeh ny sloo dy voadyn dooinyn ny yn foayl sloo ta aynin hene. | Ten thousand your neighbours’ faults are of less consequence to us than the least fault in ourselves. | |
| Quoi erbee ta shirrey son charrey ta fegoish foayl cha vod eh dy bragh gheddyn eh. | Whoever seeks a friend without imperfections will never find what he seeks. | |
| Cha vel scansh y voddee ort. | As careless as the dogs. [ There is not the regard of the dogs on thee.] | |
| Marish y chenndeeagh ta creenagh. | With the ancient is wisdom. | |
| S’loayr yn oie gys moghrey. | Long is the night till morning. | |
| Maidjey schelt nee cur daa wooilley as minnag. | A split stick will give two blows and a nip. | |
| Beagey kymagh, arran as ushtey. | A captives meat, bread and water. | |
| Ta’n ollick cheet lesh gien feer vie. | The Christmas comes with merry cheer. | |
| Cadjin. | Common. | |
| Nastee. | Freely. | |
| Fyneragh. | Shelter or shadow from the sun. | |
| Marvaanag | Feeble. | |
| Bolvane. | Stupid. | |
| Ghall baaraagh. | A great storm washing the limpets off the rocks. | |
| Stot breck. | A spotted ox. | |
| Ghoar vane. | A white goat. | |
| Daa yerrey maidjey losht. | Two ends of a burnt stick. | |
| Arroo correy. | Corn for sowing. | |
| Gilley mooar ny gheayee. | The big boy of the wind - the captain of the faeries. | |
| Bluggan snaie olley. | A ball of woollen yarn. | |
| Chaar sleeade | Dragging behind [sledge car]. | |
| Bart connee. | A load of heath. | |
| Cronk ny skeeal. | The story hill. | |
| Cronk ny arrey. | [The hill of watching] the watching hill. | |
| Gheay varrey. | Wind from the sea. | |
| Gheay jeh halloo. | Wind off the land. | |
| Thie lhonney. | An ale house. | |
| Jogh lune. | Manx ale [ale-drink]. | |
| Ben oast. | A landlady in an ale house. | |
| Goltwoaie. | Rainbow. | |
| Cronk shynnagh. | Fox hill. | |
| Chibbyr yn tarroo. | The bull’s well. | |
| Poghey ponrey. | A sack of beans. | |
| Poghey pisheyragh. | A sack of peas. | |
| Markiagh Frangagh. | A French ride, a ride upon a person’s shoulders with your legs round his neck. | |
| Kialt* lesh maidjey. | Tied with a stick. | |
| Bardooney | Crying [wailing] | |
| Dhobberan | Lamentation | |
| Feealey ny chaisht | Easter hollie [holiday] | |
| Lhanoo thammag | An illegal child. | |
| Gressey, jannoo bravag. | Roasting, making a kela* when the women sit at the fire to warm and lift their clothes up to their knees that’s the bravag or kill.* | |
| Shen vaadey. | An old boat. | |
| Possash fishyragh. | Pease pudding. | |
| Praasyn broojyt. | Mashed potatoes. | |
| Bainey ghort. | Buttermilk. | |
| Rea lhea vaggleagh. | A ram with one stone. | |
| Gollan gheaye. | The swallow. | |
| Eean raip. | The corn creak. | |
| Skybyltey. | Swift. | |
| Vadran. | Morning. | |
| Joush dy loamyrt. | Shears to clip sheep. | |
| Creegane connee. | A hook to pull heather. | |
| Yiarn foalder as* | Scythe. | |
| Dooinney ommyjagh. | A foolish man. | |
| Brishey poosey. | Committing adultery. | |
| Gheig paaig. | Stealing a kiss. | |
| Thranlaase as olkys. | Ravening as wickedness. | |
| Boi-rioee. | Live frost. | |
| Aslantyn. | Sicknesses. | |
| Meevialys. | Rebellion. | |
| Fliaghey moir gheay. | Rain is the mother of wind. | |
| Atchym ayns cheer ny bioee. | Terror in the land of the living. | |
| Cha sur oo ben dy insaghey. | Thou shalt not suffer a woman to teach. | |
| Ta dooinney ayns graih ny blebbin, as shen dooinney ayns graih te yn blebbin smoo jeh ooilley. | A man in love is a fool, and an old man in love is the worse of fools. | |
| Eshyn ta jannoo siyr dy ve berchagh cha bee eh gyn loght. | He that makes haste to be rich shall not be without sin. | |
