Lyr Add: Chi Mi Bhuam (I See in the Distance)

Subject: Lyr Add: Chi Mi Bhuam (I See in the Distance)
From: GUEST,Rory
Date: 03 Feb 21 - 03:19 AM

Chi Mi Bhuam
(I See in the Distance)

Composed by John MacFadyen (1850-1935)
Poet from Mull.

Published in MacFadyen's book:
Sgeulaiche nan Caol: Original Gaelic readings, sketches, poems and songs, 1902, pp.253-255,
titled: "Chi mi Muile nam beann fuar" (I see Mull of the cold hills).

First published in Mac-Talla, No. 44, 29 April 1898, p 352.


The song is in praise of his island, and was composed while MacFadyen was on a voyage around the Isle of Mull.


"Chi mi Muile nam beann fuar"

1
Chi mi bhuam, fada bhuam
Chi mi bhuam ri muir-làin
Chi mi Muile nam beann fuar
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil

2
Chi mi mullach nam beann mòr
Anns an òg mhadainn àidh
An t-aon as àirde dhiubh na 'n còrr
'S badan ceò air a bàrr
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil

3
Chi mi Dubhairt, chi mi 'n tùr,
Chi mi smùdan no dhà.
Chi mi doireachan nan allt,
Spreidh nan gleann le 'n cuid àil.

4
Chi mi 'n Leitir taobh a' chaoil,
Dh'fhàs gun saothair nan làmh;
Chi mi 'ghucag air an fhraoch,
Chi mi 'n caorunn fo bhlàth.

5
Chi mi fior-uisge nam beann,
Tigh'nn 'na dheann leis gach màm;
Aird-nan-cros 'us Rudh'-nan-Gall,
'S bristeadh thonn air a thràigh.

6
Chi mi Treisinis na'n sonn,
Lunga thall, creagach, àrd;
Chi mi Calgairidh ri grèin,
'S boillsg' mar reul o'n Tràigh-bhàin.

7
Chi mi bràigh Leac-a-lìth,
Chi mi Dìnnseag 's a Gheairn';
Beul Loch Leamhain, Eilean I,
A ghaineamh mhìn ri muir-tràigh.

8
A' ghrian a' siaradh anns an speur,
Cuan 'na rèidhlean cho sèimh;
Rudh' Aird-Eallanais 'nar dèigh
'S cobhar brèid-gheal o 'sàil.

9
Chi mi 'n aitreabh, chi mi chruach,
Ris na chuallaich mi 'n t-àl;
'S gu bheil cagar ann am chluais
O gach bruaich, air na bhà.

10
Gu bheil cagar caidreamh binn,
'Thig a nìos 'n uair a's àill.
Ged tha fios agam 'us cìnnt,
Riums' nach tìll iad gu bràth.

11
Tir a' bharraich, tìr nan stuadh,
'S tric a luaidh ort na bàird;
Car mar char a rèir gach pong—
Thig gach rann dheth 'na àit'.

12
'N uair a thug mi riut mo chùl,
Rinn mi dùsgadh gu dàn;
'S dh' èirich m' fharmad ris a' bhrùid,
'Bhios mu d' stùcan a' tàmh.

13
Bidh mi 'sealltainn ris a' Chùirt,
'S bidh mi 'n dùrachd no dhà;
'S bidh mi 'g altrum tuille 's dùil,
Gu 'n tig cùisean na 's feàrr.




"I see Mull of the cold hills"

1
I see in the distance, far from me,
I see in the distance to the high tide,
I see Mull of the cold hills
Far from me across the sea,
Far from me across the sea.

2
I see the summit of the big hills
In the early morning's joy,
The highest one darkest of them all,
A patch of mist on its peak
Far from me across the sea.

3
I see Duart Castle, I see the tower,
I see a smoke plume or two.
I see the groves by the streams,
The glens bursting with young growth.

4
I see Leitir by the sound,
Growing without the hands of labor;
I see the bud on the heather,
I see the rowan tree in bloom.

5
I see the clear water of the hills,
Rushing down every hill;
Ardnacross and Rhuba-nan-Gall,
With waves breaking on the beach.

6
I see Treshnis Isles in the sun,
Lunga is there, rocky and high;
I see Calgary in the sun,
Shining like a star from the White Sands.

7
I see the braes of Leac-a-lìth,
I see Dink and Gheairn;
Mouth of Loch Leven, Isle of I,
Its fine sand by the sea.

8
The sun sets in the sky,
The sea is so calm;
Rubh Aird Alanais behind us,
The white sails aiding to heel.

9
I see a mansion, I see a haystack,
I hear the calves in the herd,
Like a whisper in the ear,
On every bank, there were cows.

10
With the whisper of a sweet friendship,
Come up when you want.
Though I know for sure,
We will never return.

11
The land of high tops, the land of waves,
The poets have often praised you;
Twisting and turning according to each point,
Each verse comes in its place.

