Passed Down through Voice and the Land…

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OUTLANDER

Original Gaelic Lyrics by Griogair Labhruidh

Seinnibh leam dàn
Gu nìghneag mo chrìdh
Nìghneag mo rùn ‘s mo ghràidh
Faicibh am bàt
‘S e togail bho thìr
Giùlain mo rìgh bho thràigh

Gailleann is fuachd
Bàirlinn is stuadh
‘G èirigh gu cruaidh bhon fhairge
Crònan nan tonn
Òran nan sonn
Bualadh le fonn gu garg oirr’

Prionnsa nam buadh
Frasaibh mu ghruaidh
Ainnir mo luaidh a’ falbh leis
Rìgh nam fear còir
Dh’fhàg sinn gun treòir
Lèir-chreach is glòir na h-Albann

Na fiùran bha treun
Bu chliùiteach am beus
Siol nam muc bhreun a mharbh iad
Ach chì sinn an là
Gun cluinn sinn mar bhà
Geumnaich an àil gu caithreamach

Skye Boat Song - Gaelic

Skye Boat Song - Gaelic (Translation)

Original Gaelic lyrics by Griogair Labhruidh (English translation)

Sing with me a song
To the girl of my heart
Girl of my desire and my love
See the boat
Heading from land
Carrying my king from the shore

Gale and cold
Breakers and swell
Rising harshly from the sea
The drone of the surge
Song of the heroes
Striking on it fiercely with melody

Prince of virtues
The spray on his cheek
Maiden of my love departs with him
King of just men
Who left us adrift
Devastation and glory of Scotland

The sturdy saplings
Their virtue was famed
Horde of the brutal beast who slaughtered them
But we will see the day
When we hear as before
The triumphant bellowing of their young

(Alasdair Mac Mhaighsitr Alasdair)

Hùg hó ill a ill ó
Hùg hó o ró nàill leibh
Hùg hó ill a ill ó
Seinn o ho ró nàill leibh

Moch sa mhadainn ‘s mi dùsgadh
’S mòr mo shunnd is mo cheòl-gàire
On a chuala mi am Prionnsa
Thighinn do dhùthaich Chlainn Ràghnaill

Gràinne-mullach gach rìgh thu
Slàn gum till thusa Theàrlaich
Is ann tha an fhìor-fhuil gun truailleadh
Anns a' ghruaidh is mòr nàire

Mar ri barrachd na h-uaisle
Dh' èirigh suas le deagh nàdar;
Is nan tigeadh tu rithist
Bhiodh gach tighearna na àite

Is nan càraicht an crùn ort
Bu mhùirneach do chàirdean;
Bhiodh Loch Iall mar bu chòir dha
Cur an òrdugh nan Gàidheal

Moch sa Mhadainn

Moch sa Mhadainn (Translation)

(Alexander MacDonald)

Hùg hó ill a ill ó
Hùg hó o ró nàill leibh
Hùg hó ill a ill ó
Seinn o ho ró nàill leibh

Early in the morning as I awake
My laughter and joy are great
Since I heard of the prince
Coming to Clanranald country

You are the greatest of all kings
Health to your return Charles
A true bloodline, unpolluted
Humility on your cheeks

As well as the height of nobility
Rising up with good nature
And if you came again
All lords would be in their place

And if the crown was fixed on you
Your friends would be happy
Locheil would be as he should be
Putting the Gaels in order

Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo,
Tha mi sgìth dhen an t-strì,
Seo an tìm dhòrainneach.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo.

Ged a tha mi fon choille
Chan eil coire ri chòmhdach orm.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo.

Thoir mo shoraidh thar linne
Dh’ionnsaidh ’ghlinne ’m bu chòir dhomh bhi.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo,
Tha mi sgìth dhen an t-strì,
Seo an tìm dhòrainneach.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo.

Thoir mo shoraidh le dùrachd
Gu Sgurr Ùrain,’s math m’ eòlas ann.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo.

’S a’ Bheinn Ghorm ‘am choinneamh
Leam bu shoilleir do neòineanan.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo,
Tha mi sgìth dhen an t-strì,
Seo an tìm dhòrainneach.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo.

Thoir mo shoraidh le coibhneas
Gu Tòrr Loighsich nan smèoraichean.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo.