| Tra ta’n chibbyr roie chyrrym ta fyss ain cre ta laghal ushtey. | When the well runs dry we know what is the want of water. | |
| Ny gow toshaght lesh obbyr laa fegooish brishey dy chrostey. | Never begin a day’s work without your breakfast. | |
| Baaraill ommyjagh ta ayr boghnyd. | Foolish speaking is the father of poverty. | |
| Bollan oie houney. | The bollan for holly ’eve | |
| Red broagh. | Dirty thing. | |
| Red glen. | A clean thing. | |
| Lyrg immanagh. | A drover’s staff. | |
| Cloie ny minueyn | Playing funny tricks. | |
| Dooinney yn ease. | The man in the moon. | |
| Yn ven share shenney lhat. | The woman you love the best. | |
| Yn ven s’aalin ayns y cheer. | The fairest woman in the country. | |
| Fainagh aileagh. | Fiery chariot. | |
| Earkon. | Lapwing. | |
| Trutlag | Starling. | |
| Drean beg. | Little wren. | |
| Chloan ny moddey. | Children of dogs. | |
| Ta famlagh lhassagh mie son y thalloo. | Sea weeds is good manure for the land. | |
| Gubyl ny gubblyn. | An article or articles of clothing. | |
| Cullee vie. | Good tackling. | |
| Conney sceeb. | Heath* for besoms. | |
| Morrey ny gingle. | Candlemas day. | |
| Thoushan. | A measuring line. | |
| Kione baagh kerragh. | A sheep’s head. | |
| Bwooil eh lesh un clood jyss. | Hit him with the dish cloth. | |
| Abbyr abb as ny gleashee dy cab. | Say abb without stirring your chin. | |
| Rumbyl yn garmad. | The border of the garment. | |
| Froosagh. | Prudent. | |
| Clavenagh. | Windy. | |
| Fowanagh. | Blasting wind. | |
| Feearagh. | Cold. | |
| Gerrysh | Grinning. | |
| Gymmyrt. | Rowing. | |
| Gaunylsagh. | Spiteful. | |
| Chriogyragh | Croaking. | |
| Shilternee. | Neighing. | |
| Mardragh. | Adulterer. | |
| Streebagh. | Whore. | |
| Marvaamys. | Feebleness. | |
| Te jeaghyn feer crowagh er yn cheayn. | It looks very dirty on the sea. | |
| Fargagh. | Cross. | |
| Ushtey farran. | Water from a stream. | |
| Ushtey roie. | Running water. | |
| Fyddagh. | Hateful. | |
| Fu yerrey. | After all. | |
| Feeiah fyrryn. | A male deer. | |
| Feeiah bworrin. | A female deer. | |
| Faadane. | Lonely. | |
| Bworrinagh. | Female. | |
| Jannoo bingys. | Making music. | |
| Jymmyltagh. | Wasteful. | |
| Broo ashyn. | Broosing gorse. | |
| Lhemyder faiyr. | Grasshopper. | |
| Ommjys. | Foolishness. | |
| Soiljey londyrnee. | A lantern glimpse. | |
| Solaghey laue. | A bribe. | |
| Sturey rosh yn gheay. | Steering before the wind. | |
| Camlaagagh. | Perverse. | |
| Ayns saynt as follysyd. | In covetousness and greed. | |
| Rauanys as peccah. | Wantonness and sin. | |
| Thooillaghyn dy ushtey. | Floods of water. | |
| Chreeghyn mee viallagh. | Disobedient hearts. | |
| Craidollagh. | Sarcastic. | |
| Mooaralagh. | Proud. | |
| Mooaralys. | Pride. | |
| Thom Hal moddey. | Tom Hal - dog. | |
| Potassyn feearey. | Cold potatoes. | |
| Poshagh fisheragh. | Pease pottage. | |
| Grisnews. | Milk boiled after the second time [of milking] after a cow has calved. It thickens like a pudding. | |
| Dooinney ny frytlagyn. | Ragman. | |
| Phoinoddery. | Satyr. | |
| Barn caggee. | Helmet. | |
| Pot airkagh | Kettle. | |
| Co-chaslys. | Likeness. | |
| Jymmoose. | Indignation. | |
| Billey unjin. | Ash tree. | |
| Shibber eddrym. | Light supper. | |
| Chrau ghlagh. | Wild sage. | |
| Yllymer. | Wormwood. | |
| Nahaue. | Hemlock. | |
| Slaggan shlieu. | Foxglove. | |
| Eggey yn dhoo olley. | The spider’s web. | |
| Sonnys. | Abundance. | |
| Shen laa yn ollick. | Old Christmas day. | |
| Laa yn ollick beg. | Little Christmas day or New Year’s day. | |
| Ta innagyn Niau chyndaa er jeushanyn dy ghraih. | The windows of Heaven turns on hinges of love. | |
| Shee yn chibbyr ta’n strooan dy gherjagh roie voish. | Peace is the well which the stream of joy runs from. | |
