Song Meaning
These lyrics paint a picture of profound loss and the fading of hope. The opening lines, "Na 'wanath ah na dhín," immediately set a somber tone, suggesting a departure or a farewell. The subsequent phrases speak of a journey or a path that is ending, carrying away something precious.
The central tension seems to revolve around the irreversible nature of this departure and its impact on the world or the speaker's existence. The idea of "annant ui(ch) ben-estel" implies a path without hope or a destination that offers no solace. This sense of finality is reinforced by the imagery of something "gwennen na ringyrn e-mbar han," which suggests a fading or a diminishing presence in the world.
The repeated use of "Boe" (which appears to mean 'be' or 'is' in this context) emphasizes the state of things, highlighting what is and what is not. "Boe naer gwannathach" – there is a great passing away – and "Boe naid gwannathar" – there is a passing away of things. The final line, "Boe cuil ban firitha," speaks of a great life ending or being extinguished, solidifying the theme of ultimate cessation.
This lyrical passage is effective because of its stark, declarative statements about loss and endings. The absence of explicit emotional descriptors forces the listener to infer the weight of "great passing away" and "great life ending." The repetition of "Boe" grounds the abstract concepts of loss in a tangible, present reality, making the sense of finality all the more impactful.