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Lyr Req: Gaelic Trad Cape Breton

29 Apr 00 - 10:39 AM (#220017)
Subject: Gaelic Trad Cape Breton
From: InOBU

Hi Gang!
Anyone have the Topic records ablum Gaelic Tradition in Cape Breton? I misplaced the song sheets inside it, and am looking for the words to Maili Dhonn, Bhoidheach Dhonn...
Many thanks, Larry

29 Apr 00 - 01:43 PM (#220054)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gaelic Trad Cape Breton
From: Malcolm Douglas

MÀILI DHONN, BHÒIDHEACH DHONN

Sung by John ("Seògan") Shaw, with the North Shore Singers. Recorded at Indian Brook, Victoria County, September 1976.
 

Seisd: Chorus:
Màili dhonn, bhòidheah dhonn,
Màili dhonn, thill i dhachaidh
Gruagach òg a chùil duinn,
Dh' eireadh m'intinn air t'fhaicinn.

 Brown-haired Màili, pretty Màili,
Brown-haired Màili has returned home.
Young maiden with the brown hair,
My spirits would rise to see you.
Gura mise tha gu tinn,
Cùl mo chinn air an leacann,
Bha mi (i) reimhe rotach, garbh
Air an fhairge 'gam marcachd.

 I'm heartsick,
The back of my head resting on the slope of the mountain,
It used to be rough and choppy
On the ocean, riding (the waves).
Gura mise tha gun spéird
Ann an Dùn Eideann 'sa Sasann
Bha mi 'reimhe am measg nan seòid
'Cluich an òir air na cairtean.

 I'm without energy,
In Edinburgh and England.
I used to be among the heroes,
Wagering gold on cards.
'Tighinn timcheall Rudha Lìod,
'S iomadh gunna caol a' lasadh.
Leig mo Mhàili 'n siud m'a cluais,
Ghabh i 'n cuan; 's ann bha 'fasan.

 Coming round the point of Leith,
Many's the long, slender gun that was blazing.
My Màili came about and headed out to sea,
As was her custom.
'S ann 'tighinn timcheall River Powell (Liverpool)
Bha i 'roladh 's a' slaiseadh.
Chluinnte farum a cuid chrann
Air a' chabhsair ann an Glascho.

 Approaching Liverpool,
She was rolling and lashing.
The racket from her masts
Could be heard on the pavements of Glasgow.
Thog i 'h-acraichean ann an Éirinn,
Leig i bréid ann an Sasann;
Bhuail i 'sròn air tìr a' Lìod,
'S leig i 'chridhe (?) ann an Glascho.

 She weighed anchor in Ireland,
She lowered her sail in England;
Her bow reached land in Leith
And she let off her heart (?) in Glasgow.
'S ann an t-seachdain bho'n dé
Thog mi bréid ann an Sasann,
'S ann a shamhlaich mi do cheum
Ri laogh féidh 's e aig astar.

 A week ago yesterday
I raised sail in England.
I likened your pace
To a young deer bounding ahead.
Bha i siùbhlach gun mheathadh
Eadar cruinn agus ragan;
Darach nach teirig a choidh
Eadar druim agus plangan.

 She was speedy and unfailing,
Both in her masts and her ribs;
Oak that never decays
In her keel and planks.
'Nuair a theid mi chun na féill'
'S e do bhréid a thig dhachaidh;
Tops'l ùr 'ga dheanamh dlùth,
Ged chosgadh e crùn an t-slat dhomh.		 When I go to the fair
Your kertch will return home with me;
A new tops'l tightly made,
Though it cost a crown a yard.


"The Màili Dhonn praised here is a ship which is portrayed as an attractive young woman.  Gael. bréid means both the headdress ("kertch") worn by women in the Gaidhealtachd and the sails of a ship.  Although this powerful song has been recorded elsewhere in Cape Breton, it is not known in Scotland.  John Shaw ("Seògan") was raised near Mount Smokey on the North Shore and lived for a time with Malcolm Angus MacLeod at Sgir Dhu."

Transcription, translation and notes by John Shaw, 1978.  I've laid this one out as a table for the sake of clarity, but it may be that this involves an undesirable amount of extra code in the background, so I'd be inclined only to do it rarely.

Malcolm

29 Apr 00 - 01:47 PM (#220056)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gaelic Trad Cape Breton
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)

Looked up the songs in my Gaelic Songs in Nova Scotia and neither are listed, Larry. Perhaps George Seto would be able to help you, he is a very knowledgable Chap. Yours, Aye. Dave

30 Apr 00 - 08:43 AM (#220330)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gaelic Trad Cape Breton
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

I think I have a copy of the notes.. Sounds like it's been looked after by Malcolm, though.

30 Apr 00 - 10:40 AM (#220359)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gaelic Trad Cape Breton
From: InOBU

Malcom!
Gorra mille ma agut! Ta me AN! happy, innish.
Drop me an e-mail and I will send you a rehersal tape of my band Sorcha Dorcha, (of course dave and George as well, if you guys are interested). All the best
Larry