12
When I turned my back on you,
I awoke to destiny;
And my envy rose to the brute,
The peaks around you will be at rest.

13
I will look to the Court,
And I shall have a wish or two;
And will nurture more than hoped,
That things will get better.



.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chi Mi Bhuam (I See in the Distance)
From: GUEST,Rory
Date: 03 Feb 21 - 03:23 AM

"Chi Mi Bhuam"
(I See in the Distance)


Recording by Karen Matheson
Album: Down River (2006)


Chi mi bhuam, fada bhuam
Chi mi bhuam ri muir-làn
Chi mi Muile nam beann fuar
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil

Chi mi mullach nam beann mór
Anns an òg-mhadainn aigh
An t-aon as airde dhiubh nan còrr
'S badan ceò air a bàrr
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil

Chì mi ghucag air an fhraoch
Chì mi'n caorann fo bhlàth
Chì mi uisge glan nam beann
Tigh'nn 'na dheann leis gach màm
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil

Tir a' bharraich, tìr nan stuadh
'S tric a luaidh ort na bàird
'S nuair a thug mi riut mo chùl
Rinn mi dùsgadh gu dàn
'S bidh mi luaidh ort gu bràth

Chi mi bhuam, fada bhuam
Chi mi bhuam ri muir-làn
Chi mi Muile nam beann fuar
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil
Fada bhuam thar an t-sàil



I see in the distance, far from me,
I see in the distance to the high tide mark,
I see Mull of the cold high hills
far from me across the sea,
far from me across the sea.

I see the summit of the big hills
in the bay early in the morning,
the highest one of all of them,
a spot of mist on its peak
far from me across the sea.

I see a bud on the heather,
I see a rowan tree in bloom,
I see the clean fresh water of the hills
rushing down from each rounded peak
far from me across the sea.

The land of birch trees, the land of waves,
the poets have often praised you,
and when I turned my back on you
I awoke to destiny
and I will be praising you for ever.

I see in the distance, far from me,
I see in the distance to the high tide mark,
I see Mull of the cold high hills
far from me across the sea,
far from me across the sea.

.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chi Mi Bhuam (I See in the Distance)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Feb 21 - 08:48 PM

This version was written by Alexander "The Ridge" MacDonald. It is sung with more speed and swing than what Karen Matheson uses with the above.

CHI MI BHUAM

Chì mi bhuam, fada bhuam,
Chì mi bhuam, ri muir làin;
Chì mi Ceap Breatuinn mo luaidh   
Fada bhuam, thar an t-sàil.

Chì mi Créiginis nan craobh,
Le cuid aonaichean àrd;
'S an Rugh' Fada tha ri taobh'
Gheibhte maoin ann 'us barr.

Bha na Glaisrich ann gun eis,
Bheireadh feum as an fhal;
Bha iad modhail, bha iad gleusd',
Bha iad speiseil 'nan ghaths.

Chì mi Siudaig nam fear cruaidh,
Chì mi Bruaich nam fear àrd,
Bha Clann Sheumais ann ri uair -
Laoich a bhuanaicheadh blar.

Bha iad fearail, bha iad treun,
'S iad gun eucoir 'nan cail;
Ach nuair chasadh iad gu streup
'S iad nach geilleadh do namh.

Chì mi Sestico nan tur,
'S am bheil buthan 'us sraid;
Chì mi Màbou air a' chùl--
B' i sid duthaich mo ghraidh.

'S e na thug mi dhi de m' rùn
Rinn mo dhusgadh gu dan,
'S gu bheil m' fharmad ris gach gnuis
Tha mu bru'ichibh a tamh.

Gu bheil togradh ann am inntinn
Bhi leibh mar a bha,
Ged tha fios agam 'us cinnt
Ribh nach till mi gu brath.

Chì mi cladach Meinn a' Ghuail,
'S am bidh buar agus gran;
'S Rugh an t-Seallaidh fad mu thuath,   
Creagach, fuar agus àrd.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chi Mi Bhuam (I See in the Distance)
From: GUEST,Rory
Date: 07 Feb 21 - 06:30 AM

As noted by Guest above


"Cumha Cheap Breatuinn" (Lament for Cape Breton)
Song written ca. 1903 by
Alexander the Ridge MacDonald (1823-1904)


Alexander the Ridge was born in Mabou, Cape Breton Island, and after emigrating to the South River on the Mainland, he composed many poems about the land he left. He did this when he was an old man on a trip to George's Point. It appears to have been a fine summer's day, with a fine view of the coasts of some parts of Inverness-shire.

Alexander the Ridge MacDonald (1823-1904) was also a Gaelic poet, although of a different style to his father Allan the Ridge MacDonald. His "Cumhna Cheap Breatuinn" (Lament for Cape Breton) on the air "Chi Mi Bhuam Fada Bhuam" is widely known and loved to this day.