| Yn beeal tutler poagey scrieu yn jowl. | A gossip’s mouth is the devil’s postbag. | |
| Adsyn ta cur rassynyn dy aigney mie nee ad buin* fouyr dy ghraih. | They that sow seeds of kindness will reap a harvest of love. | |
| Cha vel eh yeesteyr nagh vel tayrtyn veg. | He is not a fisherman that catch nothing. | |
| Te ny s’dollee dy ghoill toshaght eck yn trass ooar ny eck yn ched ooar. | It is harder to begin at the third hour than at the first hour. | |
| Ta dooinney creeney smooinaght ooilley ny te gra, agh t’an omodan gra ooilley ny te smooinaght. | A wise man thinks all he says, but a fool says all he thinks. | |
| Tra te dhinney ghobbyragh dy cairagh ta nyn daitnys gaase ass nyn obbyr. | When men are rightly occupied their amusement grows out of their work. | |
| My ta sleih jannoo shen ny ta cairagh lesh jeenid* ayns tra bee e taitnys daue. | If people zealously do what is right, in time to come they like doing it. | |
| Chouds ta shin shirrey chaarjyn noa cum shiu gys y çhen. | While you seek new friends cultivate the old. | |
| Cha lhissagh dhonney erbee ve nearagh dy ghoaill rish y oyl tra t’eh er ve camm cre* te agh gra ayns ghoan elley dy vel eh ny s’creeney jiu ny ve jea. | A man should never be ashamed to own his fault when he has been wrong, which is only saying in other words that he is wiser to-day than he was yesterday. | |
| Yn taitnys smoo ayns bea te jannoo shen t’an sleih elley gra nagh vod mayd. | The great[est] pleasure in life is [in] doing what people say you cannot do. | |
| Cha vel annoonydyn shen eash oyr cooie son geraghtee niar* as shegin daue ve yn ayrn ain ooilley eck y jerrey. | The weaknesses of old age are not a fit subject for laughter since they must at last be the portion of us all. | |
| Cha vel cairys jannoo assee da dhoinney erbee. | Right does no harm to any man. | |
| Bannyt adsyn ta ruggyrt bworryn, | Blessed are they who are born females, | |
| T’ad sauchey veih dagh gheay as durryn. | They are safe from every wind and tempest. | |
| Te ny share dy farkiagh er baare faarkey ny er keam relcey. | It is better to wait for the top of a wave than for the churchyard style. | |
| Cha nel shoh boall yn fea ain. | This is not the place of our rest. | |
| Te ny share dy ve boght as onneragh ny dy ve berchagh as breagagh. | It is better to be poor and honest than to be rich and lying. | |
| Cre erbee ny leighyn ta dheiney Mananagh jannoo t’ad shicker dy ve arrysagh jeh. | Whatever laws the Manxmen make they are sure to rue the same. | |
| My hiaght mynney mollagh ort. | My seven small curses on thee. | |
| Tra lhieys yn ghrian as tra irrys yn eean | When the sun sets [go to bed] and when the bird rises [get up] | |
| The old folks had this proverb about the time to go to bed and the time to get up. This was supposed to be after old Patrick’s Day which is the twenty eighth of March. | ||
| My vollagh dy braagh er Jem y gaue. My lostey loam er Jem y gaue. | My curse for ever on Jem the smith. My bare burning on Jem the smith. | |
| [This was said by the cat after being gelded by Jem who had been provoked at the mischief done by the tomcat to his platters in the night.] | ||
| The cat then ‘sat on the wall near the house shouting all day, and Jem allowed that he understood what the cat was saying in the Manx language.’ | ||
| Piyr dy vragyn er my chassyn toshee as piyr dy phumpyn er my chassyn jeree, ve gholl shiar bair yn Rowaney cur aile ass my cloghyn baney. | ||
| Graih ben as y treisteil. | ||
| Scrieut sy joan nee ad falleal. | ||
| Kione lhea aalid shen ghinney as gloayr dhinney aagey agh nyn niart. | Hoary heads is the beauty of old men; and the glory of young men is their strength. | |
