1. |
Canto
03:19
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Fambles of the gajos
A dolly ecaf
Air gach aon
Darkmans luppers oilcay
To infiltrate
A drùdhadh air
Glymmer of the gajos
Dooey Delph of
Red and green
A billy doo in antcay
A lupper for
The patricos
Bòcan of the gajos
Inside a balbh-
rèidio
Eamscray of the damber,
Am mac-tìre, the gentry-cove
© Ross Whyte (2018)
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2. |
Tairm
05:10
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Tairm (‘Endling’)
glaodhadh, glaodhadh
sgaoil, sgaoil
taomadh, ag aomadh
sgaoil am brath sa, sgaoil
sgaoil am brath sa, sgaoil
ceilear; ceileir
èist rim òran, èist
ceilear, cèile
èigh nam chànain, èigh
èist ri m’ òran, èist
*****
cluinnibh am balbhan
an teachdaireachd nach ruig
a theachdaireachd nach tuig
’s e na aonar a’ glaodhadh
ag èigheach do chèile airson freagairt
freagairt a lèigheas
freagairt a ghlèidheas a ghnè
*****
gairm, a’ gairm
a’ gairm an seo leam fèin
’s chan eil èistear a thilleas èigheach
caithream, dèan caithream
till rium rann sa chainnt as grinn’
thoir dhomh mìr den cheòl a lèigheas
tairm, chan eil ann ach tairm
a’ seinn sa chànain bhinn
’s chan eil mith no maith a dh’èisteas
Tairm (‘Endling’)
crying, yelling
spread, disperse
pouring out, breaking down
spread this message, go
take this message, go
singing; sing
listen to my song, listen
hider, partner
call out in my language, call out
listen to my call, listen
*****
listen to the mute
the message which won’t reach
the message which can’t be understood
him alone, crying
calling out for someone with an answer
an answer to heal him
an answer to save him
*****
calling, calling
calling here alone
no listener to return my call
the joyful sound, make a joyful sound
send back a verse in the sweetest of languages
give me just a fragment of the music to cure me
a summons, only an echoing summons
singing in the melodious language
with no one, nothing to listen
© Alasdair MacIlleBhàin (2018)
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3. |
Casag
04:10
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Casag (‘Cassock’)
hi rì il ho ro bha
hi rì il ho rè
ho rì ill, hi rì ill
o hi rì il ho rè
ach a Mhurchaidh òig thàilleir
gu ma slàn bhios tu fhèin
rinn thu m’ aodach-sa chàradh
’s gheibh thu pàigheadh da rèir
rinn thu dhomhsa pòc-achlais
air casag an èisg
’s mi ri dìreadh a’ mhunaidh
’s mo ghunna fom sgèith
ged a shileadh an t-uisge
cha fhliuchar an gleus
cha bu mhios’ i air astar
gu faiche nan ceud
an Dun Èideann ’s an Glaschu
rìgh, gum b’ fhaicheil’ mo cheum
bha na h-uaislean a b’ àirde
’s bu stàiteile beus
tighinn a thogail a’ phàitrein
air an t-sràid as mo dhèidh
’s iad a’ feòraich cò an tàilleir
nach robh fàillinn na bheum
’s iad a’ feòraich cò an t-àite
às an tàinig mi fèin
thàinig mis’ às an eilein
far an leagte na fèidh
thàinig mise air thuras
mach à Muile nan geug
bho theaghlach Loch-buidhe
’s thug siud urram dhomh fèin
Casag (‘Cassock’)
hi rì il ho ro bha
hi rì il ho rè
ho rì ill, hi rì ill
o hi rì il ho rè
o, young Murchadh tailor
good health to you
you mended my clothes
and you’ll be paid accordingly
you put an inside breast-pocket
in the fish-skin cassock (coat)
and now I’m scaling the heights
with my gun under my arm
and even if it rains
the lock won’t get wet
her accuracy at distance won’t be compromised
aiming towards the meadow of hundreds
in Edinburgh and Glasgow
I was looking stately/trim
those of the highest ranks
and most self-important
were coming over to pick up the pattern
on the street behind me
and asking about the identity of the tailor
whose work was faultless
and asking about the place
from whence I came
I came from the island
where deer are felled
