Lyr Add: Nach Fhreagair Thu, Cairistiona

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Nach Fhreagair Thu, Cairistiona
From: RunrigFan
Date: 29 Nov 22 - 08:39 PM

https://womenspoetry.aber.ac.uk/en/scottishgaelicpoems/nach-fhreagair-thu/

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Nach Fhreagair Thu, Cairistiona
From: RunrigFan
Date: 29 Nov 22 - 08:39 PM

È hó hì ura bhì.
Ho ro ho ì, ó ho ro ho,
È hó hì ura bhì.

Won't you answer, Cairistiona?
          È hó, etc.
Won’t you answer, faithful pup?
I’d hear you, if you did.
            È hó, etc.

A year I spent with you in the King's court,
Though it seemed like spending three   
Sewing silk and linen
And adorning beautiful shirts.

Change

I travelled to Glencoe,
The waves were high and the narrows deep
I took a leap, but judged it poorly
So that I leapt into the water.
They told me I wouldn’t achieve my end,

And wouldn't find my wet-nurse,
Sensible mind, prudent mouth,
You could write, and read the Bible;
Noblemen would often visit
And would do pleasing business.

Change

There's many a ship, barque and birlinn
And fleet at the mouth of Caol Ìle,
Come in search of Cairistiona;
Not to wed you to a king’s son,
But to put you deep in the ground,
Under heavy, sodden stones.

Change

It's the dark-haired young man
Who’s most saddened tonight;
Your sweetheart closed up in the dark
In a box of deal planks,
After joiners blackened them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Nach Fhreagair Thu, Cairistiona
From: RunrigFan
Date: 29 Nov 22 - 08:38 PM

Nach fhreagair thu, Chairistiòna? [i]

È hó hì ura bhì
Ho ro ho ì, ó ho ro ho,
È hó hì ura bhì.

Nach fhreagar thu, Chairistiona?
          È hó, etc.
[Nach fhreagair thu, chuilein dhìlis?]
Nam freagradh, gun cluinninn fhìn thu,
            È hó, etc.

Bha mi bliadhna 'n cùirt an rìgh leat [ii
'S ged chanainn e, bha mi an trì ann –
Fuaigheal anairt, a’ gearradh shìoda,
'S a' cur grainn'[iii] air léinidh rìomhaich

Atharraich

Thug mi turas do Ghleann Comhann,
'S bha 'm muir àrd 's an caolas domhain[n]
Gheàrr mi leum 's cha d’rinn mi thomhas
Gun leum na h-uiseagan romham
'S thuirt iad rium nach dèanainn gnothach,

Nach fhaighinn mo mhuime romham,
Ceann na cèille, beul na comhairl’,
Sgrìobhadh 's a leughadh an leabhar;
Bhìodh na h-uaislean ort a’ tadhal
Cha b’ ann gu mealladh an gnothaich.

Atharraich

'S iomadh long is bàrc is birlinn
Is luingeas a tha 'm beul Chaol Ìle
Tighinn a dh’ iarraidh Cairistìona;
Chan ann gu pòsadh mhic rìgh leat,
Gus do chur 'san talamh ìseal,
Fo leaca troma na dìleann.

Atharraich

Fhleasgaich oig na gruaige duibhe,
'S ann an nochd as mòr do mhulad;
Do leannan a-staigh fo dhubhar
An ciste nam bòrd air a cumadh,
An dèidh na saoir a bhith 'ga dubhadh.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Nach Fhreagair Thu, Cairistiona
From: RunrigFan
Date: 10 Feb 21 - 08:36 PM

Other recordings

Maggie MacInnes - 1984 - Cairistiona re-recorded for Peacful Ground - 2004

Griogair Labhruidh ?– 2007 - Dail-riata

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Nach Fhreagair Thu, Cairistiona
From: RunrigFan
Date: 10 Feb 21 - 08:21 PM

If you were to answer, I'd surely hear you
I went to the king's court with you this year
I've been there this last three with you
Coming to fetch Caristiona
But not for a prince's wedding, alas
But to place you in a deep grave

As recorded by Tannas

Subject: Lyr Add: Nach Fhreagair Thu, Cairistiona
From: RunrigFan
Date: 10 Feb 21 - 08:19 PM

Nach freagair thu Chairistiona        

Sèist:        Chorus (after each verse):
E hó hí ura bhí        E hó hí ura bhí
Ho ro ho i o ho ro ho        Ho ro ho i o ho ro ho
E hó hí ura bhí        E hó hí ura bhí

Nam freagradh gun chluinninn fhìn thu

(Repeat Chorus)

Bha mi 'm bliadhna an Cùirt an Rìgh leat        

'S ged chanainn e, bha mi an trì ann        


Tighinn a dh 'iarraidh Chairistiona

Chan ann gu pòsadh Mhic Rìgh leat

Gus do chuir 'san talamh ìseal