Suas is sìos tro Ghleann Seile
’S tric a leag mi ’n damh cròic-cheannach.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo,
Tha mi sgìth dhen an t-strì,
Seo an tìm dhòrainneach.
Tha mi sgìth ’n fhògar seo.

Tha mi Sgìth ‘n Fhògar Seo

Tha mi Sgìth ‘n Fhògar Seo (Translation)

I am weary of this exile,
I am tired of the struggle.
This - the time of hardship,
I am weary of this exile.

Although condemned, I have done no wrong.
I am weary of this exile.

Send my greetings over the sea
To the glen of my heritage.
I am weary of this exile,
I am tired of the struggle.
This - the time of hardship,
I am weary of this exile.

Bear my greetings with a blessing
To Sgùrr Ùrain, I know it well.
I am weary of this exile.

The Green Mountain facing me,
I see your daisies clearly.
I am weary of this exile,
I am tired of the struggle.
This - the time of hardship,
I am weary of this exile.

Bear my greetings with kindness
To Tòrr Loighsich of the song-thrushes.
I am weary of this exile.

Up and down Glen Shiel –
There I hunted the antlered stag.
I am weary of this exile,
I am tired of the struggle.
This - the time of hardship,
I am weary of this exile.

FEATURES & SINGLES

Samhradh ceithir deug-bliadhna nam breug, san deachaidh
Alba a’ mhealladh le gealladh an fhealla-gnìomh;
Le cealg nach bu shealbhach a dhealbhachadh giamh-
Gar spìonadh bhon fhìrinn stoc agus freumh.

Am beachd mòr a dh’altruim thugashaltradh
Fo na casan aig Sasainn is luchd an airgeid fhèin –
Chuirte croisean geasan is seachd buaraichean sìth de shiubhla
Seachran ort, ‘s tu gun eachdraidh na Fèinn’.

Shin e! Mar a thuirt b’ fhìor a Chrìosdaidh!
B’ iad meadhanan an fhaoineis a chaochail an fhìrinn.
Breug air a craoladh – sgeul air a chlaonadh
Sheasadh an t-aonadh ‘s a shaodadh na caoraich.

They were tellin those crazy lies,
No surprise, promise was a fabrication –
So when your hearin them speak beware I do declare,
You gotta check the information;
If you believe in everythin you hear,
Feelin the fear – you gotta get an education –
Coz we were there when it was all revealed,
Signed and sealed they tricked another generation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's contest! From Edinburgh, Scotland weighing in at 300 years of disenfranchised generations with a new chance for self-determination and a sustainable, peaceful, prosperous future – the 'Yes' campaign! From Westminster, England, weighing 167 billion pounds this year alone on nuclear weapons – austerity, class inequality, a plan to push Brexit against our will and many other goodies in store; the 'Better Together' campaign. Take your pick!”

Traicleis na bèiste, faiceallach ga èisteachd –
Dalladh air ar lèirsinn san rèis ud a bha carach;
’S a rìgh nach mòr an dèistinn a thàinig às an t-sèist ud,
Fonn a rinn ar trèigsinn ‘s a dh’atharraich ar barail.

An cochall-craicinn a bh’ ort ‘ille mhòir,
Ghabh thu maighstir ‘s gun thu faicinn an nì a chaidh à sealladh;
Turrach air tharrach le barrachd dhrabhais agus fealladh –
’S olc an airidh mar dh’fhairich thu gairm Cuthaige gad mhealladh.

Ha! Tùs agus deireadh an sgeòil –
Albainn air albann a' togail a ceann as a cheò;
Tro na neòil le faram a’ seinn le ceòl,
Gach deò togail sgleò le caithream a’ tighinn beò!

They were tellin those crazy lies,
No surprise, promise was a fabrication –
So when your hearin them speak beware I do declare,
You gotta check the information;
If you believe in everythin you hear,
Feelin the fear – you gotta get an education –
Coz we were there when it was all revealed,
Signed and sealed they tricked another generation.

