I learned this beautiful Catalan song while on my year abroad in Barcelona in 2018. I would attend a singing group every week who so kindly welcomed me with open arms, and I have such fond memories with them.
The group was led by Xavier Rota Boada and this is one of the many songs which really stuck with me. It is a traditional tale of the supernatural, which reminds me so much of some of the songs of Gaelic tradition. I have always felt very at home singing songs belonging to Catalan tradition, and I believe this is because of these strong similarities.
lyrics
Alli dalt de la muntanya,
Alli dalt de la muntanya,
Si n’hi havia una font viva.
Viva l’amor!
Viva l’amor, que l’amor viva!
Viva l’amor!
Hi havia un cérvol que hi bevia.
Hi havia un cérvol que hi bevia.
Un caçador l’hi espia.
Caçador, mira, no em tiris;
No en só cérvol, que en só nina.
Só filla del rei d’Hongria.
Ai nina, si jo ho sabia.
Ai nina, si jo ho sabia.
Amb tu bé m’hi casaria.
No em dieu pas si us voldria?
No em dieu pas si us voldria?
Ai nina jo ho provaria
credits
from An Nighean Sheunta - The Enchanted Girl,
released October 20, 2023
Katie – vocals
Xavier Rota Boada – backing vocals
Patri Garcia - backing vocals
Michael Biggins – piano
Roo Geddes – violin
Seonaid Aitken – violin
Patsy Reid – viola
Alice Allen – cello
James Lindsay – double bass
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So pleased to see your second album on its way. I’ve just about worn a hole in your first CD because I love it so much. Cannae wait due the whole thing to appear on 4th May. The taster track is AWESOME!! 🙏 floradouglas
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