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Songs of Gaelic Scotland

Songs of Gaelic Scotland

by Anne Lorne Gillies
Songs of Gaelic Scotland

Songs of Gaelic Scotland

by Anne Lorne Gillies

Overview

Gaelic Scotland is one of the world's great treasure-houses of song. In this anthology, Anne Lorne Gillies has gathered together music and lyrics from all over the Gaelic-speaking Highlands and Islands - an extraordinary tradition that stretches in an unbroken line from the bardic effusions of ancient times to the Celtic fusions of today's vibrant young Gaelic musicians and poets. They paint vivid pictures of life among ordinary Gaelic-speaking people, their hopes, fears and preoccupations, births, deaths and marriages, and personal reactions to the great changes that blew their lives about. Everything about this book is designed to make the songs accessible to musicians and general readers alike. Anne Lorne Gillies provides a unique and informative introduction to Gaelic tradition, simple yet highly sensitive musical transcriptions, and English translations.

She portrays the social and historical background of the songs, offers her own commentary on technical aspects of the music and its performance, and adds carefully researched biographical notes and a full discography in order to bring to life not only the people who composed the songs but also some of the singers and musicians who have continued the tradition into the twenty-first century. Songs of Gaelic Scotland was winner of the 2006 Ruth Michaelis-Jena Ratcliff Prize in Folklore and Folklife.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781912476640
Publisher: Birlinn, Limited
Publication date: 01/07/2020
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 572
Sales rank: 1,007,963
Product dimensions: 8.05(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr Anne Lorne Gillies is one of the best known figures in Scottish life today. She has sung in concerts, theatres, festivals and recording studios throughout the world, and on many TV and radio series which were broadcast throughout the UK during the 1970s and 1980s, until her time was increasingly devoted to the establishment of Gaelic-medium education - as patron of the Gaelic Playgroup Association, national education officer for Comann na Gaidhlig and Gaelic lecturer at the University of Strathclyde. She now devotes a great deal of time to writing and producing multi-media Gaelic resources. For many years she was Gaelic-singing tutor at the University of Stirling Heritage of Scotland Summer Schools, passing on hundreds of songs to her students, several of whom have gone on to have distinguished singing careers of their own.

Table of Contents

Foreword John MacInnes viii

Preface to the Fourth Edition ix

Preface xiv

General Introduction xx

1 Muir is mànran - Songs of the sea

Introduction 3

1 Mhic Iarla nam bratach bàna - Son of the Earl of the white banners 6

2 Taladh Dhòmhnaill Ghuirm - Lullaby for Donald 'Gorm' of Sleat 10

3 Mo robairneach gaolach - My beloved brigand 15

4 Cumha Iain Ghairbh Mhic Gille Chaluim Ratharsair - The Lament for John 'Garve' MacLeod of Raasay 18

5 Tha mile long air Cuan Èirinn - A thousand ships are on the Irish Sea 22

6 Dh'fhalbh mo rún 's dh'fhàg e 'n cala - My lover went away, he left the harbour 24

7 Cairistìona - Christina 27

8 Thoir mo shoraidh thar Ghunaigh - Bear my farewell across Gunna Sound 31

9 A' bhean eudaich - The jealous woman 33

10 Òran Mòr Sgorabreac - The Great song of Scorrybreck 37

11 Dhèanainn sùgradh ris an nighinn duibh - I would sport with the dark-haired girl 41

12 'S daor a cheannaich mi 'n t-iasgach - I paid dearly for the fishing 45

13 Ailein duinn, a nì 's a nàire - Brown-haired Allan, alas and alack 48

14 Ailein duinn, o hì, shiùbhlainn leat - Brown-haired Allan, I would go with you 50

15 Gura thall ann an Sòaigh - Across in Soay 54

16 Guma slàn do na gillean - Here's a health to the lads 58

17 'S e mo ghràdh na gamhna geala - I love the white stirks 61

18 Bheir mi sgrìob do Thobar Mhoire - I'll take a trip to Tobermory 63

19 Fear a' bhàta - The boatman 65

20 Òran Chaluim Sgàire - Calum Zachary's Song 68

21 Gillean Ghleann Dail - Glendale lads 71

22 An ataireachd àrd - The surge of the sea 74

23 A rìbhinn òg, bheil cuimhn' agad? - Young girl, do you remember? 78

24 Cuibhl' an fhortain - The wheel of fortune 80

25 A Pheigi, a ghràidh - Peggy, my love 83

26 'S truagh nach do dh'fhuirich mi tioram air tìr - I wish I'd stayed on dry land 86

27 Balaich an iasgaich - The fisher boys 88

28 Tionndaidh am bàt' - Turn the boat around 91

29 Òran a' Chaiòra - The Song of the Caiora 93

30 Siubhal a' Chaire - The voyage of the Corrie 97

31 Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghala / Nead na lacha - Fiona's shebeen / The wild goose's nest 100

