5.6. A Sea song from Unst ("Delen stoiten")

[Ljun]

Another version of this song (veesik), sung by Mr. William Ratter in Lerwick

Stærka wærna westerley
Oba dia, oba dia,
Stærka wærna westerley,
Oba dia Morjie

Baava bonja.
Di mana wakna stara, stritja,
Lyra, Langspanja koman heim an stidmo

[Hrafn]

In general. when the dictionary is ready, are we going to make a nynorn version of alle the songs and ritles we have in norn? :)

[Hnolt]

We certainly would like to, but first we need to interpret the songs. At the moment there are many passages in them that stay incomprehensible.

[Ljun]

Another 'live' version of the Unst Boat Song on Youtube

[Hnolt]

[Hrafn]

I think what is really interesting, is his palatal pronunciation of "nn" in menni. And his "g" really sound like a soft "g" to me.
Not the danish soft /g/, it has actually turned into [j] now and is thus gone :b

And his /v/ dosen't sound like [w] to me. Maybe the original norn pronunciation was [v], as some norn place names also indicates.

[Kråka]

Not sure it was posted before...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa2R1oGCFgk

[dunvegan]

Great song!

[Hnolt]

Thanks for the link, Kråka!

Good to have the lyrics and translation:

Starka virna vestilie
Obadee-a, obadee-a
Starka virna vestilie
Obadee-a monye

Stala, stoita, stonga, raera
'T what ta doo, da bunshka baera
'T what ta doo, da bunshka baera
A litera mae vee drengie

Saina papa wara
Obadee-a, obadee-a
Saina papa wara
Obadee-a monye

English Translation:

Stronger wind comes from the wester
Curse the weather, curse the weather
Stronger wind comes from the wester
Curses from all us sailors.

Stow the shrouds, the yards and sails
The dear old ship she'll ride the gales
The dear old ship she'll ride the gales
So give her the best you can, boys.

Bless the ship, almighty father
Curse the weather, curse the weather
Bless the ship, almighty father
Curses from all us sailors.

[Kråka]

wow!