Brigid, Ever-Good Woman
A Hymn Dedicated to St. Brigid of Kildare
St. Brigid, or Naomh Bríd in Irish, is a 5th century Irish saint and is considered one of the patron saints of Ireland, including Saints Patrick and Columba. While not much is known about her life, the saint has been recorded to be the daughter of an enslaved Christian woman named Broicsech and Dubhthach, a clan chief in Leinster. In her hagiography, there are many miracles attributed to pertaining largely to feeding the poor and healing. She became a consecrated virgin by Saint Mac Caille, Bishop of Cruachán Brí Éile, and later became an abbess by St Mél of Ardagh at Mág Tulach.
The following hymn Brigit Be Bithmaith, or “Brigid, Ever-Good Woman” is one of several hymns found in the Irish Liber Hymnorum dedicated to the titular saint. As these hymns were grouped together, it indicates that they were sung as part of her feast day. To commemorate St. Brigid’s Day – Lá Fhéile Bríde or Imbolc depending on context – both an Old Gaelic and English translation are provided, offering the opportunity to read the poem in its original language while understanding its pious message.
Brigit Be Bithmaith (Old Gaelic)
Brigit be bith-maith
breo orda oiblech,
donfe do’n bith-laith
in grian tind taidlech.
Ronsoera Brigit
sech drungu demna,
roroena reunn
catha cach thedma.
Dorodba innunn
ar colla císu
in chroeb co mblathaib
in mathair Ísu.
Ind fhir-óg inmain
co n-orddain adbail,
biam soer cech inbaid
la’m nóeb do Laignib.
Leth-cholba flatha
la Patraic prímda;
in tlacht uas ligdaib
ind rigan rígda.
Robbe tiar sinit
ar cuirp hic-cilicc;
dia rath ronbroena,
ronsoera Brigit.
Brigit bé.
Brigit Be Bithmaith (English translation)
Brigid, ever-good woman,
flame golden, sparkling,
may she bear us to the eternal kingdom,
the sun fiery, radiant!
May Brigid free us
past crowds of demons!
May she win for us
battles over every disease!
May she extirpate in us
the vices of our flesh,
she, the branch with blossoms,
the mother of Jesus!
The true-virgin, dear,
with vast pre-eminence,
may we be free, at all times,
along with my Saint of Leinster-folk!
One of the two pillars of the Kingdom,
along with Patrick the pre-eminent;
the vestment beyond splendid vestments,
the royal Queen!
May they lie, after old age,
our bodies, in sackcloth;
with her grace may she bedew us,
may she free us, Brigid!
Brigid, ever.