Lyr Add: Slan le Fionnairaigh /Farewell to Fiunary

Subject: Lyr Add: SORAIDH SLAN LE FIONNAIRIGH
From: GUEST,PHILIPPA
Date: 05 Nov 00 - 12:45 PM

This song was mentioned recently in a thread about Scottish songs of emigration. And then it appeared in print in "Cothrom" #25, quarterly journal of the Gaelic learners' association Comann an Luchd Ionnsachaidh

SORAIDH SLAN LE FIONNAIRIGH

sèist:
Èirich agus tiugainn, ò
Èirich agus tiugainn, ò
Èirich agus tiugainn, ò
Mo shoraidh slàn le Fionnairigh

Tha an latha math, is an soirbheas ciùin
Tha an ùin' 'na ruith, is an t-àm dhuinn dlùth
Tha am bàt' gam fheitheamh fo siùil
Gu m' thoirt a-nall o Fionnairigh

Tha ionadh mìle ceangal blàth
Mar shaighdean annam fèin an sàs
Mo chridhe an impis a bhith sgàint'
A chionn bhith fàgail Fhonnairigh

Bu tric a ghabh mi sgrìobh leam fhèin
Mun cuairt air lùchairt Fhinn an treun
'S a dh'èist mi sgeulachdan na Fèinn'
Gan cur an cèill am Fionnairigh

Am feum mi siubhal uat gun dàil?
Na siùil tha togte ris a' bhàt' -
Soraidh slàn le tìr mo ghràidh
Is slàn gu bràth le Fionnairigh

FAREWELL, FAREWELL TO FIUNARY

chorus:
Rise and follow, oh
Rise and follow, oh
Rise and follow, oh
My fond farewell to Fiunary

The day is fine and the sea is calm
Time is passing and our time is close
the boat waits for me, her sails aloft
To take me over to Fiunary

Many thousands emotional ties
Are like arrows peircing me
My heart is almost bursting
Because I'm leaving Fiunary

Oft I would take a walk alone
About the palace of brave Fingal
And I heard tales of the Fingalians
given meaning in Fiunary

Must I leave you without delay?
The sails are hoisted on the boat
Farewell to the land I love
And farewell forever to Fiunary.

---

--- Link fixed. ---
-- PA --

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 05 Nov 00 - 12:50 PM

an English language version is in the Database with the unfortunate spelling Funery

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: IanC
Date: 12 Jul 02 - 11:11 AM

I just thought I'd add that Fiunary is near Lochaline in Scotland - on the Scottish mainland, just across the Sound of Mull from Mull.

A beautiful tune.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: Alice
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 01:08 PM

Has anyone added the correction of spelling (Fiunary) for future DT?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: Alice
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 01:49 PM

Can someone post the tune and also give correct pronunciation for "Fiunary"? Note the current DT spelling mistakes - fare should be fair, "tender tides" should be "tender ties", "my hear" should be "my heart" and "I musty" should be "I must".

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: Alice
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 02:03 PM

Another note on awkward wording of the DT version, "flapping sails" in other lyrics copies I have seen as "see how they fill, the spreading sails".

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: Alice
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 02:32 PM

Lyrics as the Tannahill Weavers recorded it at www.tannahillweavers.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: Alice
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 11:42 PM

This web site CLICK HERE credits "Farewell To Fiunary" to..." Dr Norman the elder who wrote "Fiunary,"--and not, as commonly stated, the late Dr Norman. His "Farewell to Fiunary" is probably the most universally-known modern poem in the West Highlands. (For critical remarks as to the authenticity of this poem, see Dr Nigel M'Neil's Literature of the Highlanders, pp. 283-286.)" -end quote from Lyra Celtica Notes

Philippa, I tried to find the article you linked to in your November 2000 message, but it is not on the site. Did it mention an author?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: Alice
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 08:01 PM

Link to html page of a PDF file called Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh Note the spelling is "Fionnairigh" ("righ" on the end, not "raigh").

