The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #169993   Message #4110128
Posted By: Felipa
14-Jun-21 - 10:37 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Oran Uibhist
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Oran Uibhist
a song in praise of the isle of [South] Uist

translation is given at http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/macinnes/oranuibhist.htm
The song is by Donald Allan MacDonald aka Dòmhnall Ailean Dòmhnallach (1906-92)

translation of Óran Uibhist (song of Uist)

Oh I would be very sad indeed
If I expected to go away from you
Uist of the high hills
Because I love you
I was reared there as a very young infant
Before reaching the use of reason
I delight in your beaches
And the roar of the Atlantic
        
And when I go to the machair
On a calm summer's evening
With flowers so fragrant
Closed under the dew
When I look at Loch Hallan
With trout rising close to the shore
The white swan was plentiful there
With its brood swimming close behind
        
And when I go up to Hallan Hill
And look around me
I think of friends and relations
Some of whom are decaying in the grave
When I would sit on the wall
My thoughts would be on the world
And how people are being taken away from us
        
And I will give the highest praise to Daliburgh
And to all who live there, young and old
Although there are many places in the world
Where I could live
There I often herded cattle
On the banks of the pools
While the little calves were tethered
Leaping about at the ends of the ropes
        
But I will end this song
And my vain chatter
Since I am still young
I ought not to be depressed
And even if I live to such an age that I become gray-headed
Or even lose my hair
I shall never allow myself to forget
Sunny Uist of the green glens