"Bràigh Loch Iall"

Recording by Ishbel MacAskill
Album: Sìoda (1994)

This song tells of the longing of an individual, seemingly long absent, to return to the braes of Lochiel (the banks of Loch Eil) in Lochaber, where he could enjoy the pleasure of the chase in perfection. The circumstances of the times banished so many from their native country, that it is difficult to trace the allusion


O thèid 's gun tèid
O thèid mi thairis
Gu innis nam bò
Far an b' eòl dhomh 'n ainnir

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Gu Bràighe Loch Iall
Far 'm bi fiadh 'san langan
Is earbag nan stùc
Gu lùthmhor eangarr'

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

A bhean an fhuilt rèidh
Thug mi fhèin dhuit mo ghealladh
Mo ghealladh ad dhéidh
Ged b'fheudar bhith dealaicht'

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Gur math thig brèid bàn
Air a chàradh ort beannach
Mu aghaidh gun sgraing
Nan gormshùilean meallach

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Is staidhse dhan t-sìoda
Mhìn gad theannachadh
Is aparan ùr
À bùth a' cheannaich'

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Gur minig a bha sinn
An àirigh ghleannaich
Am bothan beag dlùth
Gun dùnadh ach barraich

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Làmh thogail an àil
Bha tlàths riut ceangailt'
'N àm gabhail mu thàmh
Cha do chnàmh ar teallach

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Mo làmh fod cheann
'S do làmh gheal tharam
Mo thaobh rid thaobh
'S sinn maoth-chridheach, tairis

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò



"Braes Of Locheil"

Oh I'll go, I shall go
Oh I shall go over
To the cattle grazings
To the girl I once knew

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

To the Brae of Loch Eil
Where the bellowing deer are
And the little roe of the peaks
That is so strong and nimble

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Oh woman of the fine hair
I gave you my promise
My promise goes with you
Although we must be parted

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

A white head-dress becomes you well
Arranged on you in a point
Framing the smooth-skinned face
Of the blue, beguiling eyes

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

And stays of fine silk
Drawn tight around you
And a new apron
From the merchant's shop

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Often were we
In a shieling in the glen
In a snug little bothy
With only brush-wood for a door

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

Adroit at rearing calves
Gentleness was second nature to you
When it was time to go to bed
Our fire never dwindled

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò

My hand beneath your head
And your white arm around me
My side against your side
Both of us tender-hearted and loving

Hill ò bha hò
'S na hao ri ri ri o hi
Hoireann òg ù ho i o bha hò