Tune Req: Nighean Donn a' Chuailean Riomhaich

Subject: Nighean Donn a' Chuailean Riomhaich
From: GUEST,nancy
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 07:33 PM

Hi Folks,

Just learned this tune off an Alasdair Fraser CD, Skyedance, absolutely beautiful tune. I have a friend who is looking for the musical notation. I've had no luck and learned it by ear! Any suggestions?

Also, would love to learn the orgins of this tune. Alasdair says he learned it from a Gaelic folk group Na h-Oganaich (Young Blood), anyone have more info on it?

Thanks, Nancy

Subject: RE: Nighean Donn a' Chuailean Riomhaich
From:
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 08:24 PM

http://www.culburnie.com/albums/AlasdairFraser/skyedanc.htm

Subject: RE: Nighean Donn a' Chuailean Riomhaich
From: Brían
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 08:48 PM

Gee, George, you're good.

Brían

Subject: RE: Nighean Donn a' Chuailean Riomhaich
From:
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 09:08 PM

I know people who have the na h-Oganaich recording.

Subject: Lyr Add: NIGHEAN DONN A' CHUAILEIN RÌOMHAICH
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 12:46 PM

The tune as played by Alastair Fraser and Na h-Oganaich is a slowed-down and more loosely-phrased version of the following:

NIGHEAN DONN A' CHUAILEIN RÌOMHAICH (Words and music traditional) 'S ann a' fuireach thall 's na cluaintean Tha'n nigh' bhàn a rinn mo bhuaireadh, Mach o fhìor-fhuil ghlàin gun truailleadh, Sìol nam buadh 's na lannaireachd. Nighean donn a'chuailein rìomhaich, B'àluinn, uasal buaidh do shìnnsir; Nighean donn a'chuailein rìomhaich, Ghràdhaich mi do leannanachd. An tigh-an-eas a thogadh òg thu Fo sgàil taighe Taobh-a'-chrònain, Far am biodh na féidh air lòintean, 'S loin ri ceòl air mheangain duit. Nighean donn, &c. An àm do 'n bharrach a bhi brùchdadh, Bhiodh na smeòraichean a' dùsgadh Air bhàrr gheugan a sheinn ciùil 'S a thogail cliù mo leannain-sa. Nighean donn, &c. Basan mìne, caoine, tlàtha, Meòir chaol, fhada dh' iom'readh snàtha: C' àit' am facas riamh thug bàrr ort 'Tarruing snàth'd troimh anairtean. Nighean donn, &c. Tha do chridhe mar an daoimean Air là gréine, 's e ri soillse; 'S e gun ghoimh, gun ghìomh, gun ghaoid ann: S mòr do loinn, 's cha 'n ainneamh e. Nighean donn, &c. Thug mi cion, 's cha' n fhaod mi ààicheadh, Do nigh'n duinn a' chuailein àliuinn; 'S mòr gu' m b' fheàrr bhi suidhe làmh rith' Na fìon Spàinnd is caineal ann. Nighean donn, &c.

LASSIE WI' THE GOWDEN HAIR (English lyric by Malcolm MacFarlane) Owre ayont yon heath'ry knowes, A limpid wimpling burnie rows; And there beneath the birken boughs, I learned lang syne to lo'e ye. Lassie wi' the gowden hair, O' gentle kin and beauty rare, O, lassie wi' the gowden hair, In sooth I dearly lo'e ye. Where the stream loups owre the linn, Below the ben that tow'rs abune, Where deers and roes in freedom rin, 'Twas there I vow'd to lo'e ye. Lassie, &c. When the simmer day comes roun', The sangbirds a' their voices tune And strive wi' ither wha can soun', The sweetest praises to ye. Lassie, &c. Sewing linen, silk, or lawn, Wi' needle in yer lily han', Where's the matron in the lan' That I would wad even to ye! Lassie, &c. Clear as sunshine is yer mind, Guid sense and beauty rare combined, Wi' heart that's ever leal and kind, Into love's meshes drew me. Lassie, &c. I canna tell, my bonnie doo, A tithe of a' my love so true, Or how I lang to hear frae you That ye as dearly lo'e me. Lassie, &c.

Both sets of lyrics are taken from Alfred Moffat's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Highlands.  Moffat gives no provenance for the song, beyond commenting, "Gaelic words old".  The English lyric is a singing version, not a precise translation.  A midi of the melody, made from the notation in Moffat's book, will go to  Mudcat Midis;  until then, it can be heard via the  South Riding Folk Network  site:

Nighean Donn a'Chuailein Rìomhaich

Software such as Cakewalk, MidiNotate or Noteworthy can extract staff notation from midi files, though Noteworthy will be unable to read the embedded lyrics.

Subject: RE: Nighean Donn a' Chuailean Riomhaich
From: priestess
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 01:22 PM

Thanks so much Malcolm.
I love this song and got impatient searching for the words so I've been singing some I made up---just to give myself something to sing to this beautiful melody.
Will try the "authentic" words you have provided.
Wishing you all the best for the New Year.