2014 - Feat. Alan Cumming

Hò rò 's na hùg i bho rò
Hò ro eile 's hò ill o rò
Hò rò 's na hùg i bho rò
Hò ro eile 's hò ill o rò

Growin' up in Scotland in the '90s
I was heir to the crises of a century or more
A language beaten from the tongues of our young
And our heroes unsung with a past they ignore

Gàidhlig luachmhar cainnt mo luaidh-sa
Roots deep down entwined into the core
The heart and soul of the land they stole
A way to control what we were told from before

An t-iomadh cràdhlot fraoch ga dheargnachadh
Le fìor-fhuil Ghàidhealach nan laoch air garbhlach
Beigleidean fuileach – na h-uile gam marbhadh
Gun trocair gun ònar b' e sin òrdugh nan searbhag

And then the people were exiled for textiles
Lies and Empire set fire to shame
Na h-Albannaich dalma a shaltraich na mealltairean
Fealltach 's iad gun sealladh air cothrom na Fèinn'

Can you hear the voices
Speak out so many generations on?
Can you hear the truth now?
How they stole our tongue and made us feel so wrong
You can hear the music
When the piper plays or when I sing my song
But will you hear the message
Of how they made us feel like we don't belong?

Written out of history, Scotland's sons
The forgotten ones, it's no mystery they taught us none
Of these truths about this land
And how I'm speakin' a language that the people don't understand

A' tearbadh gun mhearachd ac' throimh bheuc-thonnaibh na gailinne
Len lannan 's iad gu dealarach a sheasadh iad gu dearbhadh
Am fearalas gun chearbachd san treas a thug ar seanairean
Na garbh-bhuilean marbhtach an treubh a bha gun fhannachadh

Seas do chànan 'ill 'oìg na leig air dìochuimhn'
Na daoine bhon d'thàinig thu làidir nan cuid-ghnìomhan
'S mar chuirte a ruaig air na na daoine thuinich rìamh
Ann an dùthaich nan laoch do ghach taobh gun d' rinn iad triall ann

All still relevant, every single element
Truly compelling, I'm not tellin' it for the hell of it
Past has a funny way of speakin' to the present
Time to show respect, time to learn the lesson

Can you hear the voices
Speak out so many generations on?
Can you hear the truth now?
How they stole our tongue and made us feel so wrong
You can hear the music
When the piper plays or when I sing my song
But will you hear the message
Of how they made us feel like we don't belong?

Can you hear the voices
Speak out so many generations on?
Can you hear the truth now?
How they stole our tongue and made us feel so wrong
You can hear the music
When the piper plays or when I sing my song
But will you hear the message
Of how they made us feel like we don't belong?

Tired of seein' my culture always getting downplayed
Hò rò 's na hùg i bho rò
You'd never know by what they show in how it's portrayed
Hò ro eile 's hò ill o rò
The matter at hand of stolen land goin' unsaid
Hò rò 's na hùg i bho rò
Fakers makin' out that it's good so they can get paid!
Hò ro eile 's hò ill o rò

Thàinig naigheachd orm an dè
Hò rò 's na hùg i bho rò
Sgeul tha fìor nach fhaod mi clèith
Hò ro eile 's hò ill o rò

Sliochd nan Gàidheal gun àit' fon ghrèin
Hò rò 's na hùg i bho rò
Cogrich nar dùthaich fhèin - mar Oisein truagh an dèidh na Fèinn'

Can you hear the voices
Speak out so many generations on?
Can you hear the truth now?
How they stole our tongue and made us feel so wrong
You can hear the music
When the piper plays or when I sing my song
But will you hear the message
Of how they made us feel like we don't belong?

Can you hear the voices
Speak out so many generations on?
Can you hear the truth now?
How they stole our tongue and made us feel so wrong
You can hear the music
When the piper plays or when I sing my song
But will you hear the message
Of how they made us feel like we don't belong?

Hò rò 's na hùg i bho rò
Hò ro eile 's hò ill o rò
Hò rò 's na hùg i bho rò
Hò ro eile 's hò ill o rò

Exiles - Feat. Billy Boyd

Dail-riata

Caristìona

Nach fhreagair thu, Chairistiona?

e hò hi hu rù bhi
o horo hì ò hò ro ho
e hò hi hu rù bhi

Nam freagradh gun cluinninn fhìn thu,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Thug mi bliadhna ’n cùirt an rìgh leat;
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Ged theirinn e thug mi trì ann,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Chì mi luingeas an Caol Ìle,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Tighinn a dh’iarraidh Cairistìona,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Gus a cur san talamh ìseal,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Fo na leacan troma, dìlinn
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

