Maeve MacKinnon

ORAN CHALUIM SGAIRE

Dh' fhalbh i ghluais i leinn dhachaigh,
Chuir i chuairt ud air Arcaibh,
Siuil gheala 's cruinn ura,
Tide-mhara 's leinn.

Air failli o ro u
Faill eileadh o ro u
Air failli o ro u
Hogaibh o 'sna ho i.

Nuair a nochd i air faire,
Bho mo leannan-sa 'g radhtainn
"Siud ant-soitheach aig Cragam
Calum Sgaire tha innt' ".

Nuair a dhirich mi bhruthach,
Thilg i bhuarach 'san cuman,
'S thuirt i 'S uaibhreach an- diugh mi,
Seo cuspair mo ghaoil."

Nam bithinnsa lamh riut,
Nuair a thug thu do lamh dhi,
'Sann a dh' fhaodadh do chairdean
Dhol a charadh do chinn.

CALUM SGAIRE'S SONG

She left and made her way home with us
She circled round Orkney
White sails and new masts
Good sailing weather on our side

Air failli o ro u
Faill eileadh o ro u
Air failli o ro u
Hogaibh o 'sna ho i.

When she appeared on the horizon
My love was saying
"That is Cragam's ship
And Calum Sgaire is on board"

When I climbed the hill
She threw the rope and the jug
And she said "It's glad I am today
This is the subject of my love

If I were with you
When you gave her your hand
Then your family , If they could have,
Would have buried you.

AILEAN DUINN

'S goirt s gur daor a phaigh mi mal dhut
Cha chraodh laoigh 's cha chaoraich bhana
Ach a luchd a thaom am bata
Bha m'athair innte 'smo thriuir bhraithrean
Cha b'e sin a leir 'sa chraidh mi
Ach am fear a ghlac air laimh mi
Leathanach a bhroillich bhan ghill'
A thug o'n chlachan Dimairt mi
Fhaoileag bheag thu, fhaoileag mhar' thu
Cait' an d'dh'fhag thu na fir geala
Dh'fhag mi iad 'san eilean mhara

DARK-HAIRED ALAN

Endless grief the rent it cost me
Twas neither sheep nor cattle
But the load the ship took with her
Brothers three and my own Father
As if this wasn't all of my burden
One to whom my heart was given
Skin like snow, Maclean my own one
Took me from the church on Tuesday
Seagull, seagull from the ocean
Where did you leave those fair ones?
Left alone with the sea surrounding

FATH MO MHULAID A BHITH ANN

Righ nach fhaicinn an cuan Barrach
Dortadh far bharraibh nan tonn

Gaoth an iar le cruaidh fhrasan
Tighinn nan lasair o'n tir thall

Luingeas bhan a' snamh gu h-aotrom
Mar na faoilinn null 'sa nall

Eala bhan a' ruith air thoiseach
Geal a' froiseadh 'san dubh mheall

Co tha siud ach an long fhada
Tuinn ga sadail 'si na deann

Mo thriuir bhraithrean ceist nan gillean
Glan an iomairt o'n taobh thall

Fear ga h-aiseag 's fear ga stuireadh
Am fear og ri shuil 'sa chrann

Dh'fhuarainn Eige agus Canaidh
Null gu Barraigh ghlas nam tonn

Is trom an ionndrainn th'air ma shiubhal
Cha tog fidheal e no cainnt

Fuaim an taibh gam shior eigheach
Tuigainn m'eudail do thir dhaibh

Ach pogaidh tusa nochd cuan Bharraigh
'S mis fo bharraibh chruaidh nam beann

Fath mo mhulaid a bhith ann
'S mi air m'aineol anns a ghleann
Fath mo mhulaid a bhith ann

BEING HERE HAS CAUSED MY SORROW

O to see the streams of Barra
Pouring o'er the tops of the hillside

The West wind brings the showers so powerful
Coming in gusts from distant headlands

