Ma leeas gwreag
Original
Ma leeaz Greage Lacka vel Zeage.
Gwell gerres Vell commerrez.
Ha ma leeaz Bennen Pocare an Gwennen.
Eye vedn gwerrez de gu Teez Dandle peath an beaz.
Fleaz hep skeeanz Vedn gweel gu Seeanz.
Buz mor crown gy pedery Pan dall gu gwary.
Ha madra ta Pandrigg Seera ha Damah.
Narehanz moaz dan Cooz Do cuntle gu booz.
Buz gen nebbes lavirrians Eye venjah dendle gu booz ha dillaz.
Transliteration
'Ma lies gwreg lakka 'vel seg;
Gwell gerys 'vel kemerys.
Ha 'ma lies benyn pekar ha'n gwenyn;
Ey 'vedn gweres dh'aga tus dendyl peth an bys.
Fleghes heb skians 'vedn gwul 'ga sians,
bus mar kwron'jei prederi pandr'a dal 'ga gwari,
ha medra e'ta pandr'wrug Sira ha Dama,
na res dhedhans moas dhe'n koos dhe guntel 'ga boos.
Bus gen nebes lavuryans, ei 'venja dendyl 'ga boos ha dillas.
Translation
There are many wives worse than brewers' grains;
Better left than taken.
And there are many women like the bees;
They will help their men to earn a living in the world.
Children without knowledge will do what they want,
but if they consider what worth their playing has,
and aim well for what Father and Mother does,
they won't need to go to the woods to collect their food.
But with a little hard work, they would earn their food and clothes.
Notes
- John Jenkins c.1700, Ma leeas gwreag
Further reading
- Desky Kernowek, page 209
Links
Reference
- (Gw MSS OC.Vol IV No 8 Winter 1948)
