[read english version]

I was first drawn to this song when I heard Willie Fraser (singer/step dancer extraordinaire!) from Deep Dale, Inverness County singing it. The poet painstakingly details his sweetheart’s virtues and his love for her even though she has left him for another. This version is based on a transcription by Dr. John Shaw, from the singing of Lachlann Dhòmhnaill Nìll that appeared in Am Bràighe, a Celtic Newspaper published in Mabou, Cape Breton.

Ho rò mo nighean donnnnn bhòidheach nan
gorm-shùil meallach
‘S truagh nach robh sinn
còmhla ged bhitheamaid falamh
O mo nighean donn
bhòidheach nan gorm-shùil meallach

A-raoir a rinn mi ‘m bruadal
Dh’fhàg mo chadal luaineach
Mur dèan mi do bhuannachd
‘S truagh nach robh mi ‘s an talamh

T’aghaidh thana nàrach
Gu sealltainn an sgàthan
‘Mheud ‘s a thug mi m’ghràdh dhut
A dh’fhàg mi air m’aineol

Tha do chliù ‘s do bheusan
Co-mire ri chéile
‘S binne na na teudan
An téis a thig fo t’anail

‘S math thig an t-òmar
Am broilleach na h-òighidh
Stocainn shìod’ ‘s brògan
Bùcaill òir ‘gan ceangal

Ach ma chuir thu cùl rium
Coma liom co-dhiubh thu
‘S mo shoraidh ‘gad ionnsaidh
Tha mi ‘n dùrachd mhath dhut

Cello: Anne Bourne
Backup Vocals: Laurel MacDonald
Drums: Glenn Milchen
Guitar: Rob Piltch “Ebow”
guitar/percussion: Philip Strong
Bass: David Woodhead
Loom sounds: Vicki Quinby
(Loom recorded by David Hillier in Orangedale, Cape Breton)

A Love Song (Gormshuil Meallach)

I was first drawn to this song when I heard Willie Fraser (singer/step dancer extraordinaire!) from Deep Dale, Inverness County singing it. The poet painstakingly details his sweetheart’s virtues and his love for her even though she has left him for another. This version is based on a transcription by Dr. John Shaw, from the singing of Lachlann Dhòmhnaill Nìll that appeared in Am Bràighe, a Celtic Newspaper published in Mabou, Cape Breton.

Horo my pretty brown-haired girl with the enticing blue eyes. If only we could be together though we had nothing, O' my pretty brown-haired girl with the enticing blue eyes.

Last night I had a dream,
Which left my sleep disturbed;
If I cannot win you,
I would rather be in the ground.

Your slender, shy face
Well suited for the mirror;
The love that I've given you,
Has left me confused and lost.

Your good name and virtues,
Complement each other;
Sweeter than the sound of strings,
Is the music you make under your breath.

Amber on the maiden's breast
Becomes her:
Likewise silk stocking and shoes
With gold buckles to secure them.

But now you have left me
I must learn to live without you;
This is my farewell to you
For I still wish you well.

Cello: Anne Bourne
Backup Vocals: Laurel MacDonald
Drums: Glenn Milchen
Guitar: Rob Piltch “Ebow”
guitar/percussion: Philip Strong
Bass: David Woodhead
Loom sounds: Vicki Quinby
(Loom recorded by David Hillier in Orangedale, Cape Breton)