Subject: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 22 Apr 02 - 08:47 PM Hi folks - this may be a stumper, but then I have faith in the Mudcat! On Capercaillie's CD "Beautiful Wasteland" (their best one ever, IMO) there is a song called "Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht", written by Manus Lunny. I believe it's in Irish, rather than Scots. A gorgeous song, with great harmony between Manus and Karen Matheson. Capercaillie's website does not have the lyrics. Can anyone here provide them, plus an English translation? You'll make my day. Cheers, Michael |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: The Pooka Date: 22 Apr 02 - 11:41 PM michaelr -- I've been "Googling" it; many references & listings but no damn lyrics. Frustrating. I tried some of the great links on Mudcatter George Seto's site, without success, but didn't try everything there. Did you look there? Click here Maybe George, very knowledgeable of the gaelic, could help. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 22 Apr 02 - 11:49 PM I've looked. HAven't found anything yet. If it IS Irish, then I may not be able to. Áine or Phillipa may be better for Irish lyrics. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 23 Apr 02 - 12:12 AM Thanks for checking, Pooka and George. I have hopes! Michael |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 23 Apr 02 - 12:19 AM Wow - one could spend months exploring all those links (jeez, I wish I had the time!) So that's your link list, George? Quite impressive! I'll dig around some more, but my feeling is that the song is not in print, and my hope lies with a fellow fan who has transcribed it. (I know you're out there!) Cheers, Michael |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: The Pooka Date: 23 Apr 02 - 01:25 AM I know you'll find it, michaelr. Your hopes will not be denied. / Yeah aren't George's links amazing? |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: GUEST Date: 23 Apr 02 - 02:27 AM Most Capercaillie songs are at http://www.capercaillie.co.uk/lyrics/ listed by album, but the lyrics for this one aren't. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: GUEST,Phil Date: 23 Apr 02 - 02:46 AM well, the title is Irish; it means "You could stay" |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: GUEST Date: 23 Apr 02 - 08:13 AM I don't have the album, but I'm familiar with the song. The gist of lyrics are that young Irish people (presumably Gaeltacht residents) should travel the world, but always come back to their homes in Ireland. Why someone would want to write a song lecturing young people like that, I'll never know. Lovely tune, silly lyric. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 23 Apr 02 - 03:20 PM Thank you, Guests... we're getting closer! Any minute now, someone is going to chime in with the lyrics. I can feel it! Michael |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:44 PM refresh |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 25 Apr 02 - 08:56 PM Thanks Michaelr and Pooka. I figured if I needed these at some point in time, someone else might. Every once in a while I do prune them a bit. Still haven't found a hint of the words. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 01 Apr 03 - 01:47 PM Still looking! |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: MMario Date: 01 Apr 03 - 02:02 PM still not on the Capercaillie site - nor anywhere else I can find on google. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 01 Apr 03 - 02:17 PM OK, I'm desperate now, and will try anything, including bribery. Irish-speaking Mudcatters, take note! I will GIVE you, no charge, and mail at my cost, a copy of Capercaillie's "Beautiful Wasteland" CD (a great album) if you'll agree to sit down and figure out the lyrics. And if you succeed, I will GIVE you a copy of the upcoming new CD from my band, Greenhouse! And if that's not enough, I'll throw in $25,000 cash. Cheers, Michael |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Folkiedave Date: 01 Apr 03 - 03:23 PM Despite my belief in Capercaillie not being poor - I reckon they would perform it for that sort of money!! Dave www.collectorsfolk.co.uk www.homlfirthfestival.com |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Aodh Date: 01 Apr 03 - 03:37 PM If my memory is right this isn't the first time they have sung in Irish. Is there not a song called Nil sin na nGra or Nul Sinn nan Graidh? |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 01 Apr 03 - 09:09 PM I checked the Gaelic-L mailing list, and didn't find the lyrics there, even though a request had been posted in 1999 looking for the lyrics. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 01 Apr 03 - 09:46 PM Aodh -- you're right; even though they're a Scots band, Manus Lunny writes in Irish. "Nil Si I nGra" is another one of his, from "To The Moon". George, thanks for checking. Where are those Irish speakers? |