’N turas thug thu a Ghleann Comhann,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Ghèarr thu leum nach faod mi tomhas –
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Bha ’n fhairge trom ’s an caolas domhainn
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

’S ged dh’fhaodadh, cha dèan mi ’n gnothach:
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Cha bhi Cairistìona romham.
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Caristìona (Translation)

Will you not answer, Cairistiona?

e hò hi hu rù bhi
ho horo hì ò hò ro ho
e hò hi hu rù bhi

If you would I would hear,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

I spent three years in the King’s court with you;
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Although I would say it was three,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

I see a boat in the Kyles of Islay,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Coming for Cairistiona,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

To put her in the low-lying ground,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

under the heavy slabs, forever,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

The trip you took from Glen Coe,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

You leapt a distance I can’t measure—
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

The sea was wild and the caolas was deep,
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

And although I could, I won’t do it;
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Cairistiona will not be before me.
e hò hi hu rù bhi..

Siubhal a’ Choire

Chunnaic mi ’n Coire, haoi ò,
Deas ’s i fo h-uidheam, ho rò

Thog sinn a-mach air a’ mhachair uaine,
Dh’fhuair sinn a’ Gharbhaird ghailbheach, ghruamach,
Leum on iardheas siontan cruaidh oirnn,
haoi ò, ’s i ’n Coire a bh’ ann!

Thog i a ceann ri ceann nan fuar-thonn,
’N tè dhubh chaol, nì gaoir na gluasad,
Thog i seinn is rinn i ruathar:
’S i ’n Coire i fhéin a bh’ ann!

Chunnaic mi ’n Coire, haoi ò,
Deas ’s i fo h-uidheam, ho rò

Shìn i sgòd le cruas na cruaidhach,
Shìn i taobh ri taobh nan stuadhan,
Shìn i ceum a cheumadh chuantan,
Haoi ò ’s i ’n Coire a bh’ ann!

Bhuail i beum le beul ’s i tuaireangadh,
Thug i sad le sgar a gualne,
Gheàrr i leòn sròin ’s i luasgan:
’S i ’n Coire i fhéin a bh’ ann!

Chunnaic mi ’n Coire, haoi ò,
Deas ’s i fo h-uidheam, ho rò

Eilean Aoidh, gum b’ aoibh a nualan,
Àird Mhìc Laomainn a gaoir gum b’ uaibhreach,
Os cionn na h-Innse sheinn i duanag,
Haoi ò ’s i ’n Coire a bh’ ann!

Cha robh nar sùilean ach smùid a sràcan,
Cathadh is siabann o chìr nam bàirlin,
Cha robh nar cluais ach fuaim a stàireil,
’S i an Coire i fhéin a bh’ ann!

Siubhal a’ Choire (Translation)

I saw the Corrie, haoi o,
elegant in full sail, ho ro

We made our way out across the green plain,
We weathered the tempestuous, gloomy Garvel,
Hard squalls set upon us from the southwest,
Haoi o it was the Corrie;

She raised her head against the cold wave heads,
The black slender one who wails as she moves,
She sang aloud and forged ahead;
It was the Corrie herself!

I saw the Corrie, haoi o,
Elegant in full sail, ho ro

She stretched her sheet with the rigidity of steel,
She stretched her flank to the flank of the waves,
She stretched her step to step over oceans,
Haoi o it was the Corrie;

She gave a whack with her mouth, buffeting,
She struck a blow with the joint of her shoulder,
She carved out a gash with her nose as she rolled
It was the Corrie herself!

I saw the Corrie, haoi o,
Elegant in full sail, ho ro

At Eilean Aoidh, joyful her roaring,
At Ardlamont, her howling was haughty,
Up off Inchmarnock she sang a ditty,
Haoi o it was the Corrie;

We could see only the smoke from her blows,
Spindrift and spray from the crest of the waves,
We could hear only the sound of her bellowing,
It was the Corrie herself!

