Tha mi Duilich, Cianail, Duilich is written from the point of view of a soldier seeing the remains of his comrades around him.
most of the verses of the long poem are presented here
sung by Linn Phipps with piping by Ashley MacDonald
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPbtDwyFZiU
Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna (Red Donald of Coruna) – Donald MacDonald (1887-1967)
Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna (Red Donald of Coruna) – Donald MacDonald (1887-1967) came from the township of Corùna in North Uist. in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. His maternal great-grandparents met at the Battle of Corunna 1809 – part of the Napoleanic Peninsular War. As a storyteller of that War, his great-grandfather acquired the nickname Corùna – which in typical Gaelic tradition was then passed on through the family.
Dòmhnall Ruadh joined the Cameron Highlanders at the age of 17 to fight in the First World War. He survived terrible battles of the War such as the Somme, where he was wounded, and became one of the greatest poets of the War. Ronald Black calls him “The Voice of the Trenches”. His book of songs and poetry, “Orain is Dain Le Domhnall Domhnallach a Uibhist a Tuath”, (1995) edited by Fred Macauley is now out of print. The song verses and opening image of Do`mhnall Ruadh are used in this production by kind permission of CEUT, Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
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THA MI DUILICH, CIAN, DUILICH - Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna
Tha mi duilich, cianail, duilich,
Tha mi duilich, ’s cianail tha mi
Bhon a chunna mi le m’ shùilean
Sealladh tùrsach mo chuid bhràithrean.
Gillean Gàidhealtachd na h-Alba,
Feadhainn tha marbh is nan clàraibh
Anns an fhàsaich ’s iad nan sìneadh,
An neart ’s an clì air am fàgail.
A luchd nan èilidhean tartain,
A luchd nan gartannan sgàrlaid,
’S duilich leam nach fhaod sibh dùsgadh,
Sibhse, luchd nan glùinean àlainn.
Tha mo chridhe brùite cianail,
Tha mo shùil on deur air tràghadh,
’S nach aithnich mi sibh air ur n-ìomhaigh
Bhon a riaghladh leis a’ bhàs sibh.
Tha ‘r leapannan fliuch ’s gur fuar iad,
’S cruaidh ur cluasagan gun chàradh,
Le uisge tàmh air an uachdar –
’S duilich leam an uair a thàrr sibh.
’S trom an cadal th’ air na fiùrain
Chuireadh ormsa sunndach fàilte,
Lem bu mhiann a bhith nam chòmhradh
Cur mun cuairt nan òran Gàidhlig.
Chì mi roinn eile mun cuairt dhiubh,
Crois air a cur suas aig pàirt dhuibh,
Ainm an laoich ’n siud oirre sgrìobhte
Dhèanadh innse dhuinn gun d’ fhàg e.
Chì mi brògan agus aodach,
Chì mi aodainn agus làmhan
Nochdte an talamh na Frainge
Far ’n do chaill mi mo chuid bhràithrean.
Siud far am bi ’n latha brònach –
Na faicibh neònach dhòmhs’ a ràidhtinn:
Nuair a thilleas na bhios beò,
’S e ’n roinn ro mhòr bhios air am fàgail.
Ach nuair thèid an t-sìth a dhùnadh,
Gunnaichean gach aon dhiubh sàmhach,
Teine dealaichte bhon fhùdar,
Nàimhdean cùl ri cùl a’ màirdseadh –
Facal dhuibh gur anns an uair ud
Thèid an t-saighead chruaidh sa mhàthair,
Anns an athair, anns a’ ghruagaich
Dh’fhàgadh san uair seo gun bhràthair.
Siud nuair bhios an cridhe cianail,
Siud nuair thèid an sgian a shàth’dh ann,
Siud nuair ghealaicheas an ciabhag –
’S ann le deuchainn a’ bhlàir seo.
Ach misneachd do gach fear is tè dhibh,
Is leughaibh gu lèir na h-àithntean
’S seallaibh Ris-san a rinn èirigh
Ged a cheusadh E le nàmhaid.
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PARTIAL TRANSLATION
I am sorry, anguished, sorry,
I am sorry and so anguished
Since I saw with my eyes
The sad sight of my brothers
2 The boys of the Scottish Highlands
Some who are dead and blown to pieces
Prostrate in the wilderness
Their energy & strength having left them
6 (
Tha mo chridhe brùite cianail,)
Deep is the sleep of the warriors
Who’d greet me with cheerful welcome,
Who loved to converse with me
And take turns at Gaelic songs.
7 I see others around them
Some with a cross erected
The hero’s name inscribed upon it
To tell us he’s departed.
8 I see boots, I see clothes
I see faces and hands
Showing in the soil of France
Where I lost my brothers.
... ...
17 As long as I’m to be found
Remaining in this world
In my living heart and eyes will be
The sad spectacle of my brothers.
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sj