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From:
Date: 28 Sep 02 - 08:13 AM

It's also found in three Gaelic Song Books

Soraidh Slan Le Fionn-Airidh

Found on

Page 14 Minstrelsy of the Scottish Highlands

Page 42 Tog Fonn Volume 1

Page 48 Gesto Collection

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: ciarili
Date: 28 Sep 02 - 02:30 PM

That gives a whole new meaning to the place-name when you see it spelt like that!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRIGH
From: GUEST,learner
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 05:09 AM

actually, the name is spelled correctly in the lyrics in the first message, albeit not in the thread title.
according to MacLennan's Gaelic dictionary, "áirigh" is a shieling or sheep pasture and "airidh" means worthy, meretorious. Fionn is fair-coloured. There is also a word "fionnairidh" in the dictionary meaning either watching or evening (I think because another meaning of fionn is cool and aire can mean to keep watch).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRIGH
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 07:01 AM

Thanks Alice for the link to "Litir gu Luchd-Ionnsachaidh" by Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Ruairidh writes that Rev Dr Tormod MacLeòid (1783 to 1862), who was born in Fionnairigh, wrote the lyrics in English as "Slán le Fiunary", although they are now better known in the Gaelic translation by Gilleasbaig Mac na Ceàrdaich (Archibald Sinclair). Mac Leòid was himself a Gaelic speaker and scholar and founder of Gaelic-language publications. He also produced, in collaboration with an Irishman, a book of psalms in Irish Gaelic for the Church of Ireland, and he did much to raise awareness of the plight of poor people of the Highlands.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRIGH / Fionnairidh
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 06:41 PM

I found I have a photocopy, from an unidentified song-book, which includes three more verses in between the third and last verse that were published in "Cothrom". So now there is a real challenge to find the complete original English-language version!

Bu tric a sheall mi feasgar Màirt
Far am biodh Oisean 'seinn a dhàin;
A' coimhead grè aig ioma tràth
'Dol seach gach là 's mi 'm Fionnairigh

Beannachd le beanntaibh mo ghaoil
Far am faigh mi 'm fiadh le ' laogh, -
Gu ma fad' an coileach-fraoich
A' glaodhaich ann am Fionnairigh.

Ach cha 'n iad glinn 'us beanntan àrd'
A lot mo chrìdh' 's a rinn mo chràdh
Ach an-diugh na tha fo phràmh
An teach mo ghràidh am Fionnairigh

Beannachd le athair mo ghràidh;
Bidh mi ' cuimhneach ort gu bràth;
Ghuidhinn sonas agus àgh
Do'n t-sean fhear bhàn am Fionnairigh.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 07:46 AM

Ruairidh MacIlleathain, and another source I've seen, credits the son, not the father (see Alice's note of 20 Sept re Lyrica Celtica. I don't know who is correct./ do we not need to put in the line breaks ourselves anymore?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: MMario
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 08:17 AM

Philippa - line breaks are now optional depending on whether or not you have the box (see bottom of page - right side) for Automatic Linebreaks checked.

Subject: Tune Add: SORAIDH SLAN LE FIONNAIRIDH
From: MMario
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 08:43 AM

X:1
T:SORAIDH SLAN LE FIONNAIRIDH
N:gif of music sent from Philippa
I:abc2nwc
M:2/4
L:1/16
K:A
z6A2|A3 A e2 c2|B3 A G3 B|c3 F F2 G2|
w:Tha'n lath-a math, san soir-bheas ciun; tha'n uin-e 'ruith, 's~an
F3 E E2 E2|F3 F A3 A|B3 B e3 e|
w:t~am dhuinn dluth, tha'm bat 'gam fheith eamh fo a suil, g'um
f3 f e2 c2|B3 A A2 z2|
w:thoirt a null o fionn-air-idh
A3 A e3 c|B3 A G4|c3 F F3 G|
w:Ei-rich ag-us tiug-ainn o, Ei-rich ag-us
F3 E E4|F3 F A3 A|B3 c e3 e|
w:tiug-ainn o, Ei-rich ag-us tiug-ainn o, mo
f3 f e2 c2|B3 A A4
w:shor-aidh slan le fionn-air-idh

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: MMario
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 10:16 PM

midi is now available on the mudcat midi site

Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWELL TO FIUNARY
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 14 Oct 02 - 11:53 AM

mòran taing, a Mhairió.
The Kist o'Deil and Tannahill Weavers recordings do appear to be based on Dr Norman MacLeod's original. The link and quotation Alice gave us on 20 Sept. are notes from a book "Lyra Celtica - An Anthology of Representative Celtic Poetry", edited by Elizabeth A Sharp with into. and notes by William Sharp, published "MDCCCXCVI" in Edinburgh by Patrick Geddes and Colleagues.

The lyrics given in the book are as follows (complete with spelling errors]

FAREWELL TO FIUNARY

The wind is fair, the day is fine,
And swiftly, swiftly runs the time,
The boat is floating on the tide
That wafts me off from Fiunary.

Eirigh agus tingainn O! [sic 'tiugainn' ]
Eirigh agus tingainn O!
Erigh [sic] agus tingainn O!
Farewell, farewell to fiunary!