| Oauyd aalid ben. | Modesty is the beauty of a woman. | |
| Myr cliegeen dy airh auns stroin muickey myr shen ta ben aalin fegoois ymmyrkey mie. | As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman without discretion. | |
| Soiljey yn ghrain yn soilshey share ayns Neryn. | Sunlight is the best light in Ireland. | |
| Tra ta bayrn er Barrule yiow kione Vaghyl arn jeh shen. | When big Barrule will have a cap Maghol head will get share of that. | |
| Tra t’an snightey lhie er thie Bushel bee e tammylt rosh nee e thinnu.* | When the snow lies on Bushel’s house, it will be a while before it thaws. | |
| Shibbyr sidoor, mooin as gholl dy lhie. | A soldier’s supper, piss and go to bed. | |
| Cha vel giens ny burt baathey eck ny yeeasteyryn ayns ny laghyn shoh. ta ny shen clightaghyn ooilley roiet ass. | The fishermen have no balls or boat suppers nowadays. The old customs are all run out. | |
| Astan oor as eeym. | Fresh eel and butter. | |
| Jeagh ghillyn aagey sooirree nagh vel cur monney geeil. | Look on the young men courting that give but little heed. | |
| My yow ad ben lesh toghyr yn sleih ves* jiu pleeadeil. | If they get a wife with a portion people will talk indeed. | |
| Tra ta bwoillee er yn ghrian te toor fliaghey as gheay | When their is a circle on the sun it is a sgn of wind and rain. | |
| Te ny share dy yannoo mie ny te dy olk. | It is better to do good than it is to do evil. | |
| Tra ta’n laa gaas lauyr ta’n feeragh gaase ny strosey. | When the day lengthens, the cold strengthens. | |
| Tra t’an gheay twoaie sheedey te cowrey dy rio. | When the north wind blows it is a sign of frost. | |
| Sniaghtey as rio ny sleityn va fo. | The snow and the frost on the mountains were lost. | |
| Ta ymmydee dieney-cheayn mie ny chadley er grunt ny marrey. | Many good seamen are sleeping[in death] on the bottom of the ocean. | |
| Ta’n seihll shoh ny aasagh lhiayn. | This world is a wild wilderness. | |
| Ymmodee dheiney ymmodee aignaghyn. | Many men, many minds. | |
| Gha nagh vel dhonney son scrieu ne lhaih te booiagh lhioar ve sy hie ny yeih. | Though a man cannot write or read, he likes a book in his house indeed. | |
| Poost ben as esht streau cren aght yiow rea ree. | Marry a woman and then try how you will get done with her. | |
| Raad j’ee yn moddey yn cherrey. | Where the dog ate the sheep. | |
| Raad lhym y shynnagh. | Where the fox leapt. | |
| Obbyr as faill. | Work and wages. | |
| Obbyr as eaish. | Work and rest. | |
| Chabbyl markee. | A riding horse. | |
| Bock ghoar. | A he goat. | |
| Gilley ny ghabble. | Hostler. | |
| Piyr oshyr. | Pair of stockings. | |
| Frauyn y villey. | The roots of the tree. | |
| Gymmyltey chabble. | A horse stumbling from side to side. | |
| Chabbyl mingagh. | A bitey horse. | |
| Shen y fa my charjyn cha row myr shoh agh paart. | Therefore my friends there was like this but part. | |
| Ollaghyn er kione ny cray. | Swans on Clay Head. | |
| Bochil kerragh. | A shepherd of sheep. | |
| Chaglym mooar. | A big gathering. | |
| Gammanyn. | Lovers. | |
| Shioalteyr. | Steersman. | |
| Obbyr snaidey. | Needlework. | |
| Seyr lhuing | A ship carpenter. | |
| Fer oaylagh. | A pilot. | |
| Stuirder. | Steer’sman. | |
| Sheshaght chaggee. | An army. | |
| Schleioil. | Skilful. | |
| Raaid lane dy oghteeyn. | A road full of hills. | |
| Awin valloo. | A dumb river. | |
| Crow chabbil. | Horse’s shoe | |
| Shlig roak. | A scallop shell. | |
| Mathag maagagh. | Hermit crab. | |
| Juan y jaggad keere. | John the brown coat. | |
| Lhon dowin. | Deep glen. | |
| Titania ennym ben reign ny fereshyn. | Titania the name of the Queen of the fairies. | |
| Gymmagh. | Lobster. | |
| Muck arkagh. | Sow pig. | |
