Gur e mo rùn an Dòmhnallach
(It is my love the MacDonald Man)

[listen: mp3]  [read english version]

I got this song from a recording of Dan Morrison from the North Shore, made by the folklorist, Sidney Cowell for the Smithsonian Institute in the 1950’s. Dan Morrison was known as “Montana Dan” as he spent many years in Montana working as a shepherd. His singing on the tape was so enthusiastic and I enjoyed the melody so much I knew as soon as I heard this one I would be learning it! As is typical in so many milling songs this young woman is singing longingly of her lover who is away at sea. My thanks to Paul MacDonald for providing the recording from the Smithsonian Institute.

“....I see a ship on the ocean, far from me its sailing.
It is my sweetheart who is steering, with the snow coating the backs of his fists...”

Hug hoirionn o, ro huiribh o,
Gur e mo rùn an Dòmhnallach.
Hug hoirionn o, ro huiribh o.

Chi mi soitheach air a' chuan,
Gur fada bhuam a' sheòlas i.

'Se mo leannan tha ga stiùireadh,
'Sneachd' air chùl a dhòrnannan.

I air luchdachadh gu trom,
Air bhàrr nan tonn a sheòlas i.

Air a luchdachadh le sìoda,
Lìonmhor pìos tha dhòmhsa dheth.

Cha tèid mise thaigh an dannsa,
Teann a bhios an ceòl orm.

Cha tèid mise ' thaigh an luaidh,
Cha bhi mo luaidh ri òran ann.

Muladach mi ' dìreadh bruthach,
'S gun mo phiuthar còmhla rium.

Muladach mi tighinn gu baile,
'S gun mo leannan còmhla rium

Gur e mo rùn an Dòmhnallach
(It is my love the MacDonald Man)

Chorus:
Hug hoirionn o, ro huiribh o,
My love is the Mac Donald man,
Hug hoirionn o, ro huiribh o,

I see a ship on the ocean,
Far from me it's sailing.

It is my sweetheart who is steering,
With the snow coating the backs of his fists.

It is heavy-laden,
And sails on the crest of the waves.

Laden with silk,
A good part of it is for me.

I won't go to the dance-hall,
The music will affect me too much.

I won't go to the milling house,
Since my lover won't be singing songs there.

Sad I am climbing the hillside,
And my sister not with me.

Sad I am coming to town,
And my sweetheart not with me