32 Nach truagh leat mi 's tu 'n Èirinn - Don't you pity me while you're in Ireland 105

33 Tha caolas eadar mi 's mo luaidh / Tighinn air a' mhuir - There's a strait between my love and me / Crossing the sea 107

34 Mi lem uilinn air mo ghlùin - With my elbow on my knee 110

35 Cearcall a' chuain - The ocean's circle 113

2 Cinneadh is còmhrag - Songs of clan and conflict

Introduction 117

1 Piobaireachd Dhòmhnaill Duibh - Pibroch of Black Donald 124

2 A mhic Iain 'ic Sheumais - Son of John, son of James 129

3 Beinn a' cheathaich - The misty mountain 133

4 MacGriogair à Ruadhshruth - MacGregor of Row 137

5 Griogal cridhe - Beloved Gregor 140

6 Muladach mi 's mi air m' aineol - Sad am I in a strange land 143

7 Luinneag MhicLeòid - MacLeòd's ditty 147

8 Marbhrann do dh'Iain Garbh Mac Gille Chaluim Ratharsair - Elegy for John 'Garve' MacLeod of Raasay 151

9 Òran Mòr MhicLeòid - The great song of MacLeod 155

10 Tog orm mo phìob - Lift my pipes upon me 159

11 Latha Inbhir Lòchaidh - The Battle of Inverlochy 161

12 Alasdair mhic Cholla ghasta - Alasdair, son of worthy Colla 165

13 Tha mi am chadal, na dùsgibh mi - I am asleep, don't waken me 169

14 An fhìdeag airgid - The silver whistle 173

15 Blàr na h-Eaglaise Brice - The Battle of Falkirk 175

16 Clò Mhic 'ille Mhìcheil - Carmichael's cloth 179

17 Mo rùn geal òg - My fair young love 185

18 Theàrlaich òig a' chuailein chiataich - Young Charles of the bonnie hair 190

19 Soraidh leis a' bhreacan ùr - Farewell to the lovely tartan 194

20 Dùthaich MhicLeòid - The Land of MacLeod 197

21 Gur toigh leam fhìn thu - I like you 199

22 Gur milis Mòrag - Sweet is Morag 202

23 Òran a' chogaidh (Gallipoli) - The song of the war (Gallipoli) 205

24 An eala bhàn - The white swan 208

25 Tha mi fo chùram an cùlaibh Èirinn - I am distressed to the west of Ireland 212

26 Deireadh Leave, 1940 - The end of Leave, 1940 215

27 Horo, 'illean - Horo, lads 217

3 Fearann is fògradh - Songs of land and longing

Introduction 221

1 Chaidh moill air mo lèirsinn - My vision is blurred 226

2 Beir soraidh bhuam - Bear greetings from me 229

3 Allt an t-Siùcair - The Sugar Brook 231

4 Moladh Beinn Dòbhrain - In praise of Ben Doran 235

5 Cead deireannach nam beann - Last farewell to the mountains 241

6 Smeòrach Chlann Dòmhnaill - Clan Donald's mavis 244

7 A' choille ghruamach - The gloomy forest 249

8 'S gann gun dirich mi chaoidh - It's unlikely I will ever climb again 254

9 Bràighe Loch Iall - The braes of Locheil 257

10 Fios chun a' bhàird (Òran bean Dhonnchaidh) - A message to the bard (Duncan's wife's song) 260

11 Guma slàn do na fearaibh - Farewell to the people 265

12 Dùthaich MhicAoidh - MacKay country (Sutherland) 267

13 Nuair bha mi òg - When I was young 270

14 Gur moch rinn mi dùsgadh - I awoke early 274

15 Och nan och, tha mi fo mhulad - Oh, alas, lam so sad 278

16 An Gàidheal a' fagail a dhùthcha - The Gael leaving his country 280

17 O mo dhùthaich- Oh, my land 284

18 Chì mi na mòr-bheanna - I will see the great mountains 288

19 'S cian nan cian bho dh'fhàg mi Leòdhas - It's a long, long time since I left Lewis 292

