The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #170063   Message #4112233
Posted By: Felipa
03-Jul-21 - 07:05 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Air an Somme (Gaelic, WW1)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Air an Somme (Gaelic, WW1)
The English language and Irish language translations given previously do not include the final two verses of the poem (which Julie Fowlis doesn't sing in the recording).

Is cha chluinninn guth san àm
Aig commandair gar leigeil,
Bha na balaich ’s iad cho trang
Cumail thall na bha tighinn.

Bha gach fear a’ caogadh sùl,
’S e air cùlaibh a chruinneig,
A’ cur peileir glas a-null
Le uile dhùrachd a chridhe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

English language translation by Ian MacDonald
published at https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/air-somme/

At the time I could hear
No commander urging us on;
The boys were fully occupied
Repelling the attacks upon us.

Each man was cocking an eye
Behind his sweetheart,*
Sending over a grey bullet
With his utmost will.

*i.e., his gun