Vessels of white they're sailing lightly
To and fro, just like seagulls

The White Swan running in front
White, gliding through the dark clouds

What is there but the long ship sailing
Buffeting waves as she goes swiftly

The best of men are my three brothers
Their journey across was done so neatly

One at the sails and one at the steering
The youngest from the mast is guiding

I'd pass to windward Eigg and Cana
Over to Barra, grey with breakers

In my heart I'm heavy with longing
No fiddle nor speech will ease my burden

The sound of the ocean calling on me
Come, my love, to land

Tonight you'll kiss the sea of Barra
While I'm below unfriendly mountains

Being here has caused my sorrow
For in the glen I am a stranger
Being here has caused my sorr

SORAIDH BHUAM GU EILEAN BHARRAIGH

Tha seann mharnlaiche nan gaillion Heathabhal le claigionn lom
A cuir fios a h-uile madainn dh'ionnsaidh maraichean nan tonn
'S ged a bhiodh iad air a chuan a tarraing lion nan dubhan crom
'S cinnteach iad gun tig an cunnart nuair th'ann cubhrachd air a ceann

Be mo mhiann bhi'n talla dannsa na'm do'n phiob bhith cuir gu ceol
Gille gleusda gleusadh sionnsair 's cha b'ann meall a bhiodh a mheoir
Bhiodh gach maighdean bhanail bhannda 'si air laimh aig gallan og
Cumail tim le grinneas bhain-tighearn' null 'sa nall air urlar bhord

Ged is beannach greanach fiadhaich Barraigh riobhach bheag nan ob
Leams' cha bhith i le cho breagha ged bhiodh a creagan liath nan or
Aite taimh nam fiuran fialaidh 'is na nionag mhaiseach og
Cha do sheas fo bhrat na h-iarmailt daoine riamh cho ciatach coir

Barraigh Chiar nan iasgair sar mhath sheoladh ard air bharr nan stuagh
'S fhada cian o'n chaidh an fhagail thoirt do'n al aice mar dhuais
'S gus an sguir an lionadh mara leantainn rian na gealaich shuas
Bi a bhuaidh ud aig na Barraich urram maraichean an tonn

Urram maraichean nan tonn urram maraichean nan tonn
Bith a bhuaidh ud aig na Barraich Urram maraichean nan tonn

GREETINGS TO THE ISLE OF BARRA

The old weather forecaster of the storm, Heathaval, with it's bare head
Sending word of bad weather to the sailors of the deep
And although they would be far out to sea drawing nets with the fishing hooks
They can be sure there will be danger when her peaks are covered in mist

It is my wish to be in the dance hall where the pipes would be playing
The sharp lad tuning the chanter and his fingers would not be slow
Every lovely young maiden on the arm of a gent
Keeping time with the grace of a lady backwards and forwards over the dance floor

Although it is hilly, rugged and wild, lovely little Barra of the inlets
To me it could not be any more beautiful if it's grey rocks were made of gold
A place where the kind hearted gallant men live and the pretty young maidens
Never have stood beneath the sky, kinder and more hospitable people

Grey Barra of the exceptional fishermen who would sail on the high waves
Long since have their young been accustomed to leaving
Until the tides stop being controlled by the moon
The Barra people will have that victory, respected sailors of the sea.

Respected sailors of the sea, respected sailors of the sea
The Barra people will have that victory, respected sailors of the sea.

PUIRT A BEUL

Tha dith nam brog aig Donnchadh dubh tha dith nam brog aig Donnchadh corr
Tha dith nam brog aig Donnchadh dubh
'schan fhaigh e nall gam iarraidh

'S cha tig e'n diugh gam iarraidh sa cha tig e'n diugh gam iarraidh sa
Cha tig e'n diugh na de na diugh cha tig e'n diugh gam iarraidh sa
'S gun brogan aig an truaghan

Ach mu'n tig latha na bliadhn' ur 's gun tig e air chul gam thurasdal
Na gheibh do Donnchadh brogan ur leis faod e thighinn gam iarraidh

Gun tig an t-sail mo Dhonnchadh 'sa gun tig an t-sail mo Donnchadh sa
Gun tig an t-sail a tir a sail gun tig ant-sail ma Dhonnchadh sa
Le bhrogan ur gam iarraidh

Be siud a bhriogais uallach hori um bi
Briogais an duin' uasail ho ri um bo
Nuair a chuir mi suas i ho ri um bi
'S ioma duin' a chual' e nach robh na coir

Be siud a bhriogais chunnartach ho ri um bi
'S nuair a chuir mi umam i ho ri um bo
Shaoileadh iad nach robh duin' innt' ho ri um bi
Nuair a chual' iad bruidhinn san a thuirt iad oh!

