The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #171039   Message #4137316
Posted By: Felipa
20-Feb-22 - 04:43 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: S Daor A Cheannaich Mi'n t-Iasgach
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: S Daor A Cheannaich Mi'n t-Iasgach
words for Ishbel MacAskill recording are published at http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/macaskill/sdaor.htm

The title means "I paid dearly for the fishing". It's a lament for someone who has drowned.

Tha do phiuthar gun bhràthair
'S tha do mhàthair gun mhacan.

Tha do bhean òg gun chèile
'S tha mi fhìn dheth gun dalta.

your sister is without a brother
your mother without a son
Your young wife without a spouse
And myself without my foster child

According to the BBC Bliadhna nan Òrain page, this song probably dates from the 18th century. Taigh a' Chladaich, the house of the shore/beach, was the former name of a hotel in North Uist, later known as the Westford Inn. but some people associate the song with Islay instead of with Uist.