by Chaered
This is original text by chaered, first posted on VL.
The purpose of writing this text was threefold: to practice my Quenya, and write more copyright-unencumbered Quenya reading material, The format is a kid's song, teaching fractions. The stress pattern is strictly dactyl-dactyl-dactyl-trochee, so it will suit a 3/4 beat.
The second part is the chorus, repeats after every verse.
I considered using "ant' ilyen" instean of "anta sen" as the ending of the 3rd line of the verses, which would make more math sense, but it may be harder to sing.
The song may be overusing the aorist where present tense could be used, but the aorist was easier to fit, and may give it more of a timeless feel.
Amm' amastanie
min lisse masta:
nás nostarenyan mi
ninya easta
Mom has baked
one sweet cake:
it's for my birthday
of my existence.
Niþila; pirine
pioli as ta;
írenya ná mata
i quanna masta!
Sweet-smelling, juicy
berries with it;
my wish is to eat
the entire cake!
Ela! Þellinya sí
nustaila cesta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto peresta.
Lo! My sister [is] here
sniffing-seeks;
mom says to give her
half of the cake.
Ela! Atarya na
nesto menesta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto neldesta.
Lo! Father towards
a goal of food;
mom says to give him
one-third of the cake.
Ela! Utúlie
hanno anfasta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto canasta.
--
Ela! I resse
cecenna, nesta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto lepesta.
--
Ela! Harunya, ye
cene ecesta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto enquesta
--
Ela! Tarwandur
cóla colosta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto otosta.
--
Ela! Sí aþumo
yanta i hosta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto tolosta.
--
Ela! Asambar ó
maita nemesta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto neresta.
--
Ela! All' airimo
yára ar aista,;
equ' amme anta sen
masto i quaista.
--
Ela! Vin haruni
ece atesta;
equ' amme anta sen
masto minquesta.
--
Ela! Tyen silume
ni etelesta;
equ' amme anta tyen
masto yunquesta.
Lo! Has come
(little) brother well-pleased;
mom says to give him
one-fourth of the cake.
--
Lo! The cousin
visiting, grazing;
mom says to give her
one-fifth of the cake.
--
Lo! My gramps, who
sees an opportunity;
mom says to give him
one-sixth of the cake.
--
Lo! A gardener
brings [carries] a cucumber;
mom says to give them
one-seventh of the cake.
--
Lo! An acquintance
joins the crowd;
mom says to give them
one-eighth of the cake.
--
Lo! A neighbor with
a hungry appearance;
mom says to give them
one-ninth of the cake.
--
Lo! Greetings, priest,
old and holy;
mom says to give him
the one-tenth of the cake.
--
Lo! Just granny
must be mentioned;
mom says to give her
one-eleventh of the cake.
--
Lo! Now to you
I measure out;
mom says to give you
one-twelfth of the cake.
Tanót' i nostare
renner, alastan;
hya rie tullente
amilo mastan?
So many the birthday
remembered, I rejoice;
or did they only come now
for mom's cake?
© 2026, Chaered
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