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Origins: Chi M'in Toman

15 Sep 03 - 05:45 PM (#1019480)
Subject: Origins: Chi M'in Toman
From: PiobBear

Does anyone know the English translation of the title, or any history of the tune? I can't quite make it out from McFarlane's...

15 Sep 03 - 06:29 PM (#1019509)
Subject: RE: Origins: Chi M'in Toman
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

I think it says, I will see the Hillock

From this site: http://www.lochiel.net/archives/arch116.html

The Sheiling: Its Traditions and Songs
by Mary Cameron MacKellar
February 8, 1888

Another unfortunate girl was at the sheiling with her companion; and, when out on the hillside, she made the acquaintance of a fairy lover, to whom she was most devoted. She used to steal away every evening to meet him in a cosy hiding place surrounded by trees of holly and mountain ash, and although her companion watched her, she could not find out where she was going.  At last she asked her to confide in her, promising that the secret would come through her knee before it came through her lips. The maiden then told her where she went every evening, and the other soon revealed the secret; and the girl's brothers went to the place, and found the lover resting on a bed of straw that the maiden had made for him at their trysting place. The lover, who was probably human enough, was slain by the angry young men, and the girl, on getting near the place, saw them ride away; and on going to her lover, she found him slain.

The poor girl died of sorrow, and composed the following song, in which she bitterly reproaches her companion for unfaithfulness: -

"Far am biodh mo leannan falaich,
Cha b'ioghna mise a bhi ann,
Fàile nan ù bhlan meala,
Dhe 'n fhodar a bha fodh cheann.

Ille bhig, ille bhig, hugaidh o,
Hugaidh o, hugaidh o,
Ille bhig, ille bhig, hugaidh o,
Dh'fhag thu 'n raoir gun sugradh mi.

Chith mi mo thriuir bhraithrean thall ud,
Air an eachaibh loma luath,
Sgianan beaga aca ri 'n taobh,
Is fuil mo ghaoil a' sileadh uath.
Ille bhig, etc.

Cha teid mise a chrò nail 1aoighean,
'S cha teid mi do chrò nan uan,
'S cha teid mi do chrò nan caorach,
Bho nach 'eil mo ghaoilean buan.
Ille bhig, etc.

         Chi mi 'n toman caoruinn cuilinn,
         Chi mi 'n toman cuilinn thall,
         Chi mi 'n toman caoruinn cuilinn,
         'S laogh mo chèill air 'uilinn ann.
         Ille bhig etc.         

         A phiùrag ud 's a phiùrag eile,
         'S mairg a leigeadh riut a rùn,
       Gur 'luaithe a thainig an sgeul ud
         Troimh do bheul, no troimh do ghlùn.
         Ille bhig, etc.         

         Ach a nighean ud 's an dorus,
         Na' robh na fir ort an rùn,
         Sgoltadh a bhradain fhior-uisg,
         Eadar do dha chioch 's do ghlùn.
         Ille bhig, etc.         

         A luaidh ud 's a luaidh ud eile,
         Cha bhi mi na d' dheighidh buan,
         'S goirt a reubadh leo mo chridhe,
         Gaol nan gillean a thoirt uam.
         Ille bhig, etc.         

         'S a chraobh chaoruinn a tha thall ud,
         Ma 's ann ort a theid mi 'n chill,
         Tionndabh m' aghaidh ri Dun-tealbbaig,
         'S bheirear dhomhsa carbad grinn.
         Ille bhig, etc."

Not sure if the above is the correct song.

Ishbel MacAskill sings the song on her recording Sioda.

According to E Amour, J. MacFadyen might be the author.

15 Sep 03 - 07:15 PM (#1019547)
Subject: RE: Origins: Chi M'in Toman
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Found another singer with the song (Mp3) on Waulking The Tweed

15 Sep 03 - 07:24 PM (#1019557)
Subject: RE: Origins: Chi M'in Toman
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Looks like that audio clip has SOME of the verses shown in my first post.

16 Sep 03 - 02:30 AM (#1019717)
Subject: RE: Origins: Chi Mi'n Toman
From: GUEST

and has been recorded by Ishbel McCaskill (Nic Asgaill)

16 Sep 03 - 12:08 PM (#1019944)
Subject: RE: Origins: Chi M'in Toman
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Guest, we mentioned that it was on Ishbel MacAskill's Sioda in an earlier message.

17 Sep 03 - 11:53 AM (#1020809)
Subject: RE: Origins: Chi M'in Toman
From: Pied Piper

The tune I've heard associated with this song is Cutting Braken/Ferns
Here
TTFNPP

17 Sep 03 - 02:51 PM (#1020925)
Subject: RE: Origins: Chi M'in Toman
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

That's not the tune I am hearing. Hmmm. I wonder if the tune is the same only slowed up more than I'm used to.