A thousand, thousand tender ties
Awake this day my plaintive sighs,
My heart within me almost dies
To think of leaving Fiunary.

Eirigh agus tingainn [tiugainn] O! etc

With pensive steps I often strolled
Where Fingal's castle stood of old,
And listened while the shepherd told
The legend tales of Fiunary.

Eirigh agus tingainn [tiugainn] O! etc

I'll often pause at close of day
Where Ossian sang his martial lay,
And viewed the sun's departing ray
Wandering o'er Dun Fiunary.

Eirigh agus tingainn [tiugainn] O! etc

I'm still left wondering about the 4 other verses in Gaelic and whether there are also 4 more original English verses.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 06:31 AM

I think "MDCCCXCVI" is 1896, but my Roman numerals are rusty (must find web info!) and 5 other people I asked couldn't tell me!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: Alice
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 11:31 AM

1896 is MDCCCXCVI (I cheated and used an online numeral converter)
http://home.hiwaay.net/~lkseitz/math/roman/

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From:
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 12:06 AM

I heard the Farewell to Fiunary during Celtic Colours. Very nice.

Now, I have to work on the Gaelic one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: Felipa
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 01:40 PM

There's a recording with verses in English and in Gaelic song by Rob Kennedy and Karen Mathieson (singer with Capercaillie). I heard it last night on "Folk Club" presented by Tony McAuley on BBC Radio Ulster (Northern Ireland) -- may be available on line at BBC website

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: SLAN LE FIONNAIRAIGH
From: GUEST,Sir Maxwell MacLeod of Fuinary, Bt
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 06:51 PM

Forgive my pomposity in using my inherited title, but given that the subject of this discussion is Fuinary I thought it justifiable, and even fun.

AS to the spelling this is the variation we use as a family and endorsed by the Lord Lyon. (Jings two instances of pomposity in four lines, how you must hate me already!)

My family tradition is that the song was first penned in English by my forebear Carid Nan Ghael (the friend of the Highlander)as a Sunday afternoon task set in a big house somewhere in Kintyre.

An amusing aside is perhaps that this self same man was recently assumed to have performed a marriage ceremony between Queen Victoria and John Brown. Certainly if she was going to marry Brown it is likely that she would have chosen Norman, but any other assumption would be largely conjecture.

The core of the sentiment concerns the sad reality that over half of Morvern left the peninsula during the clearances, some through force others through economic migrancy (See Morvern Transformed -Gaskill)and of these many would have left from the pier at Fuinary- still standing.

I am no historian, but I am a part-time journalist and perhaps the most pertinent factor is that of the two thousand people who lived in Morvern at that time, mid eighteen sixties there are now less than a dozen who can claim to be descended from that community, and of those few can find houses in the area.

My point is that the song is still a call to arms, change must happen in our Highland areas if the few Gaels left are to survive.

We live in the last few years of a Culture that has lasted a thousand years. Be moved by Toromod's song and dont hide modestly, act.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Slan le Fionnairaigh /Farewell to Fiunary
From: GUEST
Date: 18 May 16 - 06:37 AM

Anyone got the chords for farewell to fuinary ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Slan le Fionnairaigh /Farewell to Fiunary
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 18 May 16 - 07:49 AM

FFS read the thread.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Slan le Fionnairaigh /Farewell to Fiunary
From: leeneia
Date: 19 May 16 - 11:53 AM

Hi, Guest. Pay no attention to Dave.

I'm awful busy. So here's what you can do.

1. Go up to MMario's post of Oct 4, 2002.

2. Copy the ABC file there.

3. Go to the ABC converter:

http://mandolintab.net/abcconverter.php

4. Scroll down, paste the file (Ctrl V) and click submit. Sheet music should appear. Print it.

5. Take the sheet music to a musician friend and work out what key and what chords will work for you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Slan le Fionnairaigh /Farewell to Fiunary
From: MikeShegog
Date: 06 Aug 17 - 10:09 PM

Can anyone enlighten please:

From Sir Maxwell MacLeod of Fuinary's 2007 post
I've a better understanding the general sentiment, many thanks.

Of the many versions, one has
"Where Ossian sang his martial lay"
Have found articles on 'Ossian', but what is the line saying ?

Also, Google insists Fiunary's location is a single house
a short drive from the village of Lochaline (itself tiny).
Where is (or was) it ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Slan le Fionnairaigh /Farewell to Fiunary
From: leeneia
Date: 07 Aug 17 - 03:22 PM

Hi, Mike. The line means "where Ossian sang his military song."

"Lay" is a poetical word for a ballad or old song.