"Báidín Fheilimí" or sometimes "Báidín Fheidhlimidh" (old spelling) is a traditional Irish

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

 song which originates from the Gaeltacht

Gaeltacht

is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...

 region in the north-west of County Donegal

County Donegal

County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...

, which is usually taught to young children. The lyrics are in the Irish language

Irish language

Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...

, and it is based on the immortalistion of a small boat owned by a man called Feilimí (Phelim).

It has been covered by artists such as Na Casaidigh

Na Casaidigh

Na Casaidigh or The Cassidys in English are an Irish traditional group. They have been based in Dublin for many years, but they originally hail from Gweedore, County Donegal. The group consists of brothers Aongus, Seathrún, Ciarán, Fionntán, Feargus, and Odhrán...

 and Sinéad O'Connor

Sinéad O'Connor

Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....

.

Original Irish Lyrics

Báidín Fheilimí d’imigh go Gabhla,

Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.

Báidín Fheilimí d’imigh go Gabhla,

Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.

(Chorus)

Báidín bídeach, báidín beosach,

Báidín bóidheach, báidín Fheilimí

Báidín díreach, báidín deontach

Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.

Báidín Fheilimí d’imigh go Toraí,

Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.

Báidín Fheilimí d’imigh go Toraí,

Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.

Chorus

Báidín Fheilimí briseadh i dToraí,

Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.

Báidín Fheilimí briseadh i dToraí,

Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.

Chorus

Báidín Fheilimí briseadh i dToraí,

Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.

Báidín Fheilimí briseadh i dToraí,

Éisc ar bord agus Feilimí ann.

English translation

Feidhlim's little boat went to Gola

Gola Island

Gola is a small island off the coast of Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland.Gola island is one kilometre off the coast of Gweedore. Its many beaches and secluded bays attract visitors throughout the year. The island was populated up until the mid 1960s...

,

Feidhlim's little boat and Feidhlim in it,

Feidhlim's little boat went to Gola,

Feidhlim's little boat and Feidhlim in it.

(Chorus)

A tiny little boat, a lively little boat,

A buoyant little boat, Feidhlim's little boat,

A straight little boat, a willing little boat,

Feidhlim's little boat and Feidhlim in it.

Feidhlim's little boat went to Tory

Tory Island

Toraigh is an inhabited island 14.5 km off the northwest coast of County Donegal, Ireland. It is also known in Irish as Oileán Thoraigh, Oileán Thoraí or Oileán Thúr Rí.-Language:The main spoken language on the island is Irish, but English is also understood...

,

Feidhlim's little boat and Feidhlim in it,

Feidhlim's little boat went to Tory,

Feidhlim's little boat and Feidhlim in it.

Chorus

Feidhlim's little boat crashed on Tory,

Feidhlim's little boat and Feidhlim in it,

Feidhlim's little boat crashed on Tory,

Feidhlim's little boat and Feidhlim in it.

Chorus

Feidhlim's little boat crashed on Tory,

Feidhlim's little boat and Feidhlim in it,

Feidhlim's little boat crashed on Tory,

Fish on board and Feidhlim in it.