Unst Boat Song

Unst Boat Song. An ancient Shetland song performed by Fridarey.

Friderey CD artwork

The Unst Boat Song is Shetland's oldest surviving song.  The text is fragmented Norn mixed with some dialect.  This version is sung by Fair Isle family group, Friðarey, and is available on their CD Across the Waters, FAIRCD1.

  

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Starka virna vestilie
Obadeea, obadeea
Starka, virna, vestilie
Obadeea, monye.

Stala, stoita, stonga raer
O, whit says du da bunshka baer?
O, whit says du da bunshka baer?
Litra mae vee drengie.

Starka virna vestilie
Obadeea, obadeea
Starka, virna, vestilie
Obadeea, monye.

Saina, papa wara
Obadeea, obadeea
Saina, papa wara
Obadeea, monye.

Starka virna vestilie
Obadeea, obadeea
Starka, virna, vestilie
Obadeea, monye.

Translation suggested by W.W.  Ratter:

starka	strong
virna	weather,   wind
vestilie	westerly
obadeea	trouble, hurt
monye	men
stala	put in order
stoita	support
stong	mast
raer	yards (of a mast)
O whit says du?	O what do you say? (modern Shetland dialect)
da bunshka baer	that the boat will bear or carry her sail
litra mae vee	I am pleased with that
drengie	boys
Saina papa wara	Bless us, our Father