Dh fhaighnich iad gu corrum dhiom ho ri um bi
A bheil i gad thoileachadh ho ri um bo
An do ghabh iad do thomhas innt' ho ri um bi
Thuirt mi tha e coltach gun do ghabh is corr

Chaidh mi chun an taillear ho ri um bi
Feuch an toir e pairt dhi ho ri um bo
Thuirt e airson paigheadh ho ri um bi
'San a rinn mi gaire le na h-innte chloimh

Chuirinn mo bhalachan shiubhal nan garbhlach
Chuirinn mo bhalachan shealg nan fireachan
Chuirinn mo bhalachan shiubhal nan garbhlach
Chuirinn mo ghaol a dh'iomainn nam bo

Thoirinn an gunna dha thoirinn cu dha x3
Chuirinn mo ghaol a dh'iomainn nam bo

Buachaille ghobhair thu buachaille chaorach x3
Buachaille laogh is buachaille bho

MOUTH MUSIC

Dark Duncan has no shoes, dark Duncan has no shoes, kind Duncan has no shoes
Dark Duncan has no shoes
And he cannot come and fetch me

He will not come today, not today, nor yesterday nor today, he will not come today
As the poor soul has no shoes.

But before the New Year I will put by some of my wages, enough to get Duncan shoes So he can come and fetch me

He will come at once, he will come at once, he will come from the peninsula
He will come at once, he will come at once, he will come from the peninsula
With new shoes he will come and fetch me.

That was some pair of trousers,
The gentlemans trousers
When I wore them,
Many a fellow who heard was never near it

They were the dangerous trousers,
When I put them on
You would think there was no-one inside them
When they heard talking they said ohh!

They all asked me,
Are they pleasing you?
And did they measure you for them, I said,
It looks as though they have and more!

I went to the tailor
To see if he would take them in
He said he could, for a fee
I just laughed at all the cloth that was used.

I will send my laddie to traverse the moors
I will send my love hunting on the moors
I will send my laddie to traverse the moors
I will send my love to drive the cattle

I will give him a gun I would give him a dog
I will send my love to drive the cattle

A goatherd you are a shepherd you are
A calf herd and a cow herd.

MO THRUAIGH LEIR THU 'ILLE BHUIDHE

Tha'n "Earbag" 'si air acarsaid am Baile Puirt an Eirinn

Chuir sinn croinn 'sa bhata da la mu'n d'dh'fhag sinn Eirinn

Cutteran a's gaidsearan ga'r sarachadh le cheile

Nuair a dh'at an fhairge 'si n "Earbag" a bha treubhach

An "Earbag" 'si cho dionach ri botal fion a's ceir air

Dh'ol sinn buaidh do'n bhata thug sabhailt' sinn a Eirinn

Bha uisge 's clacha-meallainn ann a's "canavas" g'a reubadh

Seachad Caisteal Dhuairt leath' gun robh ar turas reidh leinn

Bha sinn an Loch-Alainn mu'n d'rinn ach pairt dhiubh eirigh

Mo thruaigh leir thu 'ille bhuidhe
'Sann an diugh tha'n deigh ort
Mo thruaigh leir thu 'ille bhuidhe

