Nuair a d'fhás sé dorcha, lasadh roinnt lampaí daite

When it grew dark, a number of colored lamps were lighted

rinne na mairnéalaigh agus an teaghlach ríoga rince go suairc ar an deic

the sailors and royal family danced merrily on the deck

Ní fhéadfadh an mhaighdean mhara bheag cabhrú le smaoineamh ar a lá breithe

The little mermaid could not help thinking of her birthday

an lá a d'éirigh sí as an bhfarraige don chéad uair

the day that she rose out of the sea for the first time

ceiliúradh a leithéid de fhéilte lúcháireacha an lá sin

similar joyful festivities were celebrated on that day

smaoinigh sí ar an iontas agus an dóchas a bhraith sí an lá sin

she thought about the wonder and hope she felt that day

leis na cuimhní taitneamhacha sin, chuaigh sí isteach sa rince freisin

with those pleasant memories, she too joined in the dance

ar a cosa pianmhar, shuigh sí í féin san aer

on her paining feet, she poised herself in the air

an chaoi a n-iompaíonn fáinleog é féin agus é sa tóir ar chreiche

the way a swallow poises itself when in pursued of prey

chuir na mairnéalaigh agus na seirbhísigh gean uirthi go hiontach

the sailors and the servants cheered her wonderingly

Ní raibh sí ag rince chomh galánta sin roimhe seo

She had never danced so gracefully before

Mhothaigh a cosa tairisceana amhail is dá mba gearrtha le sceana géara

Her tender feet felt as if cut with sharp knives

ach is beag a thug sí aire do phian a cosa

but she cared little for the pain of her feet