Lyr Req: Island Shieling Song

Subject: Lyrics for 'Island Shieling Song'
From: Bruce from Bathurst
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 04:56 AM

Does anyone have the lyrics for a lovely old song, maybe of Kenneth MacKellar vintage, which is probably called The Island Shieling Song? The melody is there, but the words have long since departed. Thanks, Bruce

Subject: RE: Lyrics for 'Island Shieling Song'
From: Philippa
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 06:16 AM

It might well be in the Marjorie Kennedy-Fraser collections; I haven't looked yet.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for 'Island Shieling Song'
From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 07:09 PM

The tune is also found in the Isle of Man, collected by Mona Douglas from (I think) Robert Kerruish of Maughold as a version of a milking song.

Off the top of my head, I only have the Manx Gaelic version, but I could probably look up the English version somewhere, though this takes it out of the Scottish context of the Island Shieling Song.

Let me know if it's of any interest.

Shoh slaynt,

Bobby Bob

Subject: RE: Lyrics for 'Island Shieling Song'
From:
Date: 24 Apr 99 - 07:11 AM

Bob, please do. It'd be nice to see that.

I've looked in my Volume 2 and 3 of the Kennedy-Fraser, Songs of the Hebrides. If it is in the first volume, I'll have to find it. Title seems familiar so it might be.

Subject: Lyr Add: MILKING SONG (ARRANE Y VLIEAUN)
From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 24 Apr 99 - 02:22 PM

Collected by Mona Douglas, from Cathy Quayle of The Whallag.
This is from Mona's manuscript -

Milking Song (Arrane y Vlieaun)

Let a blessing be upon thee
If you give me milk a-plenty
Give thy milk now quick and easy
Then the calf shall come to suck thee
Little dark one, sweet the grazing
In the meadow by the river
Give thy milk now, and my blessing
Be upon thee, little cow.

The other version in Manx Gaelic is to a different, though related,
tune, and would fit to the Island Shieling Song.

Collected by Mona Douglas from Mrs Faragher, Kerrowglass -

Arrane y Vlieaun

1. Cur dty vainney, cur dty vainney
Choud's mish ta goaill arrane
Lhig da'n churn nish goll harrish
Lesh dty vainney, my vooa veen.

Chorus: Bannaght Jee nish cur orts nish
Ayr as Mac as Spyrryd Noo
As Moirrey Bannit bishee dty vainney
My vooa veen

2. Mie dty vainney, mie dty vainney
Lesh kay son yn eeym
Jean dty chooidshare dy chur dou palchey
As yiow uss tooilley oarn

which could translate as -

1. Give your milk whilst 'tis I that sings. Let the pail now go
over with your milk, my dear cow.

Chorus: The blessing of God now put on you now, Father and Son
and Holy Spirit, and Blessed Mary increase your milk, my dear cow.

2. Good your milk, with cream for the butter. Do your best to give
me plenty, and you'll get more barley.

Hope that's of some interest, if not quite what you're looking for.

Shoh slaynt,

Bobby Bob

Subject: RE: Lyrics for 'Island Shieling Song'
From: Bruce from Bathurst
Date: 29 Apr 99 - 01:34 AM

More power to your elbows, one and all! I posted my request for lyrics, then promptly left town for a few days, hence this delayed vote of thanks for your efforts. A Manx version would be a wonder to behold, Bob, but I'm afraid my pronunciation would mean I might just as well be singing the Bathurst telephone book backwards. Bruce

Subject: RE: Lyrics for 'Island Shieling Song'
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 01 - 04:48 PM

see 2001 thread with lyrics
Is Bruce from Bathurst still looking?

Subject: RE: Lyrics for 'Island Shieling Song'
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 25 May 01 - 11:46 PM

Bruce, see the McKellar version on the thread Lyr. Mo Mary.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for 'Island Shieling Song'
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 25 May 01 - 11:54 PM

A Kenneth McKellar album, 1955-77- The Decca Years, has An Island Shieling Song plus 49 others on 2 cds. Amazon offers it for $24 stateside as an import.

Subject: Island Shieling Song
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 01:39 PM

lyrics and info at Mo Mary thread (same mentioned on 25 May)