From Griogair Labhruidh and Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhride
Guaillibh a Chéile

This song is traditionally sung as a walking song and it was recorded from a few people in the outer isles that style. Despite this, the song’s theme is that of a lament and and it was recorded in this slower more medatitive idiom by both Cathy Ann MacPhee and Mary Smith. In the song a woman laments the death of her lover; Seathan, ‘son of the king of Ireland’, a man who was, according to aural tradition, a kind of rogue. In this story Seathan has been killed by an old hag who despised him called ‘the three horned hag’. The song belongs to a genre of Gaelic folklore called The Cycles of the Kings which differs from the Fenian tales. This version of the song is based on two that were collected in the 19th century in both the Island of Barra and in Morvern (North Argyll) by the prolific folklorist, Alexander Carmicheal.


A’ Sheathain, a’ Sheathain nan anam,

Hù rù na hur i bhi ò

Dhearbh Mhic mo Rìgh à Tìr Chonaill,

Na bhi hao bhò hao bhi ò an


s tric a laigh mi fo t’ earradh; (reapeat chorus)

Ma laigh, cha b’ ann aig a’ bhaile, (reapeat chorus)

Ach lagan uain an cluain a’ bharraich (reapeat chorus)

Fo leth-thaobh nan gorm-bheann corrach, (reapeat chorus)

Gaoth nan Gleann le gaoir a’ gabhail. (reapeat chorus)

Tula-làn dhen nodhas earraich. (reapeat chorus)

’S iomadh gleann is meall a shiubhail sinn, (reapeat chorus)

Bha mi ’n Ìle ’s bha mi ’m Muile leat, (reapeat chorus)

Bha mi ’n tìr nan cailleachan dubha leat, (reapeat chorus)

Bha mi ’n Èirinn bha mi ’n Liutha leat. (reapeat chorus)

Thaisteal mi ’Bhreathann ’s a’ Bhruthann leat, (reapeat chorus)

Thaisteal mi ’Mhòrthìr ’s a’ Mhuthairn leat, (reapeat chorus)

Thaisteal mi ’Bhoinn, thaisteal mi ’Mhumha leat, (reapeat chorus)

Dh’èist mi aifreann ’s a Chìll Chumha leat, (reapeat chorus)

Dh’èist mi ceòl na sìth-bhrugha leat, (reapeat chorus)

Dh’òl mi deoch à tobar an t-siubhail leat. (reapeat chorus)

A’ Sheathain duinn, a shaoì na mine, (reapeat chorus)

’S beag an t-àit an curinn fhìn thu, (reapeat chorus)

Eadar Brìghde ’s a brèid mìn thu, (reapeat chorus)

Eadar òigh ghil ’s a brat sìod’ thu. (reapeat chorus)

Ach tha Seathan san t-seòmar uaigneach, (reapeat chorus)

Gun òl cupa, gun òl cuaiche, (reapeat chorus)

Gun òl ceòil gun phòg bean buairidh, (reapeat chorus)

Gun cheòl cruite gun cheòl cluaise, (reapeat chorus)

Ceanglaichean teann air a ghualainn (reapeat chorus)

Ceanglaichean dul air na fuaintean. (reapeat chorus)

Piuthar dh’Aoidh ’s a Bhrian bhuidhe mi, (reapeat chorus)

Bana-charaid do Fhionn MacCumhail mi, (reapeat chorus)

Cèile Sheathan donn an t-siubhail mi (reapeat chorus)

Bean bhochd chianail thiamhaidh dhubhach mi. (reapeat chorus)