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This compelling song seems to be known only in Inverness County, specifically from around the Broad Cove/Dunvegan area. A number of years ago, a local fellow was so fond of singing it that he was nicknamed “Iain Hi Rì Him Bò”. The song tells the story of a victorious hunter returning home, after being away chasing the deer, to discover his sweetheart has become betrothed to another. My text here is once again based on the recorded singing of Lachlan Dhòmhnaill Nìll.

Hi rì him bò hill ò bha rò hò
Hi rì him bò hìrì ri ri ù
Hi rì him bo hill ò bha rò hò

Chì mi, chì mi, chì mi thall ud,
Chì mi na féidh air a’ bhearradh,

Chì mi na féidh..., etc.
‘S an giomanach fhéin nan deaghaidh,

‘S an giomanach fhéin..., etc.
Le ghunna caol ‘s a mhial-choin sheanga

Dìreadh bheann ‘s a’ teàrnadh ghleannan

Dh’fhàg thu an damh donn gun anail

Anns a’ fhraoch a’ sileadh faladh

Bha do mhial-choin sgìth ‘ga leanaid

Bha na gillean sgìth ‘ga tharraing

Bial an anmoich ‘tighinn gu baile

Far am faighte biadh gun ghainnead

l ‘s ceòl ‘s òran thairis

Tha sgeul ùr a’ tighinn gu baile

Chan e sgeul ùr a th’ann ach naidheachd

Gun do réitich mo chiad leannan

Vocals & foot: Mary Jane Lamond

Hi rì him bò

This compelling song seems to be known only in Inverness County, specifically from around the Broad Cove/Dunvegan area. A number of years ago, a local fellow was so fond of singing it that he was nicknamed “Iain Hi Rì Him Bò”. The song tells the story of a victorious hunter returning home, after being away chasing the deer, to discover his sweetheart has become betrothed to another. My text here is once again based on the recorded singing of Lachlan Dhòmhnaill Nìll.

Hi rì him bò
Hi rì him bò hill ò bha rò hò
Hi rì him bò hìrì ri ri ù
Hi rì him bo hill ò bha rò hò

I can see yonder into the distance
I can see the deer at the edge of the precipice.

I can see the deer ... etc.
And the hunter in their pursuit.

And the hunter... etc.
With his slender barrelled gun and gaunt deer hounds.

With his slender...etc.
Climbing the mountains and descending the glens' slopes.

Climbing the mountains... etc.
You (the hunter) left the brown stag breathless.

You (the hunter) left... etc.
In the heather, dripping blood.

In the heather... etc.
Your deerhounds were wearied by its pursuit.

Your deerhounds were... etc.
The attendants were fatigued by its carrying.

The attendants were... etc.
In the nightfall arriving home.

In the nightfall... etc.
Where food was got without scarcity.

Where food was... etc.
Drink and music and song.

Drink and music... etc.
A new tale is arriving home.

A new tale... etc.
Its not a new tale but news.

Its not a new... etc.
That my first love has betrothed.

Vocals & foot: Mary Jane Lamond