I came on a trip
from Mull of the branches
from the Lochbuie family
and that gave me respect/honour
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4. |
Ailein Duinn
07:14
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Ailein Duinn (‘O, brown-haired Ailean’)
gura mise th’ air mo lèireadh
chan e bàs a’ chruidh sa Chèitein
no tainead mo bhuaile sprèidhe
ach a fhlichead ’s tha do lèine
’s tu bhith ’m bàrr nan tonn ag èirigh
mucan mara bhith gad reubadh
bhith gad ghearradh às a chèile
*****
chuisil-ì chuisil-ò
*****
Ailein Duinn a laoigh mo chèilleadh
gura h-òg a thug mi spèis dhut
nuair a bha thu ’n sgoil na Beurla
nuair a bha sinn ann le chèile
-----
it is I who am distressed
not due to the death of cattle in early summer
or the thinness of my stock
but because of the wetness of your shirt
you having been on the crests of waves rising
whales having been ripping you apart
cutting you to pieces
*****
chuisil-ì chuisil-ò (whalesong – onomatopoeic)
*****
o, brown-haired Ailein, my darling
young I gave you my affection
when you were in the English school
when we were there together
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5. |
A' Chailleach
04:57
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A’ Chailleach (‘the Cailleach (old woman/hag)’)
Bha ann, o chian fhada ’n t-saoghail, cailleach mhòr, mhòr, a thàinig a-nuas à Lochlann.
There was once, long long ago, a great, great cailleach, who came down from Scandinavia.
Bha cliabh air a druim, agus slacan draoidheachd na làimh.
She had a basket on her back, and a magic wand in her hand.
Anns a’ chliabh, bha ùir is creagan, gu Albainn a dhèanamh.
In the basket, there was earth and rocks, to make Scotland.
Air an rathad a’ tighinn, thuit cuid den ùir ’s de na creagan san loch. ’S e sin a rinn na h-eileanan.
On her way here, some of the earth and the rocks fell into the loch. That’s what made the islands.
Bu nighean do Ghrianan a’ chailleach seo.
This cailleach was a daughter of Grianan (lit. ‘little sun’).
Cha robh ach an aon sùil ghlogach aice an clàr an aodainn; ach bha sealladh na sùla sin cho luath ri rionnach a’ chuain.
She only had one dull eye which was in her forehead; but the look in that eye was as quick as the ocean mackerel.
Bha neul a h-aodainn dubh-ghorm; agus bha fiaclan sgòrach ruadh na craos.
Her facial complexion was dark blue; and there were jagged red teeth in her gaping mouth.
Bha brèid air a ceann — mar a bhiodh air na mnathan o shean — ach an àite bhith geal ’s ann a bha e breac, ballach, ’s bha a ciabhan glasa mar chrithionn fo chrith-reodha, a sìos ma guailnean.
She wore a headdress — as the women of old did — but instead of being white it was spotty and speckled, and her grey locks were like an aspen under hoarfrost, down around her shoulders.
Cor uair bhiodh osain oirre, ’s cor uair mogain liatha; ach chan fhacas riamh i gun sùmag de phlaide odhar ma slinneinean.
Occasionally she would wear hose, and other times footless grey hose; but she was never seen without a dun blanket around her shoulders.
Bha treudan fhiadh aig a’ chaillich ; agus iomadh ealtainn de ghabhair is de chaoraich cho geal ris an t-sneachd. Shiùbhladh i leò thairis air mullach nan càrn, ’s a-nuas na slèibhte. B’ i a’ Chonathuil an clacharan thairis air am biodh na gabhair air an iomain a-nuas bho Chruachan, ach b’ ann a-nuas Gleann Nibheis a bu bhitheanta bha i ’g iomain nam fiadh.
The cailleach had herds of deer; and many a flock of goats and sheep as white as snow. She would travel with them over the mountain tops, and down the slopes. Connel was the stepping stones over which the goats would be driven down from Cruachan, but it was down Glen Nevis most often that she would drive the deer.