| Ark vuick. | A young pig. | |
| Parthon. | Crab. | |
| Troghernagh as plaiynt. | Grumbling and complaining. | |
| Scrissey fuygh. | Chipping wood. | |
| Saueal fuygh. | Sawing wood. | |
| Ta mee er gairey my vair. | I have cut my finger. | |
| Craue keel assyl. | The jawbone of an ass. | |
| Sturey. | A vessel’s rudder. | |
| Leodaghey. | Ashamed. | |
| Famman y gouney. | A heifer’s tail. | |
| Shirragh ny gark. | The hawk. | |
| Brigyn Cornaa. | Heights of Cornaa. | |
| Sharkiagh breck. | A spotted porpoise that travels much faster than a steamer and leaps out of the water six or seven times to the height of five or six yards. | |
| Margey muck. | A pig market. | |
| Boall fadane. | A lonesome place. | |
| Scheeb orroo. | A besom on them. | |
| Gare ny heihll orroo. | A short life to them. | |
| Kellagh dyn nearey. | Cock without shame. | |
| Strumpag ghaaney. | Impudent strumpet. | |
| Doosy rie | A brown maid. | |
| Byreen dy arran oarn. | A cake of barley bread. | |
| Ushag wooar rouyr ny oarn. | The big fat barley bird. | |
| Sollan, sollan saljys blass dy chooilley vee. | Salt, salt, saltness the taste of every meat. | |
| Dooyrt yn bogane ny cur eaie orryms as cha derryms eaie ort. | The fairy said don’t molest [meddle with] me. and I will not molest [i.e. meddle with] thee. | |
| Nee fer leeideil cabbyl gys yn ushety, agh cha vod jeih cur er giu. | One can lead a horse to the water but ten can not make him drink. | |
| Raaid te ymmydee fir coyrlee ta sauchys. | Where there is many counselors there is safety. | |
| Tra ta’n moddey cummal y amman eddyr y chassyn jerrey te jeaghyn dy vel e oolie. | When the dog keeps his tail between his hind legs it shows that he is guilty or disappointed. | |
| Ta shin cheau nyn draa mastey danjeeryn. | We spend our time in the midst of dangers. | |
| Tra t’an gheay coall y bree | ||
| Tha dagh nhee eck shee. | ||
| Va lhioar ec moor nagh reu rieu dhonney lheih. | ||
| More had a book that no man ever read. | ||
| [he had a virgin daughter] (Fargher’s explanation.) | ||
| Cre erbee yn ard t’an gheay shen laa sourey shen yn ard bee ee daa ayrn jeh’n vlien. | ||
| I fancy many of those old things never comes to pass now for they say the Island is gone further north than it used to be, and that will make a great difference in the weather. And the old folks lore must be wrong about the weather. | ||
| I have heard a yarn about an old lady that lived in a house by herself with one female servant. And she was pretty well off, and the maid servant was sleeping with her mistress. One night they heard the window getting opened and some person or persons coming in so they thought it was a burglar but they lay still in bed and pretended they heard nothing, but the old lady said to the maid aloud, Screeb my greem, my graih, neose as seose rish clash my hoaney. And she repeated that several times. But the burglars when they had got all they wanted went away and did not molest the old lady and the maid, but they plundered the house. A few days after that, the old lady sent the maid to the next village on some message and as she was going through the village she heard some one behind the wall saying, Screeb my greem, my graih, neose as seose rish clash my hoaney. She got to a place where the wall was lower, and she peeped over and there she saw a man that she knew very well. So she went on and did not take any notice but he called, Screeb my greem, my graih, neose as seose rish clash my hoaney, behind the wall as long as she was in hearing. So she knew that he was one of the burglars and when she got home she told her mistress about it and they sent word to the constables in the town to go and arrest this man. So he was taken and put in prison, and when his trial came on he confessed that he was guilty and told who was with him when he plundered the old lady’s house. So the other robbers were caught and sentenced to transportation for life. And it was through what the old lady said to the maid in their hearing, | ||