Subject: RE: Help: Níl sí i ngrá From: GUEST,Philippa Date: 03 Apr 08 - 07:02 AM have a look at http://www.geocities.com/celticlyricscorner/capercaillie/nil.htm |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: artbrooks Date: 03 Apr 08 - 11:20 AM Philippa, the lyrics to "Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht" aren't there. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 03 Apr 08 - 06:17 PM Six years, and still no joy. Jaysus... Philippa, since you refreshed this thread, my above offer of free CDs still stands (I've since spent the $25,000 though ;-) I'd be greatly appreciative if you would help. Cheers, Michael |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 04 Apr 08 - 08:14 PM Philippa? Anyone? |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: GUEST,Guest Date: 04 Apr 08 - 08:24 PM I'll agree, the lyrics are silly. Nil Si nGra was a far better song, about a meaningful subject. This was a throw away song about Manus moving to the Gaeltacht where his mum is from, if I'm recalling correctly. I could give it a listen again, see what I can suss out. But michaelr, why the obsession for such a crap lyric? Mostly, it just repeats the song title over and over, doesn't it? |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 04 Apr 08 - 09:01 PM Well, I don't understand the lyric, so I don't know whether it's crap or not. But I do love the sound of it... it's the song on Beautiful Wasteland that first enchanted me with Karen Matheson's amazing voice. The guitar work (unusual for Capercaillie) is magic too. Guest, if you can figure it out (and translate, if it's not too much to ask), you've got the free CD coming. Cheers, Michael |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: GUEST,Guest Date: 04 Apr 08 - 09:35 PM Thanks, but I've already got the cd. I've heard it referred to as an "exile's song" and Manus certainly has a theme of exile sorts of songs going in his original stuff, as many of the Irish singer-songwriters do. I've always referred to it as the "Coming and Going in Circles" song. IMO, the very best duet by Manus and Karen was their first ever from 'Sidewaulk', Oh Mo Dhùthaich. One of the most stunning duets Manus has ever done. I just popped the CD in, and listening to it is already giving me a headache. Manus composes lyrics in Donegal Irish, which is why so many people's eyes glaze over when you ask for translations of his original lyrics. I think someone asked me to translate it once. Coming and going, listen up... go away... then come on come back... listen up... The drip sound of the effects machine makes me insane...and then there is that truly obnoxious effect of something pounding metal... Anseo... agus chi... repeat endlessly until your brain explodes... sorry, just can't do it after two glasses of wine. I can't perform bleedin' miracles. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: GUEST,Guest Date: 04 Apr 08 - 09:52 PM Actually, I think it might be closer to four glasses of wine. At any rate michaelr, you don't deserve the treatment I've set out here. Tomorrow I'll try and give it a listen, and see if I can sort it out a bit for you. But listening to it again just now, I remember those horrid, horrid sound effects that throw me out of the song every time I hear it. It reminds me of the absolute worst of the excesses of over-produced stuff by Capercaillie in that era. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 04 Apr 08 - 11:41 PM Guest, yes, I assumed you had the BW CD: I was offering one from my band (Hopefully not headache-inducing). Agreed about the sound effects; have you ever heard the "dance remix" CD produced by Will Mowat? Truly atrocious. I think the Capers are over that phase by now. Thanks for your efforts, Michael |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Thompson Date: 05 Apr 08 - 01:36 PM I took a look on Amazon, and this track doesn't seem to be listed. Beautiful Wasteland's tracks are listed as: 1. Beautiful Wasteland 2. M'ionam 3. Ille Dhiunn 4. Shelter 5. Finlay's 6. Am Mur Gorm 7. Tree 8. Keppehall 9. Co Nimire Rium 10. Thuy Thu 11. Sardinia 12. Hebridean Halle Bopp What's the story? ARe there two versions of the album? |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Thompson Date: 05 Apr 08 - 01:37 PM By the way, 'Thiocfaidh' doesn't sound like Irish - the T shouldn't have an H after it when it's all alone and lonely like that. Unless they're being slangy and saying "Wouldya come and stay?" |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Thompson Date: 05 Apr 08 - 01:53 PM Sorry for the multi-posts, I can't find an 'edit' function. This review says: THIOCFADH LEAT FANACHT. This is a song encouraging young people to travel the world but to come back to their homeland again sung in Gaelic. A traditional song with traditional music. Lovely and lilting wistful sounds. This super-duper Gaelic lyrics site says "no lyrics available". Hmmm. The fans on this http://www.capercaillie.co.uk/fans/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1444&highlight=&sid=67a1957c497773de58ec453c6486cf88 were looking for it back in 2002, but don't seem to have found it. This review in Italian (I think) appears to quote part of the song as: hiocfadh leat fanacht o Tighinn air a'mhuir am fear a phosas mi. This is Scots Gaedhlig, rather than Irish, and from my rusty Irish I can say that it means "Would you come and stay from the country beyond the sea, man I married?" I'd suggest throwing up another quote on that capercaillie.co.uk site, and maybe if you're not shy also writing to the band. Sorry I can't help more. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Thompson Date: 05 Apr 08 - 02:09 PM Whoops, sorry, blue clicky didn't work, and also it's "from that *house* on the sea" (presumably either his boat or an allegorical reference to distance. And of course 'thiocfaidh leat' probably means 'you can'... Actually, I wonder if I'm conflating two separate songs... |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 05 Apr 08 - 03:18 PM Actually, I wonder if I'm conflating two separate songs... I think you are. "Tighinn air a'mhuir am fear a phosas mi" is from the CD "Nadurra" and means "The one who will marry me is coming over the sea", according to the booklet. There may be different versions of "Beautiful Wasteland": the US release has a blue cover. Track list is as follows: 1. M'ionam, 2. Inexile, 3. The Tree, 4. Am Mur Gorm, 5. Beautiful Wasteland, 6. Co Ni Mire Rium, 7. Shelter, 8. Hebridean Hale-Bopp, 9. Kepplehall/25 Kts, 10. Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht, 11. Finlay's, 12. Sardinia |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Thompson Date: 05 Apr 08 - 07:25 PM Literally, He will come over the sea, the man who will marry me. I'd say the best dart would be to contact the writer, Mr Lunny. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 06 Apr 08 - 01:22 PM Yeah, I tried that six years ago as well. I had no response. There are quite a few Irish speakers here on Mudcat. I keep hoping one of them will take pity... |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 07 Apr 08 - 05:39 PM Guest, Guest: No fair teasing! |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Thompson Date: 16 Apr 08 - 01:15 PM On a Capercaillie fan forum, someone gives one verse as: Thiocfadh, thiocfadh leat fanacht Thiocfadh, thiocfadh leat imeacht Agus tilleadh tu an saol atá romhat Thiocfadh, thiocfadh leat (tilleadh tu? Don't know what that means). |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 16 Apr 08 - 03:41 PM Well, the reason the Irish people can't help is as stated earlier, this song is in SCOTTISH Gaelic. If you can find the lyrics, and post them, we might get them translated for you. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: GUEST,Guest Date: 16 Apr 08 - 06:28 PM No, the song is definitely in Irish (Gaeilge), not not Scottish (Gàidhlig). The song was written by Mánus Lunny - all of his songs for Capercaillie (Rann Na Móna, Níl Sí I nGrá & Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht) were written in Irish. |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: michaelr Date: 16 Apr 08 - 06:33 PM Thompson -- that is the chorus. Did you find any verses? |
Subject: RE: Help: Capercaillie Gaelic song From: Thompson Date: 17 Apr 08 - 12:58 PM Nary a one. Sorry. |