Bha treudan eile aice a-mach eadar na Torrainnean agus an Dubh-Irteach. ’S ann an sin a gheibhteadh na fèidh ag ionaltradh: cha robh raon eile cho fosgailteach ris gu ruith is mire gus am biodh iad seac sgìth.
She had other herds out between Torran Rocks and Dubh Artach. It was there the deer would be found grazing: there was no other plain as open as it on which they could run and frolic until they were fed up.
An uair a thigeadh an t-àm gus na gabhair a bhleoghan, ruitheadh iad nan treudan a-staigh do Uamh Bhuaile-nan-Drògh, aig Rudha na Caillich. B’ e ’n sealladh am faicinn, nan sreudan caoir-gheal, agus gaoir an t-sruth-bhleoghain ag èirigh gus na nèamhan.
When the time would come to milk the goats, they would flock in their herds inwards to Uamh Bhuaile-nan-Drògh (‘Fold-of-the-Droves Cave’) at Rubha na Caillich (‘Caliach Point’). It was some sight to see them in their incandescent herds and the loud, continuous sound of the milking-jet rising to the heavens.
An uair a dhèanadh a’ Chailleach sreothart aig Rudha na Caillich, chluinnteadh i an eilean Chola.
When the Cailleach sneezed at Rubha na Caillich (‘Caliach Point’), she would be heard in Coll.
*****
Cailleach mhòr an fhuarain àird
’S acfhuinneach i ’shiubhal chàrn
The great cailleach of the high spring
Well-equipped is she to traverse cairns
Nuair a bha ’mhuir na coill’ is na crìonaich
Bha mise an sin ’am nìonaig òig
When the sea was forest and brushwood
I was there as a young girl
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6. |
Mùthadh
04:31
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mùthadh (‘mutation / change / corruption / decay’)
mùthadh
am mùthadh th’ air tighinn air mo shnuadh-sa
mo ghruaidhean
mo ghruaidhean bha maiseach, grinn, guamach
is mo ghuaillnean
mo ghuaillnean bha tarbhach nis rùisgte
m’ fhèithean
m’ fhèithean bha diongalta, lùthmhor
mo chuislean
mo chuislean bha làidir is siùbhlach
’s mi bha urramach
nise nam dhilleachdan shuarach
sibhse, uaislean, a thuigeas mo chainnt
thigibh; dèanaibh fòir orm
sibhse, lèighean, a thogas mo chainnt
thigibh; thoiribh treòir dhomh
mùthadh
am mùthadh th’ air tighinn air mo thuar-sa
m’ uchd-sa
m’ uchd-sa tha lom agus duaichnidh
rinn sibh dì-luachadh
dh’fhàg sibh mi luasganach, luaineach
-----
mutation
the mutation which has changed my complexion
my cheeks
my cheeks which were once handsome, elegant, well-formed
and my shoulders
my shoulders, once productive, now stripped, bared, exposed
my sinews
my sinews which were strong, able, agile
my veins
my veins once potent and fluid
and I, I who was once respected
now abandoned, neglected
friends, those of you who understand me
come; assist me
friends, those of you who can heal me
come; guide me; invigorate me
mutation
the mutation which has corrupted my appearance
my bosom
my bosom denuded, disfigured, dismayed
you have devalued me
you have left me rocking, unstable, volatile
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7. |
Clìodhna
06:00
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Clìodhna (personal name)
càir
air fàire
gam thàladh
càir
air fàire
gam thàladh
le àraidheachd
gu tràigh
a sruthladh
nach diùltar
gam luasgadh, gam luasgadh
a sruthladh
nach diùltar
gam luasgadh, gam luasgadh
gam sguabadh, gam sguabadh
gu cuan, gu cuan
an rìbhinn
as ciataich’
as rìomhaiche brac
as brosgalaiche gàir
an tìr
tha ìseal
tha sgiamhach
tha Clìodhnach
tha breugach
tràighte
nam thàchdar
le sùigheag a shrùb
a dh’fhàg mi air tiùrr
rùid
mo rùid
-----
phosphorescence
