Origins: John McLachlan

Subject: Origins: John McLachlan
From: ChS
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 05:06 AM

Who is the John McLachlan mentioned in the leaflet attached to the Capercaillie CD "Songs of the 45" as the author of "Oran Air Breith a Prionnsa Tearlach" (A Song upon the Birth of Prince Charles Stewart)?
Did he both write the Gaelic lyrics and compose the tune?
If the tune is modern, can the composer be the current Executive Director of the Association of Irish Composers, John McLachlan?
Text and music are here:
http://chrsouchon.free.fr/breithap.htm

Subject: RE: Origins: John McLachlan
From: Effsee
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 07:45 AM

From Capercaillie's notes....."The news soon reached the Highlands, and the poet John McLachlan made a song on his birth.."......this sounds to me like it was composed shortly after the birth of the prince.

Subject: RE: Origins: John McLachlan
From: ChS
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 08:53 AM

I had read it as well and understood it as you do -that' why I quoted JML on the page
http://chrsouchon.free.fr/authors.htm
chapter "Other Poets and Composers", as the author of the lyrics with the assumed date 1720.
But I find no other mention of this Gaelic poet

Subject: RE: Origins: John McLachlan
From: Effsee
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 11:35 AM

Perhaps if you had the Gaelic spelling of the name you might have more success. I'm afraid I can't help you in that direction though. Try putting the query on Footstompin' forum, there are a few Gaelic speakers and very knowledgable people frequent the forum. 'fraid I can't do the blue clickie thing but just Google and you'll find it easy enough.

Subject: RE: Origins: John McLachlan
From: ChS
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 12:30 PM

Thank you. I'll try