Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail

12 Mar 99 - 12:58 PM (#62653)
Subject: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: Cammie Mercer

I am looking for the song or poem "The Scattered Children of Kintail" about the children who left Kintail Scotland around the late 1700's I think. I was in Scotland in May 1998 and could not find any information other than there was an old song about all the children who left the area.

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12 Mar 99 - 01:57 PM (#62663)
Subject: RE: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: Philippa

There's a short book called "The clan MacRae: the scattered children of Kintail" by Donald MacRae
I don't know of a song by that title. Here's a song about Kintail, Dean Cadalan Samhach, as given at George Seto's website (http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Zone/6338/gael_sng.html). George sometimes frequents Mudcat and may offer further advice. This song has been recorded by Capercaillie and Ossian.

1 Dean cadalan s…mhach, a chuilean mo r—in,
dean fuireach mar tha thu, 's tu 'n dr…sd an …it —r;
bidh •igearan againn l…n beartais is cli—,
's ma bhios tu 'nad airidh, 's leat feareigin dhi—.

2 Gur h-ann an Americadh tha sinn an dr…sd
fo dhubhar na coille nach teirig gu br…th,
nuair dh'fhalbhas an d—ldach 's a thionndas am bl…ths
bidh cnothan is —bhlan is si—car a' f…s.

3 'S ro bheag orm fh‚in cuid de 'n t-sluagh a tha ann,
le 'n c•taichean drogaid 's ad mh¢r air an ceann,
le 'm briogaisean goirid 's iad sgoilte gu 'm buinn
cha n-fhaicear an t-osan, 's e bhochdainn sin leam.
4 Tha sinne 'nar n-Innseanach cinnteach gu le•ir
fo dhubhar nan craobh cha bhiodh aon againn be• -
coin-alluidh is b‚istean ag ‚igheach 's gach fr•ig
gum bheil sinn 'nar n-‚iginn bho 'n thr‚ig sinn Righ De•rs.

5 Mo shoraidh le f…ilte Chinn-t…ile nam b•
far an d' fhuair mi greis …rach 's mi 'm ph…isde beag •g;
bhiodh fleasgaichean donna air am bonnaibh ri ce•l,
is nionagan dualach, 's an gruaidh mar an r•s.

6 An toiseach an fhoghair bu chridheil ar sunnd,
gheibht' fiadh as an fhireach is bradan   grunnd,
bhiodh luingeas an sgadain a' tighinn fo shi—il
le 'n iasgairean tapaidh nach faicte fo mh—ig.

Translation:
1 Sleep peacefully, my dear little one,
live as you are, now in a new place;
there'll be young men amongst us who win great riches and reknown
and if you're a good girl one of them will be for you.

2 It's in America that we are now,
in the everlasting darkness of the woods
when winter is gone and warmth returns
the hazels and apples and maples will be growing.
3 I have an excessive dislike for some of the people round here
with their grotty coats and tall hats on their heads,
there narrow trousers split down to the bottom,
you can't see the socks, I reckon that's awful.

4 Now we're like Indians sure enough
in the dark of the trees not one of us would be alive -
wolves and wild beasts howling round every corner
we're in trouble since we forsook King George.

5 My farewell and greetings to cattle-rich Kintail
where I was brought up when I was a little young child;
there were brown-haired young men on their feet to sing
and beautiful long-haired girls with rosey cheeks.

6 At the beginning of autumn our joy was hearty,
deer were had from the hills and salmon from the depths,
the herring boats would be coming under sail
with the bold fishermen who were never seen to be unhappy.

*notes: Ri linn a cheud Tearlach thoisich iomadach Gaidheal ag iarraidh caithe-beatha £r ann an Ameireagadh. 'S e luchd-imrich m•r Ghaidhealach a bh'ann am muinntir Carolina-bho-thuath. Thainig Sasunnaich do'n roinn sin cuideachd, ach s'iad Gaidheil a bh'ann am m•r-chuid. 'S ann ri linn an tr. Se¢ras thoisich na Sasunaich a bhith lionmhor. Cha do ruig Gaidhealleas a bhith 'g iarraidh aobhar —r air son gun cuireadh e a mach le Sasunnach, ach faighteadh aobhar —r 'san am sin: bha na Sasunaich air son an ar-a-mach, b'ann air son an Righ bha na Gaidheil ann an Carolina. Lean daoine a tighinn bho Bhreatuinn, bho'n Albainn agus bho Shasuinn; thainig fear dhiubh, Iain Mac Murchaidh … Cinn-an-t-s ile, ann an 1774 agus an deidh beagan bliadhna rinn e an t laidh so.
Highlanders began to look in large numbers for a new life in America in the time of Charles the first. The population of North Carolina was a large Gaelic colony. Englishmen came to that territory too, but the majority were Gaels. It was about the time of George the third that the the English began to be numerous there. The Gaels didn't need any new excuse to fall out with the English, but they found one anyway then: the English were for the revolution, and the N. Carolina Gaels were for the King. People had continued to come from Britain, both Scots and English; one of them, John MacRae of Kintail, came in 1774 and a few years later he wrote this lullaby.
(incidentally, Gaelic survived in North Carolina well into the 20th century; but it's been extinct there for about 70 years now.)

