Origins: Bheir Mo Shoraidh Thar Ghunnaidh in PD?

Subject: Origins: Bheir Mo Shoraidh Thar Ghunnaidh in PD?
From: GUEST,Ann Carter
Date: 22 May 19 - 11:50 AM

Is the Scottish song, "Bheir Mo Shoraidh Thar Ghunnaidh" in the Public Domain?

Subject: RE: Origins: Bheir Mo Shoraidh Thar Ghunnaidh in PD?
From: GUEST,ottery
Date: 24 May 19 - 04:19 PM

My guess would be "yes". I've had a poke around the internet and not found much - just that the song might also be known as, "Thoir
mo shoraidh thar Ghunnaigh" and "Mo Nighean Donn Bhòidheach" (the latter v. confusing because at least one other (different) song exists with the same name. The singers liked their songs about brown-haired girls.

The translation I've seen of it makes it sound very traditional/unliterary.

Just a guess though.

Subject: RE: Origins: Bheir Mo Shoraidh Thar Ghunnaidh in PD?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 19 - 12:52 AM

I can't answer the question definitely, but the subject matter would seem to make it something from quite long ago. These lyrics and notes are from Anne Lorne Gillies' book 'Songs of Gaelic Scotland,' and her comment that the provenance has been lost would imply that it is fairly old.


Thoir mo shoraidh thar Ghunaigh

Hug óireann o ró hu bha hó,
mo nighean donn bhóidheach,
hug óireann ó ro hú bha hó.

Thoir mo shoraidh thar Ghunaigh
gu Muile nam mór-bheann,

Bear my farewell across Gunna Sound
to Mull of the high mountains,

Hug óireann o ró hu bha hó . . .

far an cluinnear a' chuthag
air gach bruthaich ro Bhealltainn.

where the cuckoo is heard
on every brae before Beltane

Hug óireann o ró hu bha hó . . .

Chi mi 'm báta 's i tighinn,
is Iain ga seóladh.

I see the boat coming
With John steering her.

Hug óireann o ró hu bha hó . . .

Cúm dlreach í, Iain,
cúm tioram í, Dhómhnaill.

Keep her steady, lain,
keep her dry, Donald.

Hug óireann o ró hu bha hó . . .

'S i an ciste chaoil chumhaing
air a dúnadh 's a gróbadh.

She lies in a narrow coffin
closed over and sealed.

Hug óireann o ró hu bha hó . . .

'S truagh nach robh mi san fhiabhras
mun do chuir mi riamh d' eólas.

I wish I had succumbed to the fever
before I ever made your acquaintance.

Hug óireann o ró hú bha hó . . .


This is another rowing song in which the boat carries a coffin. On this occasion it holds the
sweetheart of the song's anonymous composer, who is so distraught at her death that he wishes he had
never laid eyes on her.

Again, it has a very beautiful melody and an easily mastered refrain of meaningless vocables.
I learned the song from the singing of Flora MacNeil, who in turn learned it from Donald MacPherson
of Barra, who had heard it in Mull. Perhaps because of this roundabout provenance the identities of
the lovers and the details of their circumstances have, at least as far as I know, been lost. It is
published in Orain nan Gaidheal, vol. 3, and in An Comunn Gaidhealach’s Mod publication, Cdisirean
Oigridh (1989).

Subject: RE: Origins: Bheir Mo Shoraidh Thar Ghunnaidh in PD?
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 25 May 19 - 02:11 PM

http://folktrax-archive.org/menus/cassprogs/001scotsgaelic.htm

See if #4 is what you're looking for. It has reference to 1909.

Subject: RE: Origins: Bheir Mo Shoraidh Thar Ghunnaidh in PD?
From: GUEST,ottery
Date: 26 May 19 - 02:39 AM

Short as it is, I've really enjoyed this thread. Looks as if Starship and Guest have provided an answer that's as certain as it can be.

Subject: RE: Origins: Bheir Mo Shoraidh Thar Ghunnaidh in PD?
From: Reinhard
Date: 26 May 19 - 05:04 AM

The Folktrax reference to 1909 is somewhat misleading. Kennedy gives in "Folksongs of Britain & Ireland":

from Fiona MacNeil, rec. Peter Kennedy, 1967

Printed version
MacLeod: 1934

Compare
Kennedy Fraser: 1909, vol. I, p. 119
Gairm: vol IV, p.239

so the 1909 reference may just be a similar song to this one. But still it's a traditional song.

You can find a recording of Thoir mo thoraidh thar Ghunnaidh sung by Darren MacLean of Skye on the CD TMSA Young Trad Tour 2006.