Na Brògan Dannsaidh

Cha dèan na brògan dannsaidh,
An gnothach idir dhomh,
’S olc na brògan dannsaidh
Nach maireadh idir dhomh-sa

Na brògan fhuair mi an Dùn-Phrìs
Ged a bha iad bòidheach pìollach,
Thug mi ’n charraig iad gam milleadh,
’S gun d’rinn thusa an stròiceadh

‘S robh mi gutta-percha daor dhomh
’S shaoil mi e ’ bhith saor ri cheannach
Thug e na builg air mo bhuin
’S bidh cuimhn’ agam ri m’ bheò air

Dh’èirich an t-uachdar on bhonn
’S bha m’ òrdag mhòr air lom na dallach
Sgaoil na deireannaean ‘on sàiltean
’S rinn iad m’ fhàgail comhla

Cha bhi mi coslach ri càch
Ged theid mi gu bàl na banais
B’fheàrr dhomh ’n dìbhearsain a chall
Na dannsadh le droch bhrògan

Bha iad olc gu leum na fèitheadh
’S cha robh feum annt anns a’ charraid
’S dh’fheumainn fuireach fad ‘on grìosaich
Ged ’ bhiodh m’ fheusaig reòthte

Am fear a thàth ri chèile ’n tus iad
Cha toir mise tùrn dha tuilleadh
On a mheall e mi le foill
Gur ann a thoill e ‘chòrcach

Mur a dealaich e ri dhòighean
Cha toir duine beò dha cuirean
Faodaidh e ’n doras a dhùnadh
’S laigh ’n cùil na mòna

’N t-airgead a chruinnich mi fhìn
A’ reic nam bioball anns gach baile
’S mòr am milleadh air mo chliù
A thoirt do dhiù na gròigean

 

 

Na Brògan Dannsaidh (Translation)

The dancing shoes won’t do me at all, at all
The dancing shoes are no use
They wouldn’t last me at all

 The shoes I got in Dumfries
Although they were lovely and unusual looking
I took to the rocks with them and spoiled them
And that tore them to bits

The gutta-percha was expensive for me
And I thought it would be cheap
It gave me blisters on my soles
And I’ll never forget it

The upper came away from the sole
And my big toe was sticking out
The heels split from the backs
And they both fell off me

I’ll really stand out
If I go to the wedding dance
I’d prefer to miss out on all the fun
Than dance with rubbish shoes

They were no use on the moor
And they were useless when I got cold and tired
I would have to stay away from the fire
Although my beard be frozen

The man who put them together in the first place
I’ll never give him a turn again
Since he deceived me with his treachery
He deserves the rope

If he doesn’t change his ways
No-one will give him a turn again
He can just shut the door
And lie out at the back of the moor

The money that I had saved up
Selling bibles in every village
My reputation is spoiled
Having considered the botcher useful

 

Àirde Chuain

Eadar-theangaichte bhon Ghàidhlig Èireannach le G. Labhruidh & T. Mac’IllEathain

Nam bithinn fhìn an Àirde Chuain
Ri taobh an t-slèibh ud tha fad’ uam,
B’ annsa leam a dhol air chuairt
Gu Gleann nan Cuach Didòmhnaich.

Agus och, och Èire uile is ò
Èire lionn-dubh agus ò
’S e mo chridh’ tha trom agus brònach

Is iomadh Nollaig a bha mi fhìn
’M Bun Abhainn’ Doinne is mi gun cheill
Ag iomain air an Tràigh Bhàin
Mo chaman bàn nam dhòrn leam.

Nach tùrsach mis’ an seo leam fhìn
Nach aithnicht’ guth coilich, lòn-dubh no draon,
Gealbhan, smeòrach, an naosg fhèin,
Is chan aithnichinn fhìn an Dòmhnach.

Nach e an caothach seo ’tha buan
Is air an t-seòl a thrèigeas cluan
Dhealaicheas ’chaora on uan
’S dhealaicheas uam-sa m’ òige.

Nam biodh agam fhìn ach coit’ is ràimh
Leis gun iomairinn thar an t-sàimh,
An dùil le Dia gun ruiginn slàn
Is gum faighinn bàs an Èirinn.

Àirde Chuain (Translation)

Translated from Irish to Scottish Gaelic by G Labhruidh & N. MacLean

I wish I was in Àirde Chuain,
Beside yon mountain that is so far from me
I would love to go on a visit
To the Cuckoo Glen (Glendun) on Sunday

And och, och, all Ireland, ó
Ireland, sadness and ó
My heart is heavy and sad

Many’s a Christmas I myself was
In Cushendun without a care
Playing hurling on the white beach
My white hurley stick in my hand.