WOE IS ME MY FAIR LAD

Woe is me, my fair lad
Today I am missing you
Woe is me, my fair lad

The " Earbag" is in the harbour in an Irish Port

We cast lots on the ship two days before we left Ireland

The customs and excise were both harassing us

When the sea swelled, the "Earbag" was gallant

The "Earbag" was as watertight as a sealed wine bottle

We drank a toast to the ship that took us safe from Ireland

There was rain and hail and the rigging was torn

When we passed Duart's Castle things were a bit calmer

We were in Loch Alainn before some of them had woken up

Woe is me, my fair lad
Today I am missing you
Woe is me, my fair lad

SHEOL MO RUN

''S ann air long nan crannag ard
Sheol an t-armunn 'on chala
'Sged a cheilinn siud air cach
'S tu mo ghraidh thar na dh'fhan ann

'S math thu measg nan crannag shuas
Na cruinn fhuar air beag fasgaidh
Feadh na seol 's iad reodhta cruaidh
'S tu le duannaig ga'm pasgadh

'S nuair a thilleadh tu thar bhoids
Ged nach poitsear taigh leann' thu
Bhiodh do bhotul air a bhord
Cach ga ol 'stu ga cheannach

Tha mo chairdean ruim am gruam
Chionn mo luaidh thoirt do'n mharaich
Bi e tric 'sna taighean ciuil
Leannan ur anns gach calaig

'S og a thug mi dhut mo run
'Se bhith dluth ruit bu mhath leam
'S ged a thug thu nis ruim cul
Chan e fear ur bhios air m'aire

Dh'fhag thu mi mar eun an crann
A nead lom air a chreachadh
bhuair thu mi led bhriodal beoil
Boidean teann rinn mo mhealladh

Nis tha Challain a tighinn dluth
Thig bliadhn' ur is thig Earrach
Ach bith mis' an seo gun sunnd
'S trom an druichd air mo shealladh

MY LOVE HAS SAILED

It was on the ship of the high masts
That my hero sailed from the harbour
Although I could not tell other people
He's the one I love most of all

You are an expert among the rigging
The cold masts of little shelter
Among the sails that are frozen stiff
Singing songs while folding them

When you return from a voyage
Although you are no drunkard
Your bottle would be on the table
Others drinking it and you buying it

My relatives are not pleased with me
Because I have given my heart to a sailor
Who spends his time enjoying himself
With a girlfriend in every port

I was young when I gave you my heart
To be near you would be my pleasure
Although you have turned your back on me
I am not looking for another

You left me like a bird in a tree
It's nest empty and plundered
You beguileg me with your sweet talk
With firm promises you deceived me

Now the New Year is at hand
A New Year begins a new spring
But I will be here unhappy
The tears they blind my vision

CO NI MIRE RIUM?

Co ni sugradh co ni cinnealtas hu hoirean o
Co ni e mur dean na gillean e
Latha dhomh 'smi falbh na fireachan
Thachair orm a ghruagach chinnealta
'Si buain eointein 'n cois na linne ud
Theann mi null is fhuair mi bruidhinn dhith
'S dh'fhaighnich mi gu de bu chinneadh dhith
'S thuirt i riumsa tha b'ann Siosalach
Thuirt mi rith gum b'e mo chinneadh e
Thuirt i rium cha bhith mo thuras riut

WHO WILL COME AND PLAY WITH ME?

Who will romance, who will come a courting
Who will if not the boys
One day while walking on the moorland
I met a Bonnie Lass
As she was picking daisies from beside the burn
I got talking to her
I asked her what her surname was
And she told me she was a Fraser
I told her that was my name too
But she told me she wouldn't have anything to do with me.

ORAN DO EILEAN MHIUGLAIDH

Chunnaic mis' an cabhlach eisg
A dh' fhalbh 'sam breidean sgaoilt' orra
A'tolladh slige ghorm nan speur
Cha bhreug tha sin 'ged shaoilear e
Cha robh san am mo fhradhrac fann
'S cha sealladh meallta dhraoidheach e
Ach rud a bh'ann 'sa bhios ann
Is chi a chlann dhiubh daonnan e

Is tric a dh'eisd mi gair' nan tonn
Ri cladach lom nan caolasan
Is m'aigne fhein cho reidh ri phong
'S mo chridhe trom a'smaointinn air
A' liuthad car a chaidh de'n t-sruth
O'n chruthaicheadh an saoghal seo
Air ais 's air aghaidh gus an diugh
Is fuaim a ghuth gun chaochladh air