Subject: Lyr Add: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: michaelr Date: 23 Jan 09 - 08:21 PM Someone posted this on the Capercaillie fan site. Hopefully one of or resident Gaels can check it. Thoicfadh leat fanacht (Manus Lunny) curfa: Thoicfadh, thoicfadh leat fanacht Thoicfadh, thoicfadh leat imeacht Agus tí bhi tú an saol atá romhat Thoicfadh, thoicfadh leat Siúil an bhrid na portaí 'S iascaire na (or an?) imeacht Agus tí na hEireann dhá sa suaimhneach Gan chré as tí go ndeann curfa Thoicfadh, thoicfadh leat fanacht Thoicfadh, thoicfadh leat imeacht Agus tí bhi tu an saol atá romhat Thoicfadh, thoicfadh leat Ach tá guth ar scar torainn Cóch te aici anseo Agus éistigi (could be éist aici?) leis an fharraige Éistigi liom chorus: Would you come, Would you come stay with me Would you come, would you come leave with me And the house, you were the life that is before you Would you come, would you come with me The bride walks to the port A fisherman is departing And the House of Ireland is in a peaceful state Without the earth from the house going to dust chorus: Would you come, Would you come stay with me Would you come, would you come leave with me And the house, you were the life that is before you Would you come, would you come with me But a voice is seperating from the noise A hot gust (of wind) at her here (i.e. hits her face) And listen to the sea also Listen to me |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: michaelr Date: 24 Jan 09 - 08:51 PM refresh in the hope someone will check the accuracy of this |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: Suegorgeous Date: 25 Jan 09 - 05:27 PM Maybe it might work better to start a new thread, Michael, entitled Any Irish gaelic speakers here, or something?! because lots of Irish speakers will pass over the current one, unless they know this song. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: GUEST Date: 26 Jan 09 - 06:40 AM Michaelr, I've listened to the song and it does sound a bit like Scots Gaelic but I suppose that could be due to the accent or dialect. I'm from Co Waterford in the south-east of Ireland and the Co Donegal people [Tír Chonaill] do sound a lot like the people of the Western Isles to me. From what I can understand it is one of those "Celtic" New Age or soul lyrics that consist of little phrases and expressions of longing rather than a story. But I wouldn't accept the translation you were given. The chorus seems to just say: 'You could, you could stay, you could, you could go, you could see the life that's before you, you could, you could.' The first verse seems to start with: 'Walk through the meadows, down to Rann na Mart[?], and you'll see.... [here it probably names all the beauty spots along the coast but that's only a guess]. The second verse seems to say:'You could go out over the border[ another guess], stay here, listen to the quiet sea, listen to me.' It might be as someone said earlier, a plea for young Gaeltacht people to come back home. That would make sense as all the Gaeltacht areas suffer from the loss of the young people who are the life blood of a district and its future. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: michaelr Date: 27 Jan 09 - 12:52 AM Thank you, Guest. Your understanding of the lyric seems to coincide with the somewhat dismissive one of Guest, 04-04-08. So you're saying that "thiocfahd" means "you could"? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: GUEST Date: 28 Jan 09 - 04:58 AM Yes michaelr, it's not standard 'Irish as she is taught in schools but 'tig leat' means 'you can' in some parts of the north. The standard would say - D'fhéadfá fanacht- that is the Conditional mood second person singular. Guest
Thanks. -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: MartinRyan Date: 28 Jan 09 - 05:25 AM I should keep away from this until we have a printed text ... The opening line is almost certainly: "Thiocfadh leat fanacht" This is a conditional statement - not a question. The sense is "You could stay". The root is the verb structure "tar le". As GUEST suggests "Tig le" is a Donegal form of the present tense of the same structure "tagann le". Regards |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:41 PM Michaelr, The Scottish for that would be "Thigibh", which I think would pronounce similarly to "Thiocfadh" so that is a correspondence. Will check what I can. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Thiocfadh Leat Fanacht (Manus Lunny) From: MartinRyan Date: 02 Feb 09 - 02:34 PM I've had a listen to Karen Matheson's singing of this song and this is what I make of the chorus: Thiocfadh leat, thiocfadh fanacht Thiocfadh, thiocfadh leat imeacht Agus cífidh * tú an saol atá romhat Thiocfadh, thiocfadh leat which I would translate as You could, you could stay You could, you could go And you will see the life that awaits you You could, you could * I agree it sounds like she sings tí rather than cí but I can't make sense of the former. Is Karen from Donegal - or is she singing phonetically? The verses are a bit harder to make out through the rather Celtic mist - I might try them on someone with more familiarity with Donegal Irish! Regards |
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