Lyke-Wake Dirge

This ae nighte, this ae nighte,
Every nighte and alle,
Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,
And Christe receive thy saule.

When thou from hence away art past,

Every nighte and alle,
To Whinny-muir thou com'st at last;
And Christe receive thy saule.

If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon,
Every nighte and alle,
Sit thee down and put them on;
And Christe receive thy saule.

If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane
Every nighte and alle,
The whinnes sall prick thee to the bare bane;
And Christe receive thy saule.

From Whinny-muir when thou may'st pass,
Every nighte and alle,
To Brig o' Dread thou com'st at last;
And Christe receive thy saule.

From Brig o' Dread when thou may'st pass,
Every nighte and alle,
To Purgatory fire thou com'st at last;
And Christe receive thy saule.

If ever thou gavest meat or drink,
Every nighte and alle,
The fire sall never make thee shrink;
And Christe receive thy saule.

If meat or drink thou ne'er gav'st nane,
Every nighte and alle,
The fire will burn thee to the bare bane;
And Christe receive thy saule.

This ae nighte, this ae nighte,
Every nighte and alle,
Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,
And Christe receive thy saule.


Traduzione in inglese moderno (Doug Johnson)

This night, this night,
-- Every and all nights
Fire and flame and candle light
And Christ receive your soul

When you are past here
-- Every and all nights
To Whinny Moor you'll come at last
And Christ receive your soul

If ever you gave socks or shoes
-- Every and all nights
Sit yourself down and put them on
And Christ receive your soul

But if socks and shoes you gave no one
-- Every and all nights

And Christ receive your soul

When (if) you have passed Whinney Moor
-- Every and all nights
To the Bridge of Dread you'll come at last
And Christ receive your soul

When (if) you have passed the Bridge of Dread
-- Every and all nights
To the flames of Purgatory you'll come at last
And Christ receive your soul

If you ever gave food or drink
-- Every and all nights
The fire will never affect you
And Christ receive your soul

If you never gave food or drink
-- Every and all nights
The fire will burn you to the bone
And Christ receive your soul

This night, this night
-- Every and all nights
Fire and flame and candle light
And Christ receive your soul