"Cumha Cheap Breatuinn"


Chì mi bhuam, fada bhuam,
Chì mi bhuam, ri muir làin;
Chì mi Ceap Breatuinn mo luaidh
Fada bhuam, thar an t-sàil.

1
Chì mi Créiginis nan craobh,
Le cuid aonaichean àrd;
'S an Rubh' Fada tha ri taobh
Gheibhte maoin ann 's barr.

2
Bha na Glaisrich ann gun èis,
Bheireadh feum as an fhàl;
Bha iad modhail, bha iad gleusd ',
Bha iad speiseil' nan ghaths.

3
Chì mi Siùdaig nam fear cruaidh,
Chì mi Bruaich nam fear àrd,
Bha Clann Sheumais ann ri uair
Laoich a bhuanaicheadh ??blàr.

4
Bha iad fearail, bha iad friun,
'S iad gun eucoir 'n an cail;
Ach nuair chasadh iad gu streup
'S iad nach geilleadh do namh.

5
Chì mi Sestico nan tùr,
'S am bheil bùthan' us sràid;
Chì mi Màbu air a 'cùl–
B' i sid dùthaich mo ghràidh.

6
'S e na thug mi dhi de m' rùn
Rinn mo dhusgadh gu dan,
'S gu bheil m' fharmad ris gach gnuis
Tha mu bru'ichibh a tamh.

7
Gu bheil togradh ann am inntinn
Bhi leibh mar a bha,
Ged tha fios agam 'us cinnt
Ribh nach till mi gu bràth.

8
Chì mi cladach Mèinn a 'Ghuail,
' S am bidh buar agus gràn;
'S Rubh' an t-Seallaidh fad mu thuath,
Creagach, fuar agus àrd.

9
Tha mi ruith gu ceann mo réis,
'S mi fo èislean gach there;
Sguiridh mi 's cha' n eil mi réidh,
'S cha' n eil feum ann am dhàn.

10
Nis bho 'n tha mi air bheag stàth,
Leam a b'àill, nuair nach beò,
Mi bhi còmhla ri m' chàirdean,
Ann am Màbu fo 'n fhoid.




"Lamentation for Cape Breton"
(A rough translation)


I see far, far from me,
I see at high tide
I see Cape Breton, my love,
Far from me, across the sea.

1
I see Creignish of the forests
With its high pastures
And Cape Long on its coast
With prosperity and crops.

2
The Glaswegians were there without fail, The blood would be used;
They were polite, they were smart,
They were special in their sting.

3
I see Judic strong men
I see Braes tall men
Once the Sheumais Clan lived there
Heroes who would win battles

4
They were manly, they were brave,
They were without fault;
But when they turned to strife
They would not surrender to your enemy.

5
I see Chestico from the towers
There are shops and a main street
I can see Mabou in the background
This is the country I loved

6
What I gave her was my love
That woke me up loudly,
And that my envy is on every face
It is about the banks that rest.

7
It is a desire in my mind
To be with you as you were
Though I know for sure
I will never return

8
I see Mine-du-Charbon beach
Where there are cattle and cereals
And Cap-Vue (Sight Point) to the north
Rocky, cold, and high

9
I am coming to the end of my time on earth
I am discouraged every day
I will even end that I am sad:
It's useless, my song

10
Because I am now weak
When I no longer live
I would like to be with my friends
Buried under the grass of Mabou



The first stanza (chorus) of both texts from MacDonald and MacFadyen are almost identical.
Verse 6 (MacDonald) is similar to verse 12 (MacFadyen).
Verse 7 (MacDonald) is similar to verse 10 (MacFadyen).


Alexander the Ridge MacDonald was an old man when he composed this song, not long before he died in 1904.
He appeared to have borrowed a few lines from Macfadyen's song.



A few sources have cited Allan the Ridge MacDonald as author. This is in error.
Cannot find any source for this version of the song "Cumha Cheap Breatuinn" supposedly attributed to Allan the Ridge MacDonald. ca. 1850.
No reference at all for 1800s.
No mention in publications by Rev. A MacLean Sinclair.
No mention in the book Allan the Ridge MacDonald, by Effie Rankin, 2005, A compilation and translation of the known Gaelic songs of Allan the Ridge.


.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chi Mi Bhuam (I See in the Distance)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 21 - 12:13 AM

Moran taing!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chi Mi Bhuam (I See in the Distance)
From: Felipa
Date: 11 Feb 21 - 04:21 PM

at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrfn51CCCeg, Clare Jordan recites the words before she sings them. This should help anyone who wants to learn the song to improve their pronunciation. Clare sings the first three verses as recorded by Karen Matheson (Rory's 2nd post in this discussion thread) and then repeats the first verse, which she refers to as a chorus.