| Screeb my greem, my graih, neose as seose rish clash my hoaney. | Scratch my back, my love, up and down the hollow of my bottom. | |
| Ta mee er clashtyn ad gra er fakin yn ease noa yn ched cheayrt, “Dy bannee Jee yn ease noa, dy bannee Jee mish.” Troor cheayrtyn. | ||
| Nagh doghan erbee cheet orroo choad as vagh yn ease shen ayn. | ||
| Va naboo dou hene gra shen eck fakin yn ease noa choud as ve bio. | ||
| Ta mee slieu my corran dy gayre | ||
| Dy yiarrey yn coonlagh marish yn faiyr. | ||
| Dy labyragh fo çheas yn grain, | ||
| Gollish myr dy leien* sy cheayn, | ||
| Dy churt ny banneeyn fo hraie [inshore] | ||
| As paart dy lhie er yn laare vooie. | ||
| Ren Billy Bwee poosey ben jeay, shen ghoinney three feed as queig blieney dy eash. Ta shen scollag aig cummal yn Balley beg ain as te er volley ymmodee jeh ny mraane aegey. | ||
| Ta mee er clashtyn ny shen gheeney dy mennick gra, Lurg laa meayll mooar dy row daa faarkey gholl ayns unnane. | ||
| Ta ny sterrym gouree er ve feer throme ayns yn vlein shoh. | ||
| Feeagh dhoo, feeagh dhoo nagh vaik oo ny bochillyn? Ta’d ny hoie ghob ry ghob cooyl cleigh yn chlieu. [mountain hedge] | ||
| Ta mee er chlashtyn ny shen vraane ginsh da ny paitchyn mysh daa feeagh ren meeitteil cheayrt dy row, as ren fer jiu briagh jeh’n fer elley, “Cre’n naight te lhiat?” Dooyrt eh, “Ta’n bock bane marrow.” | ||
| “Vel eh rouyr, vel eh rouyr?” Dooyrt eh, “Ooilley ayns ouree, ooilley ayns ouree.” Esh v’eh arrysagh dy ren eh ginsh shen da. “Crauyn loam, crauyn loam,” dooyrt eh. | ||
| I have heard the old people say when going out of the house at a late hour, Shee Yee dy row marym [the peace of God be with me]; and going along the road if they got fearful, as I have felt myself many times my hair to stand on end and felt myself walking in the air not feeling the ground under my feet, without seeing or hearing anything. The old people used to say, Dy bee Jee eddyr ayms as dy chooilley groght red. [God be between me and all evil things.] I suppose only for the old practice learned from the father and mother we had not been thinking about ghosts and fairies when out late. | ||
| There are others in Cregneish that know far more of the old sayings than I do, and I have been asking them about it, but they never told me a sentence. | ||
| All this old nonsense is only vanity and vexation of spirit. | ||
| Cha vel mee er ve voish y thie booal erbee yn ollick shoh, son ta my lurgey feer ghonnagh. Tha shen sleih gholl rish shen chabbyl. Cha vel ad gys monney ymmyd. As ta nyn gherjyn gaase skee jiu, son dy vel ad ayns yn raaid roo, as feer vooiagh tra t’ad gheddyn rea roo. | ||
| When a person is over 70 years he is not of much account unless very healthy and strong. And the time afterward the wise faith* is only labour and sorrow - thulleeil as seaghyn. | ||
| The Manx fishermen used to call the mear-man [merman] yn gilley beg, the little boy, but the Manx name was Polonagh. | ||
| Tra vagh ad jannoo braghton dy arran corkey as eem as cheau magh eh. | When they saw one they made a buttercake of oaten bread and threw it out. | |
| Ta mee er clashtyn jeh dooinney ren cheet er unnane jiu er yn traie, as ren eh churt eh ayns y cheayn reesht. Ny lurg shen tra vagh sterrym er gerrey vagh yn polonagh cheet dy chur raue da as cha row eh ghoit ayns sterrym choad as v’eh gholl gys yn cheayn. | I have heard of a man that came on one of them on the shore and put him in the sea again. After that, when there was a storm near the mear man was always coming to inform him, and he was not caught in a storm as long as he went to sea. | |
