ARGH. I've had confuser problems lately. I came home from work a couple of days ago and turned on the monitor to behold the blue screen of death. Reboot. Splash screen. More bootup...almost there...desktop...blue screen of death (again). Lather, rinse, repeat. I've weeded out some software I'd recently installed, but I'm afraid to turn the box off lest it give me a fight again!

Anyway, here's an Uist verse that Flora MacNeil sings but Karen doesn't:

'S ann am Bràigh Innis Ruairidh tha mo luaidh de na mnàth
Te na gorm shùilean meallach 's a' bhroillich ghil bhàin
Cheart cho cìnnteach 's tha'm bradan air an aigeal a'tàmh
Thug mi'n gaol cha ghaol brèige dhan euchdaig ghil bhàin

You're my companion, my darling, and my love
We have that reputation for carefree happiness
I didn't feel the week pass when I was with my darling
I wouln't ask for any other bed but a bed prepared from heather

Though I'm going home, my treasure is behind me
I'd recognise her easily in a gathering of hundreds
Lascivious mouth of sweetest nothings and ringleted, smooth, brown hair
Slender, delicate eyebrow like a feather plucked from the wing of the black cock

It was at the beginning of summer that I pledged my love to you
I would've been happier if I hadn't started the affair
My whole disposition has changed because of the depth of love I gave you
I'd prefer to sleep with you tonight than a thousand black cattle
*we're all glad to know that, I think!*

Going up to the village on Sunday, I feel low and miserable
When I see my darling in the company of another man
They carry on past me on their way to the pub
And he - and she allows him this - always receiving her kisses

While climbing the hill, a stumble came into my step
And also when descending the mountain with my gun under my arm
My spirit is full of sadness and pining for you now
And all I would ask in the world is for us to be friends again

You never gave me any reason to cast down your reputation
Though I would want you under any circumstances
You were always civil to me and your talk was always polite
And I will always seek you in my heart though you were married to three others

It is in Braigh Innis Ruairidh that my beloved of women is
She with the blue eyes and the white breast
Just as sure as the salmon lives on the bottom of the river
I gave my love, my true love, to my fair love

The first six verses were the translation from Ar Canan 's Ar Ceol, and are possibly by Chris Dillon. The Uist verse is from Flora.