Lyr Add: O Luadh

Subject: Lyr Add: O Luadh
From: RunrigFan
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 08:26 PM

Traditional song

O luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn
È luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn
O gura truagh a' cheist, o luaidh
Nach robh mi san uaigh mun d' fhuair mi sealladh ort
O luaidh

Chunnaic mi thall sa mhòine gearradh i
Gruagach òg, 's chòrd a pearsa rium
Chaidh mi anull 's gun fhaic mi i dlùth
'S a' mhais' air a gnùis a dh'ùraich leannanachd
O luaidh

An tèid thu leam gu tìr nam monaidhean
Tìr nam fiadh, nan earb 's nan coineanach
Tìr nan siad, 's ann bha thu riamh
'S gun ith thu do bhiadh gun sgian 's gun ghreimiche
O luaidh

Nam biodh peann 's pàipear geal agam
Sgrìobhainn dhut sìos mo chainnt le barantas
Cùmhnant tha teann nach fhosgail bhon chlèir
'S ma dh'fhalbhas tu fhèin, chan fheum thu t'fharadh ann
O luaidh

English

Chorus (after each verse):
Oh love, it's a pity we never courted
Eh love, it's a pity we never courted
Oh what a pitiful question
Would that I was in my grave before I met you
Oh love

I saw her working on the peat
A pretty maiden, and I liked the look of her
After closer inspection
Her beautiful face had me wishing for courtship
Oh love

Will you go with me to the land of the moors
The land of deer, roe and rabbits
The land of heroes where you always lived
Where you will eat without knife and fork
Oh love

Had I pen and white paper
I would write this in vows that cannot be broken
A contract sealed by the clergy
If you go, you will not need your fare
Oh love

As sung by Kathleen MacInnes

The Lochies did a version, not sure of the lyrics are the same


Quirky Jade

Sèist:
O luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn
È luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn
O gura truagh a' cheist, o luaidh
Nach robh mi san uaigh mun d' fhuair mi sealladh ort
O luaidh

I saw a maiden working on the peat
She was fair, my heart she didn't treat
And another time, I was loved by her grace
Her beautiful face
I yearn to make her mine
O Luaidh

O luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn
È luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn
O gura truagh a' cheist, o luaidh
Nach robh mi san uaigh mun d' fhuair mi sealladh ort
O luaidh

I would want a union to be blessed
Then my heart can be surely be addressed
Votes of our mutual, love we will make
never to break
Until we part this world,
O Luaidh

O luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn
È luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn
O gura truagh a' cheist, o luaidh
Nach robh mi san uaigh mun d' fhuair mi sealladh ort
O luaidh

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: O Luadh
From: GUEST,Rory
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 01:14 AM

Does anyone know the origins of this song.
I cannot find any sources pertaining to author or date.

The subject matter could be from the 18th century.


My interpretation of this song

This song is of unrequited love and tells of a man fantasising about courting a beautiful young woman he sees working out on the land. He wishes to ask her to marry him and come and live with him on the moors. And if she refused she would be free to go her own way.

But his dreams never eventuate and he is left tormented by his thoughts.
He never got to court the woman, and he is left with a sad conundrum, pondering what life would have been like if the courtship had have happened. He feels tormented and would rather have been better off in the grave than to have met her.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: O Luadh
From: GUEST,Rory
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 02:40 AM

Are there any variants to this song?

These artists sing identical lyrics

The Lockies, Album: Lewis Folk (1987)
Kathleen MacInnes, Album: Òg-Mhadainn Shamhraidh (Summer Dawn) (2006)
Angus G MacLeod, Album: Slat à coille (2018)
CÒIG, Album: Ashlar (2019)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: O Luadh
From: Felipa
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 12:25 PM

this reference just says it has no author, but it gives an opportunity to hear two more singers Gordán McKeeve and Coinneach MacThòmais
http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/oran/orain/o_luaidh/