Is tric air feasgar Cheitein chiuin
'S gun leam ach speil de dh' fhaoileagan
A shuidh' mi greis gun moran suim
Air binneag druim na h-aonaige
An am do'n ghrein bhith dol 'sa chuan
Bu mhaiseach snuadh a h-aodainn leam
'S ged rinn i mile mile chuairt
Cha tainig tuar na h-aois oirre

Leam bu mhiann bhith 'g amharc bhuaim
Air madainn fhuarach Fhaoilleachail
A' gabhail beachd air neart na stuadh
Bu ghreannach gruamach caoir-ghealladh
A'cur nan cas nan creagan glas
'Sa froiseadh as a mhaoraiche

Tha chreagan corrach sgorrach ciar
Is trugan liath na h-aois orra
Ag eirigh suas mar bhalla dion
An aghaidh sian nam faoillichean
Ged thug gaillionn gast is greann
Air bharr na'm meall 'sna maolaidhean
Tha cluaintean fasgach 'n achlais bheann
Is dreach an t- Shamhraidh daonnan air

De'n teaghlach ghreadhnach shuidh' gach oidhch'
Mu'n chagailt chruinn bha naoinear ann
Chanail an diugh air lom an tuinn
Ach mis' a caoidh 'nam aonaran
Tha'n trathach gorm mu'n teinntein fuar
Gun beo mun cuairt ach caoraich air
Is luchd mo ghraidh nan seomar suain
Is glasan buan an aoig orra

A SONG TO THE ISLE OF MINGULAY

I saw a fleet of white sailed fishing boats
Sailing into the horizon
That is not a lie
Although you may think so
At the time my sight was not failing
And it wasn't a deceiving sight
But what was and what will be
And what their children will always see

Often I listened to the laughter of the waves
On the bare shores of the straits
And my mind in tune with peace,
My heart heavy thinking of it
The many turns the sea has made
Since the world was created
Back and fore until today
And it's eternal voice never dying

Often on a peaceful May morning
With a flock of seagulls
I sat for a while without a care
On a lonely hillside slope
At the time for the sun to go down
It's beautiful facial appearance
Although she has circled many a thousand times
The signs of age do not show on her

How I enjoyed absorbing the views
On a cold January morning
Noting the strength of the waves,
Angry, fierce and frothy white
Tumbling over one by one
The white horses on the pounding clliffs
Washing the feet of the grey cliffs
And thrashing out the shellfish

It's rocks are steep,
Dark and rugged with a coat of old age
Rising up like a protective wall
Against the weather of the early winter
Although the severe weather has eroded the hill tops
There are sheltered meadows
In the arms of the hills
That always have a Summer appearance

Of the fine family that sat at night around the fire
There were nine
There is today only me left
Weeping on my own
The green grass has grown around the cold fire
With only sheep around it now
And the people I loved are in their eternal room
And locked forever in death.

DISATHUIRNE GHABH MI MULAD

'Sann Diluain a rinn mi'n tuiream
Chunnaic mi bhith gabhail umad
Gabhail mu'n bheul a bha lurach
Gabhail mu'n t-suil a bha cuimir
Togail na seol ris a churach
Seoladh gu tir ard a mhurain
Far nach cluinntinn fuaim na tuinne
Ach fuaim ant-siabain ris a mhuran
Fuaim na craoibhe ris an duilleag
Fuaim na sine ris an uinneag

ON SATURDAY I FELT THE GRIEF

On monday I lamented
When I saw them prepare your body
Preparing the mouth that was so sweet
Preparing the eyes that were so beguiling
I watched them put up the sails
The boat taking you to the high grassy land
Where the sound of the waves cannot be heard
Just the sound of the sand blowing in the grass
And the sound of the leaves of the trees
And the sound of the wind and rain on the window