| Ta’n ushag veg rie ersooyl gys yn chrow | ||
| Ny eeayn gys ny moiraghyn roie | ||
| Ta’n oie er yn aarkey lesh cho-chaslys grow | ||
| Dy gastey cheet voish y shiarhwoaie. | ||
| Ta fainagh ny ghrainey ersooyl sheer harrish oar | ||
| Gys faarkaghey lhean y sheer ass | ||
| Ta’n ease ayns y shiar er nirree ayns gloayr | ||
| as yn sheer ayns y coamrey glass. | ||
| [from Kinnish “Lament for the mother tongue.”] | ||
| Ta cheer dy vanrys ayn | There is a happy land | |
| Foddey, foddey, jeh | Far, far away, | |
| Raad ta nooghyn shassoo | Where saints in glory stand, | |
| Sollys fie ny laa. | Bright, bright as day. | |
| Raaid ta guyee ta check | ||
| Raaid ta mraane ta pleat | ||
| Raaid ta taleeyryn ta tollaghyn | ||
| As raaid ta seyr ta spollagyn. | ||
| Roie warree roie te yn skillen | ||
| s’deyrey ren shiu rieu cosney | ||
| Run granny run, it’s the dearest shilling that ever you won, the little boy said when his granny went for a hare before the hounds. | ||
| Ta’n niaragh er jeet lesh feearagh as rio | ||
| Ny shen cherree marroo as ny eeyn veggey bio, | ||
| O irree shiu yilleyn as ghow shiu dyn chlieu | ||
| Ta ny kerree fo niaghtee shen va nyn drayd* rieu. | ||
| Thie feer voal va jeant eck Jack | ||
| er raaid ny cloghyn garroo. | ||
| Fer ny three chosh* vess scoaldagh as losht | ||
| Lesh geeck er ny cabbyl marroo. | ||
| From a song by an old poet that lived at the side of Slieu Whallan. | ||
| Paying for dead horses meant paying for the men two or three times for the one thing. | ||
| Ta mee er clashtyn skeeal beg mysh saggyrt ren curt y vrichyn gys thaleir dy cherragh ad fastyr Jesarn as ren yn talier cur y vac thie lieu moghery Jedoonee. Myr ve er yn raaid gys thie yn saggyrt haink eh er edd shallon as ghow eh brichen yn saggyrt dy yeeley ny shellonyn ersool, as tra ve er gheddyn yn vill hie eh gys thie yn saggyrt lesh ny brichyn. Ren eh liggey shaghey marish ny shellonyn as ve tra da’n saggyrt dy gholl ayns yn keeil. Chur eh ny brichyn er ayns siyr as gow eh toshagh dy lheih ny padjeryn ayns y keeil, as ghow ny shallonyn toshagh dy cur nyn gahyn ayns y lheestyn as ghow eh toshagh dy lhemyragh as dy stambey as haink eh magh lesh ghoan nagh row cairagh dy ve loayrit ayns keeil. | ||
| Va’n ushag reish, v’ad gra, claghtey ghoaill ayns ny lhonteeyn as va’n lon-dhoo er ny sleityn. Dooyrt yn ushag reish rish yn lon dhoo dy row ny lhonteeyn ny share as ny s’fastee ny ne sleityn. As ren ad swopal. Va’n ushag reish dy gholl er ny sleityn as yn londoo dy gholl ayns ny lhonteeyn son traa gare. Tra va’n tra heose va’n ushag reish laghal cheet reesht gys ny lhonteeyn as cha row yn lon dhoo boiagh faagail ad, as rieu er dy hinney ta’n ushag reish geamagh “Vel oo cheet lon dhoo?” as ta’n lon dhoo gra, “cheet, cheet, cheet, cha jig dy bra.” | The ushag reish is a gray bird that lives on the top of the hills I never heard any name for them but ushag reish [ushag reaish, lit. bird of the waste, the mountain plover], they are very scarce at present I have not seen one of them for years. The lon dhoo is the blackbird. He lived on the hill tops once and the gray bird in the glens. They met sometime and the gray bird was telling the blackbird what a fine sunny place he had in the glens and wished to make an exchange for a short time. So they agreed, But the gray bird did not like the hill tops. But the black bird loved the glens and when the time was up, the gray bird was telling the blackbird to come back again, “Vel oo cheet lon dhoo, are ye coming blackbird?” And the blackbird was saying, “Coming, coming, coming, no never.” | |
