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I grew to like this milling song after hearing it sung by Jim Watson and Frances MacEachen at house parties. There are only a few of the older singers in Cape Breton today who can remember having heard it. Jim got the air from his neighbour the late Collie Angain Dhòmhnaill a’ Chùbair (Collie MacIntosh), River Denys, Inverness County. A setting recorded by John Lorne Campbell is printed in his book Songs Remembered in Exile.

Seinn o ho rò
Seinn o ho rò leannain,
Seinn o ho rò seinn.

Gura muladach tha mi,
‘S mi air àirigh chruidh-bhainne.

Gura muladach sgìth mi,
‘S mi leam fhìn an tìr m’aineoil.

Cha b’ionnann mar bha mi,
Man do dh’fhàg mi ‘m Bràigh Raineach.

Le m’phiuthar ‘s le mo bhràthair,
Cead bhith mànran ri m’leannan.

Ann am bothag an t-sùgraidh,
‘S e ba dùnadh dhi barrach.

Ann an Eilean nan Leòdach,
Far am pòs gach caileag.

‘Se bu leaba dhuinn luachair,
‘S e bu chluasag dhuinn canach.

Seinn, o ho rò, Ruairidh,
Bidh daoin-uasal’ air do bhanais.

Seinn, o ho rò, Thormaid,
Fhir nan gorm-shùilean meallach.

‘S ged nach bi mi ‘ga innse,
‘S ann an Ile tha mo leannan.

‘S ged nach bi mi ‘ga ràidhtinn,
Thug mi gràdh dhut ‘s mi ‘m leanabh.

Backup vocals: Laurel MacDonald,
Guitars: Laurel MacDonald and Philip Strong, “Toob”/Percussion: Philip Strong

Seinn O

I grew to like this milling song after hearing it sung by Jim Watson and Frances MacEachen at house parties. There are only a few of the older singers in Cape Breton today who can remember having heard it. Jim got the air from his neighbour the late Collie Angain Dhòmhnaill a’ Chùbair (Collie MacIntosh), River Denys, Inverness County. A setting recorded by John Lorne Campbell is printed in his book Songs Remembered in Exile.

Seinn O
Sing o ho rò sing,
Sing o ho rò darling,
Sing o ho rò sing.

I am sad on sheiling of dairy cattle
I am sad and weary, alone in an unknown land.
My circumstances are unlike they were
before leaving Rannoch Moor.

(I was) with my brother and sister and had
permission to dally with my sweetheart.
In the little hut of lovemaking, its entrnace
was closed with brush tops.
In the Isle of Lewis, where every girl will wed.
Our bed was rushes, our pillow was bog cotton.
Sing, o ho rò, Rory.
Noblemen will attend your wedding feast.
Sing, o ho rò, Norman of the blue beguiling eyes
Although I won't reveal it,
my sweetheart dwells in Islay.
Although I won't say it, I have loved you
since I was a child.

Backup vocals: Laurel MacDonald,
Guitars: Laurel MacDonald and Philip Strong, “Toob”/Percussion: Philip Strong