Watch: Trasna na dTonnta
Popular Irish Song
Kids in Ireland have been learning this Irish language song for decades.
Meaning
The title in Irish Gaelic means "Across the Waves". It's the story of a man coming back to Ireland, disillusioned with foreign life.
Singer
Sung by Siobhán, Bitesize Irish language assistant. She is practiced in "sean-nós" traditional Irish singing.
Lyrics for Transa na dTonnta
Chorus:
Trasna na dtonnta, dul siar, dul siar,
Slán leis an uaigneas ‘is slán leis an gcian;
Geal é mo chroí, agus geal í an ghrian,
Geal a bheith ag filleadh go hÉirinn!
Chonaic mo dhóthain de Thíortha i gcéin,
Ór agus airgead, saibhreas an tsaoil,
Éiríonn an croí ‘nam le breacadh gach lae
‘S mé druidim le dúthaigh mo mhuintir!
Chorus
Muintir an Iarthair ‘siad cairde mo chroí,
Fáilte ‘is féile bheidh romham ar gach taobh.
Ar fhágaint an tsaoil seo, sé ghuidhim ar an Rí
Gur leosan a shinfear i gcill mé.
Extra Verse:
Ar mo thriall siar ó éirigh mo chroí
An aimsir go hálainn is tonnta deas réidh
Stiúradh go díreach go dúthaigh mo chliabh
‘S bheidh mé in Éirinn amárach!
P.S. Are you looking for PRONUNCIATION of these words including phonetics? Check out the course below. The course “Sing a Song in Irish” features three traditional Irish songs, breaking them down so that you CAN sing this beautiful song.