20 Mo dhùthaich - My land 295

21 Mo mhàthair - My mother 297

22 Gàidhlig Bharraigh - Barra Gaelic 300

23 An Innis Àigh - The Happy Isle 302

24 Eilean Sgalpaigh na Hearadh - Isle of Scalpay, Harris 304

25 Coille an Fhàsaich - Fasach wood 306

26 An Gleann san robh mi òg - The glen where I was young 309

27 Cànan nan Gàidheal - The language of the Gaels 312

4 Gaol is gràdh - Songs of love

Introduction 317

1 Am bròn binn - The melodious sorrow 322

2 Seathan mac Rìgh Èireann - Seán, the King of Ireland's son 326

3 Bothan àirigh am Bràigh Raineach - A sheiling hut on Rannoch Brae 330

4 An gille dubh ciar-dhubh - The dark, black-haired lad 333

5 An cùl bachallach - The curly hair 337

6 A Dhòmhnaill nan Dòmhnall - Donald of the Donalds 339

7 Am buachaille bàn - The fair-haired boy 342

8 O, 's tu 's gura tu th' air m' aire - Oh, it's you who are on my mind 345

9 Òran an amadain bhòidhich - The song of the handsome fool 348

10 Mo nighean bhuidhe bhàn - My yellow fair-haired girl 351

11 Cadal cha dèan mi - I cannot sleep 355

12 Iain Ghlinn Cuaich - John of Glen Cuach 358

13 Mas ann gam mhealladh - If you have deceived me 361

14 Thig an smeòrach as t-earrach - The mavis comes in springtime 364

15 Thig trì nithean gun iarraidh - Three things come uninvited 368

16 Bi falbh on uinneig - Go away from my window 373

17 Alasdair òig mhic 'ic Neacail - Young Alasdair, son of Nicol's son 376

18 Mìle marbhphaisg air a' ghaol - A thousand curses on love 378

19 Gur e mo ghille dubh-dhonn - He is my dark-brown haired lad 381

20 Gur tu mo bhean chomain - You are my beloved woman 383

21 A Mhàiri bhàn òg: òran da chèile nuadh-phòsta - Fair young Mary: a song for his new bride 386

22 Mo rùn geal, dìleas - My fair love so faithful 389

23 Fil ò ro (Is truagh nach d' rugadh dall mi) - Fil ò ro (I wish I had been born blind) 392

24 Nach gòrach mi gad chaoineadh - Am I not foolish weeping for you 397

25 Thug mi gaol dhut, thug mi gràdh dhut - I gave you love, I gave you devotion 399

26 Falt trom, trom, dualach - Heavy, heavy, curly hair 402

27 Gur gile mo leannan - My love is fairer 404

28 Duanag a' chiobair - The shepherd's song 407

29 Aodann Srath Bhàin - The Braes of Strathblane 411

30 A fhleasgaich òig as ceanalta - O young man most comely 415

31 Mo ghaol òigear a' chùil duinn - My darling is the brown-haired young man 418

32 Gur tu mo chruinneag bhòidheach - You are my lovely lassie 422

33 Tha mi fo chùram, hi iù ro èile - I am distressed, hi iù ro èile 425

34 Gràdh geal mo chrìdh - Fair love of my heart 428

35 A ghaoil, leig dhachaigh gum mhàthair mi - My love, let me home to my mother 430

36 A fhleasgaich òig, bi furachail - Young lad, be careful 433

37 Oran a' Mhàidseir - The song of the Major 436

38 Siud mar chuir mi 'n geamhradh tharam - That was how I spent the winter 440

39 Hè ro, nighean - Hè, my girl 442

40 Gaol na h-òige - Love of my youth 444

41 Càit an caidil an rìbhinn a-nochd? - Where does the maiden sleep tonight? 446

42 Mo chridhe trom, 's duilich leam - My heart is heavy, I am sad 448

43 Gruagach òg an fhuilt bhàin - Young fair-haired girl 451

44 Na Còig Peighinnean - Fivepenny 454

45 A nìghneag, a ghràidh - Girl that I love 458

46 Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh - The lament for John Roy 461

47 Na h-uain air an tulaich - The lambs on the green hills 463

48 Breisleach - Delirium 465

5 Spòrs is suirghe - Songs of courtship and conviviality

Introduction 469

1 Maighdeannan na h-àirigh - The maidens of the sheiling 475

2 A ghaoil, saoil am faigh mi thu? - My love, I wonder if I will win you? 480

3 Chan eil mi gun mhulad orm - I am not unsorrowful 483

4 Cò nì mire rium? - Who will sport with me? 485

5 Fear a bhios fada gun phòsadh / Tha mi dol a dhèanamh banais / Tha bean agam - A man who takes too long to marry / I am going to marry / I have a wife 488

6 'S i Mòrag a rinn a' bhanais / Làrach do thacaidean - It was Morag who had the wedding / The prints of your tackety boots 492

7 Sabhal 'ain 'ic Ùisdein / Pòg a leannan an fhìdhleir - John, son of Hugh's barn / A kiss for the fiddler's sweetheart 496

8 Òran a' bhotail - The song of the bottle 500

9 Hò rò na ribinnean / Gheibh sinn ribinnean mòra, mòra - Hora the ribbons / We'll get ribbons, big, big ones 503

10 Calum a' ghlinne - Calum of the glen 506

11 Bùth Dhòmhnaill 'ic Leòid - Donald MacLeod's pub 510

12 Fiullaigean - Wee Finlay 514

13 An fhaighir Mhuileach / Fear a' phige - The Mull fair / The drinking man 517

14 Bàs an eich - The death of the horse 523

Bibliography 527

Discography 533

General Index 539

Index of Song Titles 557

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