Maighdeannan na h-Àirigh
(facail: Coinneach MacLeòid)

Thug mi 'n oidhche a-raoir 's mi bruadar
Mar ri nìonagan na buaile;
B'fhìnealt' uasal mìn na gruaigaich
Seinn nan duanag anns an àirigh.

(seist)
Thug mi 'n oidhche a-raoir san àirigh
Thug mi 'n oidhche a-raoir san àirigh
Chaith mi 'n-oidhche cridheil coibhneil
Mar ri maighdeannan na h-àirigh

Thug mi 'n oidhche a-raoir san àirigh
'S crodh a' sileadh bainne tàlaidh
'S dealt na h-oidhche sileadh coibhneis
Air na maighdeannan san àirigh.

'S cianail dùsgadh an fhir-fhuadain
'S e sìor-ionndrainn tìr a' bhruadair;
'S tiamhaidh buan da thar nan stuaghan
Ceòl nan gruagach anns an àirigh.

THE SHIELING MAIDS
(translation by Peadar Morgan from the Gaelic of Coinneach MacLeòid)

I spent last night in my dreams
In the company of the lassies of the cattle-fold;
Fine, noble and delicate were the damsels
Singing the ditties at the shieling

(chorus)
I spent last night at the shieling
I spent last night at the shieling
I passed the night hearty and friendly
In the company of the shieling maids

I spent last night at the shieling
When cattle were producing enticing milk
And the night-time dew was dripping kindness
On the shieling maids.

The exile's waking is sad
When he aye longs for the land of dreams;
Melancholic, eternal for him over the waves
(is) the music of the damsels at the sheiling.

from "Karoake Ceilidh", Comann an Luchd-Ionnsachaidh (CLI)

same air as the song with the line "On the hillside, by the sheiling, Mo Mhairi, my beloved" (according to my memory of the latter). also if anyone knows Bruce from Bathurst, he was looking at Mudcat for that song as recorded by K MacKellar back in 1999