Version 2 from Fergusson's "Beyond the Hebrides"
1 Dean cadalan s…mhach, a chuilean mo r—in,
Dean fuireach mar tha thu, 's tu 'n dr…sd an …it' —r;
Tha •ganaich againn l…n beairteais 'us muirn,
'S ma bhios tu 'nad aire, 's leat feareigin dhi—bh.

2 Gur th' ann an America tha sinn an dr…sd
Fo dhubhar na coille nach teirig gu br…th,
'N uair dh'fhalbhas an d—dlach 's a thionndas am bl…ths
Bidh cnothan is —bhlan is si—car a' f…s.

a 3 Tha sinne mar n-Innseanaich cinnteach gu le•ir,
Fo dhubhar nan craobh cha bhi aon againn be• -v Coin-alladh 'us bŠistean ag ‚igheach 's gach fr•ig
Tha sinne 'nar ‚iginn bho 'n thr‚ig sinn Righ De•rs.

4 Gur beag orm fh‚in cuid de na treud a tha ann,
Le 'n c•taichean sg…rlait 's ad mh¢r air an ceann,
Le 'm briogaisean fada dol seachad an gl쳌n,
Cha 'n fhaic sinn an t-osan, 's e bochdainn sin leinn.

5 Mo shoraidh an dr…sd gu Ceann-t-S…ile nam b•
Far 'n d' fhuair mi •g m'…rach 's 'nam ph…isde beag •g
Bhiodh •igearean sgoinneal air bhonnaibh ri ce•l,
'Us nighneagan dualach 's an gruaidh mar an r•s.

6 'N uair am foghar a stigh oirnn bhiodh sunnd,
Bheirt' fiadh as an fhireach 'us bradan as grunnd;
Na soithichean-sgadain a' tighinn dhachaidh fo shi—il
Le 'n •igearan sgairteil nach taiseadh ri sm—id.

Translation from the Fergusson (not literal) -
1 Sleep soundly, my darling, the love of my heart,
Stay sweet as you're sleeping at home in the wild;
The laddies who live here are tender and true
And if you'll be careful there'll be one for you.

2 It is in America that we are now,
In shadow of forests that stretch without end,
Whenever cold winter has turned into spring
The nuts and the apples and sugar will grow

3 We're wild as the Indians surely enough,
In woods that are gloomy there's none that will live,
With wolves and the wild beasts that howl from their dens,
We've been in great danger since leaving King George.

4 I care very little for those who are here
With coats that are scarlet and wearing high hats,
With breeches extending below ev'ry knee,
We can't see the tartan -- that's bad luck to us!

5 My greetings go out to Kintail of the cows,
Where I lived so happily when I was young,
Our heroes so stalwart then danced to the pipes
With curly-haired maidens with cheeks like the rose.

6 When autumn arrived there, they all would be gay,
A deer from the forest, and salmon from pools,
The herring boats heading home under full sail,
With young and strong seamen the spray does not daunt.

Version 3 - From Orain nan Gaidheil - Vol 3

S‚ist Dean cadalan s…mhach, a chuilean mo r—in,
Dean fuireach mar a tha thu, 's tu 'n dr sd an  it' £r;
Bidh •igearan againn l…n beartais is cli—,
'S ma bhios tu 'nad airidh, 's leat feareigin dhi—.

1 Gur h-ann an Ameirica tha sinn an dr…sd
Fo dhubhar na coille nach teirig gu br…th,
'N uair dh'fhalbhas an d—lachd 's a thionndainneas bl…ths
Bidh cnothan, bidh —bhlan, bidh si—car a' f…s.
2 'S ro bheag orm fh‚in cuid na duine seo th' ann,
Le 'n c•taichean dr•gaid, ad mh¢r air an ceann,
Le 'm briogseanan goirid 's iad sgoilte gu 'm bonn,
Cha 'n fhaicear an t-osan, 's e bhochdainn a th' ann.

3 Tha sinne 'nar n-Innseanaich cinnteach gu le•r,
Fo dhubhar nan craobh cha bhi h-aon againn be•
Madaidh-allaidh is bŠistean ag ‚igheach 's gach fr•g,
Gu bheil sinne 'nar n-‚iginn bho 'nthr‚ig sinn Righ De•rs.
4 Thoir mo shoraidh le f…ilte Chinn-t-S…ile nam b•
Far an d' fhuair mi greis …rach 's mi 'm ph…isde beag •g;
Bhiodh fleasganan donna air am bonnaibh ri ce•l,
Agus n쳌onagan dualach, 's an gruaidh mar an r•s.

Translation - Fairly reasonable
Chorus Sleep quietly my loved little one,
Stay as you are, you are now in the new place;
Young men will be with us abounding in riches and fame,
And if you are worthy, you will have one of them.