OCHOIN A RIGH GUR E MI THA MULADACH

Tha mi fo eislein an deidh a fh' leasgaich ud
A dh'fhalbh an de ann am beul a leth traighaidh
Air m' fhacal fhein gu bheil m'inntinn urrasach
Ma fear a chul dualaich na gruaigeadh leadanaich
Ochoin a righ

Cha ghabhainn naire 'son suidh' an taice ruit
Ged bhiodh do chairdean an aite faicinn dhomh
A ri mar tha gur a mor a pheacaich thu
Ma rinn thu m'fhagail is cach a sheachnadh orm
Ochoin a righ

Cha chreidsinn tuailisgein ort ged chluinnin i
Chan fhanain bhuat ged a bhuailte buil' orm
Ged ruiginn shuas h-uile uair a b' urrainn mi
Ged bhiodh an fheantag is meall mu'd mhuineal dhith
Ochoin a righ

Nach mi bha bronach nuair sheol a "Victory"
Nach robh mi posd' aig a "bhosans-mate" aice
Gum b'fhuar na neoil nuair bu bhoidhche bheatadh i
'Si falbh gu siubhlach 's na siuil ma seach oirre
O choin a righ

Na faighinn tim 'sann a'sgriobhainn litir dhut
Ag innse dubhrachd is run mo chridhe dhut
'Se fath mo leoin ged is boidheach sgiobalt i
An deidh a'ceireadh cha leugh thu idir i
O choin a righ.........

I AM VERY SAD

I am full of sorrow after that handsome young man
Left yesterday in the early evening
I admitt it myself, my mind is dejected
Over that curly haired lad
I am very sad

I wouldn't be ashamed if I sat with you
Although your friends would be able to see us
And as it is you have already wronged me
If you left me and kept others from me
I am very sad

I wouldn't believe any falsehood about you even if I heard it
I wouldn't stay away from you even if someone hit me
I would come up to see you every moment I could
Even if there was a ring of nettles around your neck
I am very sad

Wasn't I so sad when the Victory sailed
If only I was married to her Bosans-mate
The sky would be bleak but she would sail away beautifully
With her going speedily, her sails in order
I am very sad

If only I had time I would write you a letter
Telling you the thoughts in my heart
The reason for my heartbreak, although it is beautifully written
After sealing it, you would not read it
I am very sad

‘S TOIL LEAM AN CIOBAIR

Nuair a dhireadh tu bruach
Le'd bhaga 's le'd ghunna
Nuair a lubadh tu t' uilinn
Bhiodh fuil air Lach-loin

Nuair a dhireadh tu 'n t'aonach
Dol a shealtainn nan caorach
Gheibhinn leisgeil na faotainn
Gu bhith daonan nad choir

'S truagh nach robh mi 'san iarras
Ma faca mi riamh thu
'S fios 'm fhin nach mi chiad te
Fhuair briaran do bheoil

'S truagh nach robh mi 'san anart
Ciste chaol nam bord tana
Mu'n d'fhuair mi do ghealladh
'S nam dana tu 'm choir

I DO LIKE THE SHEPHERD

When you climbed the hill
With your bag and your gun
When you bent your elbow
The wild ducks would be bloodied

When you climbed the slope
Going to tend the sheep
I would have an excuse, If I could
To be always near you

I wish I was dead
Before I ever set eyes on you
I know I'm not the first one
To hear your beguiling words

I wish I was in the shroud
Of the long coffin of the thin boards
Before I got your promise
And before I ever went near you

GURA MIS' THA GU TINN

Chan e goirteas mo chinn
Ach na chuir mi dhan chill
Gaol ise 's luaidh i
Gaol Anna Ni Neill
Mi cuimir 's mi cruinn
'S mi gu biorshuileach binn
Mar chuthaig air craoibh
Mar smeoraich air beinn
Mi dualach 's mi donn

I AM VERY UNWELL

It is not my head that feels the pain
But the one I buried
My love , my beloved
The love of Anna, Neil's daughter
I am Bonnie, I am plump
I, with the sweet bright eye
Like a cuckoo in a tree
Like a thrush on the hill
With my long curly locks