Info

This song is “mouth music,” (or “puirt à beul”). When musical instruments were banned after 1745, songs were sung to mimic instrumental sounds. The rhythm and melody was more important than the meaning of the lyrics. (source) (source)

Lyrics - Scots Gaelic

(Folk song from Scotland)

Brochan lom, tana lom,
brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan lom, tana lom, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan lom, tana lom, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan lom ‘s e tana lom ‘s e brochan lom na sùghain

Refrain
Brochan tana, tana, tana, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan tana, tana, tana, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan tana, tana, tana, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan lom ‘s e tana lom ‘s e brochan lom na sùghain

Thugaibh aran dha na gillean leis a’ bhrochan sùghain
(repeat twice)
Brochan lom ‘s e tana lom ‘s e brochan lom na sùghain Refrain

Seo an rud a gheibheamaid o nighean gobh’ an dùine,
(repeat twice)
Brochan lom ‘s e tana lom, ‘s e brochan lom sùghain. Refrain

English Translation - Thin Porridge

Thin porridge, sparse and thin, thin and watery porridge.
Thin porridge, sparse and thin, thin and watery porridge.
Thin porridge, sparse and thin, thin and watery porridge.
Thin porridge, it is sparse and thin, it is thin and watery porridge.

Refrain
Sparse porridge, sparse, sparse, thin and watery porridge,
Sparse porridge, sparse, sparse, thin and watery porridge,
Sparse porridge, sparse, sparse, thin and watery porridge,
Thin porridge, it is sparse and thin, it is thin and watery porridge.

Give bread to the lads with the watery porridge,
(repeat twice)
Thin porridge, it is sparse and thin, it is thin and watery porridge. Refrain

This is the thing to get from the blacksmith’s daughter.
(repeat twice)
Thin porridge, it is sparse and thin, it is thin and watery porridge. Refrain

See also

YouTube

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody

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