Aren’t I weary here alone by myself?
Here I don’t hear cry of cock, blackbird or corncrake,
Sparrow, thrush or even the snipe,
And I can’t tell which day is Sunday.

This is an endless struggle,
And it makes life an illusion.
It separates the sheep from the lambs,
And it separates me from my youth.

If I only had a boat and an oar
To row over the waves
Hoping to God to arrive safely
And so to die in Ireland.

 

*Tha mo chridh’-sa a’ seinn gu treun
Mu ’n tìr bu dual dhomh ’s do chainnt na Fèinn’,
Dùthaich mhaiseach a rinn m’ àrach;
Tìr nan sàr-laoch ‘s nam beanntan àrd. *

Mi ’n seo nam chrùban ’s mi cianail tùrsach,
Gun tàmh gun sunnd is mo shaoghal gun sìth,
Cha bàs no buaireadh a dhùisg mo smuairean,
Cha fuath nan cruinneag a bhuail mo chridh’,
Ach ’s e na chràidh mi – cionn-fàth mo lèireamh –
Ged theireadh càch gur ann cràiteach mi;
’S e sìol na gràisge chaidh an cur le Sasainn
An tìr na Gàidhlig a ghleus mo strì.

’S gach àite’ dhan tèid mi tha m’ chluas ag èisteachd
Ri luchd na Beurla ’tha fanachd ann,
’S ged rug’ mi fhìn ann an tìr tha iosal,
Bu dual dham shinnsreadh tìr àrd nam beann.
Tìr eagach fhraochach, tìr lochach chraobhach,
Tìr nan laoch is nan cinneadh fìor;
Mar bhroinn mo mhàthar chuir smior nam chnàmhan,
Leam-s’ tha ’n àrd-thìr nam flath san iar.

Ged thogadh fuath dhuibh an tìm a’ chruadail,
’S gun deach thar chuain cuid dhe ur àl a bh’ ann,
Tha cainnt mo luiaidh-sa fo dhìonachd stuadhan
Nan eilean luachmhor, ’s i fhathast neo-ghann.
Ach seall nur lèirsinn ur laoigh gur trèigsinn -
’S iad dèanamh rèiteach le nàimhaid cruaidh,
Mar chlann na h-Èireann nach dèan sibh èirigh?
Ur airm gan gleusadh le beul an t-sluaigh.

’S e bu dual dhuibh an dream bha buadhmhor,
A chòsg dhuinn cliù thar gach sluagh fon ghrèin’,
’S iad air an stiùireadh le daoine fuadain
’S an cainnt ga sgùrsadh le gnàthsan cèin’.
Ach ’s e mo dhùrachd gun dèan sinn dùsgadh
’S gun tèid ar cùl ris na fàsain ùr’
’S gun èirich suim dha ar dualchas uasal –
’S gun gabh gu h-uaibhreach ar sliochd an stiùir!

Dail-riata

Dail-riata (Translation)

My heart sings out strongly
Of the beautiful land frequented by the Fingalians,
The gorgeous land from which I rose
Land of the true Highland heroes

I sit here hunched over saddened and tired,
Without rest or joy and my world without peace,
’Tis not death or temptation that has awoken my thoughts,
’Tis not unrequited love that has struck my heart,
But what has hurt me, the cause of my wounding –
Although most will say I am just bitter;
It is the seed of the rabble that was planted from England
Into the land of the Gaelic that has stirred my fight.

In every place I go my ears must listen
To the non Gaels who are living there,
And although I was born near the Lowlands,
My people are from the high land of the mountains,
Land of sharp cliffs, land of lochs and trees,
Land of heroes and the clans;
Like my mother’s womb that put marrow in my bones
Is the high land of the heroes in the west.

Although many mistreated you in the times of hardship,
And some of your young went over the seas,
The language I love still lives protected by the waves
Of the precious islands and she is still not scarce.
But look in your vision your young forsaking you –
Consorting with a sworn enemy,
Like the children of Ireland will you not rise?
Your arms being the opinion of the people.

Your natives are the race which won virtue,
Who won us a reputation above all others,
Controlled by the foreigners,
Their language is driven out with foreign ways,
But my wish is that we will wake up –
And put our backs to the new fashions;
That respect will arise for our noble culture
That our people will proudly take control!