| So the gray bird had to live on the hills and the blackbird has remained in the glens unto the present. | ||
| My grandfather has been telling me about them when I was a little boy. I remember him catching one of the young gray birds. It could not fly, but it could run very fast, and he had a great race to catch it. | ||
| Scarlet is called gorrym jiarg and scarleod in the Bible, and I have seen it printed liarbrock [leeah breck] in the Son of Sirack’s Book. | ||
| Quoi oddys ben ghresag vie y gheddyn son t’an leagh eck foddey erskin rubien? | [Who can find a virtous woman for her price is far above rubies?] | |
| Ta mish er clashtyn mysh three deiney ghow orroo dy hoiljagh c’red va yn red stroshey ayns yn seihll. Dooyrt yn cheid fer dy re feen son dy jeanagh feen cur er dhoinney jannoo nhee erbee. Dooyrt yn nah er dy re airh dy jannagh deiney red erbee son airh. Dooyrt yn trass fer dy re ben dy jeanagh dooinney red erbee son mraane as va eshyn coontyt dy ve kart. | ||
| C’red tow gholl? | ||
| Gholl gys schooayl. | ||
| Cred ta’n schooayl? | ||
| Ayns y chlieu. | ||
| Cred ta’n chlieu? | ||
| Boall ve rieu. | ||
| Ta’n ollick veg foyn vink* | ||
| Ta’n ollick vooar cooyl thie | ||
| Esht lhig dooin gholl er gys yn phurt | ||
| Son lane bolg dy yough vie. | ||
| I have heard tell of a woman saint that met the devil on a night when the ground was covered with snow, and he asked her some questions. - | ||
| “C’red ta ny skilley ny ny sniaghtey syn oie?” | ||
| [What is whiter than snow in the night?] | ||
| Dooyrt ee - “Ny skilley ny shen ta flaunys thie Yee.” | ||
| [Whiter than that is the effulgence of God’s house.] | ||
| “C’red ta ny smessey ny ben?” | ||
| [What is worse than a woman?] | ||
| “T’an moileyder broagh ny smessey ny shen.” | ||
| [The dirty tempter is worse than that.] | ||
| I have forgotten the rest of the dialogue. | ||
| The sumner of each parish used to get a sheaf of corn out of one hundred sheaves. They called it yn vonney sunderagh [the sumner’s sheaf.] And the clark of the parish church used to get four pence for every pair of horses in the parish. They called it yn fyt* shesheragh. Shesheragh was a pair of horses. And he had a penny for every house that let out smoke. They called it ping y jeagh [jaagh]. | ||
| Ta mee wishal Ollick gennal diu as blein vie noa, nyn foshag* lane dy argid as nyn molg lane dy yough leein.* | ||
| Children dying without being baptised, their ghosts used to be lamenting in the churchyard in the dead of night. | ||
| Some man was passing the church yard and he heard a little voice saying, Lhannoo dyn ennym mee, lhannoo dyn ennym mee [a child without a name I am, a child without a name I am.] And the man said, My she gilley oo ta mee bashtey oo Juan, as myr she inneen oo ta mee bashtey oo Joney. [If thou art a boy I christen thee John, and if thou art a girl I christen thee Joney]. Myr shen va yn scaah shen eck shee [therefore that ghost was at rest]. | ||
| It is the custom yet to bury a still-born child at dead of night, as they are not allowed to be buried in consecrated ground. | ||
| I have heard them calling a few hens griagh chark; and griagh Harry Kowin was three in number. | ||
| I did not see Harry Kowin nor his daughter Puy Harry Kowin, but I knew her son Billy mooar Puy Harry Kowin. | ||
| The farmers had their own private mark cut in sheep’s ears, and they said Billy mooar Puy Harry Kowin knew all the marks in the Island. | ||
| Gollish myr aley | ||
| Whaley cooit fealey | ||
| Thummey yn sned ayns ushtey | ||
| Son nag ghogh ee aile. | ||
| Some old tailor was saying these lines while sewing. | ||