1 In America, we are now,
Under the shade of the endless forest;
When the winter goes, and warmth takes its place,
Nuts, apples and sugar will grow.

2 Little do I like these people that are here,
With their drugget coats and big hats on their heads,
With their short trousers split to the waist,
The hose is not to be seen, and it is a sorry plight that we are in

3 We are Indians to be sure,
Under the shade of the trees, none of us will survive;
Wolves and other beasts cry out in every corner,
We have been in dire straits since the day we forsook King George

4 Give my greetings with welcome to Kintail of the cattle
Where I was broght up when I was a little child;
Brown-haired youths would dance to music,
And girls with braided hair and cheeks like the rose.
^^

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12 Mar 99 - 01:59 PM (#62664)
Subject: RE: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: Philippa

The newsletter of the NZ-Aus Clann MacRae society has a list of songs and tunes, following titles:
Blar Na Parc (The Battle of Park [I think this refers to a land league struggle in Lewis, not Kintail],Theid sinn Dhachaidh do Chrodh Chinntaile (We will go back to the Croe of Kintail[I can get lyrics for this song if requested],Spaidsearachd Cloinn Mhic Rath (The MacRae's March), Cumha Dhonnachaidh Mhic Iain (Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament),Blar Shliabh ant' Siorra (The Battle of Sheriffmuir),F…ilte Loch Duich (Loch{Lake} Duich Salute, Cruinneachadh (The Gathering of the Clan MacRae 1911),Cumha sirson nan gaisgeach sin de Chlainn Mhic Rath a thuit anns a Chogadh Mor (Lament for the Clan MacRae Fell in the Great War)

Clann MacRae newsletter

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22 Jan 12 - 02:35 PM (#3294600)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: GUEST,Highlander

There is a song of that name which begins, "There are many many weary hearts,and feet are bleeding sore".................is that the one you heard before?

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22 Jan 12 - 02:37 PM (#3294603)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: Megan L

guest I doubt the original poster is even around these days but I would be intrested if you have the words

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23 Jan 12 - 12:18 PM (#3295024)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: GUEST,999

http://www.macrae.org/McRae_Family_ofArkansas.pdf

On pp 6-7 is the poem. Because it's pdf, I can't copy it. Meg has, I think, a slow connection, so if someone could dig it out for her that would be cool.

Many thanks.

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23 Jan 12 - 12:47 PM (#3295033)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)

The pdf is image scans I think - you'd still have to process it.

But there is a text version on the webpage here: Reeler Family Tree

Mick

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23 Jan 12 - 01:01 PM (#3295038)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: Megan L

Thank you both I have copied the words from the reeler site. The family history was interesting.

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23 Jan 12 - 03:12 PM (#3295083)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: GUEST,999

Thank you, Mick.

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23 Jun 15 - 10:16 AM (#3718473)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: GUEST,Cammie Mercer

Thank you all for your posts.

It has been 16 years since I first posted this request and I am surprised to see it around still. Through DNA I am connecting to many scattered McRae ancestors from around the world.

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12 Oct 16 - 05:37 PM (#3814289)
Subject: RE: Dean Cadalan Samhach
From: Felipa

this song is in the Mudcat Digital Tradition database -
It's a shame that the lyrics on this thread are missing vowels which have diacritical marks

I've just looked at an article which queries the attribution of Dean Cadalan Samhach to Iain MacMhurchaidh aka John MacRae, who emigrated from Kintail around the time of the American Revolution. https://www.academia.edu/12954975/Unsettling_Iain_mac_Mhurchaidh_s_slumber_The_Carolina_Lullaby_authorship_and_the_influence_of_print_media_on_Gaelic_oral_tradition

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12 Oct 16 - 05:48 PM (#3814291)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scattered Children of Kintail
From: Felipa

re Highlander's comment posted in 2012

THE SCATTERED CHILDREN OF KINTAIL

There are many,many weary hearts , and feet are bleeding sore,
But still our steps are further turned from Duich's lonley shore.
On a thousand plains our clansmen roam In exile's bitter pain,
And eyes are dim with longing tears to see Kintail again.

OH! often in our dreams we see
The day fade in the west,
And watch the glory lights of eve
Flash o'er Loch Duich's breast.
In a distant land we hear once more
The heron's wistful cry,
And live again a fleeting space
In days for ever by.

But a silence dwells upon our land and broods in every glen,
And never shall we gather round the ceilidh fires again.
The red deer sleeps in sheltered nooks,where homes were wont to be, And those who loved and laboured there are exiled o'er the sea.

Though our restless feet have wandered far, and severed wide we be, The children of a common stock, A clan till death are we,
Yet the hills we loved shall ne'er resound
Our slogans thrilling peal,
Nor catch the tumult of our march
Come throbbing down the Glen Shiel.

(Kenneth A Macrae.)

posted by Daniel MacRae of Glasgow at http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/adn/catherine-fairfax-macrae-condolences/109332?page=2

see also www.macrae.org/internet%20newsletter/sg3-1.pdf

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