I descend from a long line of blacksmiths, ending with my grandfather, Big Murdo.
He was also a soldier in the first world war. This verse about him comes from Helen Creighton's collection : "Gaelic Songs in Nova Scotia."


FAILL IL ElLEADH, FAILL IL 0

Moderately fast, rhythmic

FONN: Faill il éileadh, faill il o
First the heel and then the toe.
Pack you kits, and off you go.
Hurrah for our commanders.
Murchadh Mór, an gobhainn ruadh,
Ged nach biodh aig' ach an tuagh,
Gheibh an "Kaiser" sud mu'n ghruaidh
When we go over to Flanders

(Translation)

FAILL IL EILEADH, FAILL IL 0
CHORUS:        Fàill ii éileadh, fOul ii o.
First the heel and then the toe.
Pack your kits, and off we go.
Hurrah for our commanders.
Big Murdo, the red-haired smith,
Although he would only have an axe
Would strike it against the Kaiser's cheek
When we go over to Flanders.