A Gaelic song written by the Melbost bard; the late Murchadh MacPhàrlain, in which he tells of his beloved nephew moving from their village of Melbost to Tong and the sadness he feels without him there. I learned this from renowned Gaelic singer Christine Primrose while studying for a year at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. I am lucky enough to be joined on the choruses here by wonderful Gaelic singer Gillebrìde MacIllemhaoil of South Uist.
lyrics
Gu dè ged a dh’èireadh a’ ghrian,
Gu dè ged a ghoireadh na h-eòin?
Ceòl pìoba na fìdhle cha dèan
Gean aignidh dhomh dhùsgadh dham dheòin.
Sèist:
Thug iad a Thung a’ bhradain ‘s a’ mhurain thu,
Thug iad a-null a dh’fhuireach, o lurain, thu;
A-null air an fhadhail mo bhalachan bàn chaidh
A-null air an fhadhail mo bhalachan bàn chaidh.
Gu dè ged a chinneadh mo bhàrr,
Lionmhor ged dh’fhàsadh mo bhuar?
Cha lìon is cha bhlàthaich siud d’ àit
Às d’ eugmhais tha fàs falamh fuar.
Gur binne gu mòr leam do ghàir
Na ’n ceòl thig o chlàrsaich nan teud,
Na ’n uiseag air moch mhadainn Mhàigh,
Na chuthag ’s gug-gug aic’ air gheug.
Gur cùbhraidh na anail nan ròs
No seòrach nan còs ’s i fo dhrùchd
No tùiseanan tùisear den òr
Leam faoilt agus neo-chiont do ghnùis
Biodh aingleaan nam fair ort nad shuain
’S do bhruadar gun bhruaillean a ghràidh
Builicht ort gun robh an gliocas o shuas
’S gach subhailc ni an saoghal nas fheàrr
Chaoidh do cholainn na agradh an Stàit
Gu bhith leatha ’s na blàiribh ri spòrs
Mar nach biodh annad, a ghràidh,
Ach tàileasg len cluichear air bòrd.
O sguiribh, luchd eanchainnean geur’
Dheilbh lèir-sgrios a dh’oidhche ’s a lò;
Ur n-eagnaidheachd cuiribh gu feum
Is fàgaibh mo bhalachan-sa beò.
credits
from An Nighean Sheunta - The Enchanted Girl,
released October 20, 2023
Katie – vocals
Gillebrìde MacIllemhaoil – vocals
Michael Biggins – piano
Roo Geddes – violin
Seonaid Aitken – violin
Patsy Reid – viola
Alice Allen – cello
Pablo Lafuente – guitar
James Lindsay – double bass
Signy Jakobsdottir - percussion
supported by 9 fans who also own “Thug Iad a Thung Thu”
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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