on the horizon
enticing me
phosphorescence
on the horizon
enticing me
with peculiarity and singularity
to strand
her pull
irrefusable
rocking me, tossing me
her pull
irrefusable
rocking me, tossing me
sweeping me, sweeping me
to sea, to sea
the girl
most attractive
with the finest curve
most flattering and most fickle
the land
low-lying
elegant
belonging to Clìodhna
false
beached
as seaspoil
sucked in
then cast up
by a freak wave
my wave
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8. |
Èirich
03:36
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Èirich (‘ascend’)
an dùbhlan
an dragh
an teagamh
an t-iomagan
an imcheist
an duais
neo-fhoisneachd
mun èirigh
mun ruith
mun leum
mun togail
mun luach
bi dalma, dàna
bi sùimeil, spèiseil
bi moiteil, pongail
bi gnìomhach, buadhach
*****
bi dalma, dàna
bi sùimeil, spèiseil
bi dìleas, dòigheil
bi easgaidh, briathrach
bi moiteil, pongail
bi gnìomhach, buadhach
le siùbhlachd thig soirbheas is buaidh
an t-àm, an cothrom, an linn
le caidreabhas thig aithne is clì
-----
the challenge
the concern
the hesitation
the doubt
the dilemma
the reward
uneasiness
about the ascent
about the run-up
about the leap
about rising
about its worth
be bold, be intrepid
be attentive, be respectful
be proud, be articulate
be industrious, be influential
*****
be bold, be intrepid
be attentive, be respectful
be true, be ordered
be willing, be loquacious
be proud, be articulate
be industrious, be influential
with fluency comes success and sway
now is the time
with affinity comes knowledge, identity and strength
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9. |
Fidir
04:48
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Fidir (‘feel / experience / examine / explore’)
fidir mi
ceasnaich mi
caidir mi
dlùthaich rium
thig nam lùib
ionnsaich bhuam
sìn a-mach, sìn a-mach, sìn do làmh
cumaibh teann gun bhith call na tha an dàn
sìn a-mach, sìn a-mach is thoir cluas
ann am beartas nan tùs cuiribh luach
làmhaich mi
glac na tha sgrìobht’
beir air mo bhrìgh
na leig leam eug
na leig le luchd nam beum
labhair gu treun
-----
touch me
examine me
embrace me
come to me
come with me
learn from me
extend your hand
stay close and don’t forsake your destiny and song
extend your hand; listen to me
value the wealth of what you have
touch me
take what is written
seize what it is I have to give
don’t leave me to die
don’t let the haters win
speak up and speak out with defiance
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10. |
Clephane
04:38
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11. |
A’ Chnò Shamhna
04:42
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A’ Chnò Shamhna (‘the Hallowe’en nut’)
Thriall ur bunadh gu Phàro.
Cò as urrainn da sheanchas?
MacMhuirich, MacFhearghais.
Craobh a thuinich rè aimsir
fhreumhaich bun ann an Albainn;
chuidich fear dhiubh Cath Gairbheach;
fhuair sinn ulaidh fear d’ ainme theachd beò.
Cha chraobh chur is cha phlannta,
cha chnò an-uiridh on d’fhàs thu;
cha bhlàth chuirte mu Bhealltainn,
ach fàs duillich is meanglain,
am meur mullaich seo dh’fhàg sinn;
cuir a chrìost tuilleadh ’n àite na dh’fholbh.
Is mòr pudhar an ràith sa;
’s trom an dubhadh sa dh’fhàs oirnn;
gura cumhang leinn d’ fhàrdach
an ciste laighe nan clàran;
’s fhad’ is cuimhne leinn càradh nam bòrd.
Chaidh do chist’ an taigh geamhraidh:
cha do bhrist’ thu a’ chnò Shamhna;
misneachd fir Innse Gall thu;
’s mòr as misde do ranntaidh
nach do chlisg thu ro armailt;
fhir bu mhiosail an campa Mhontròis.
Nàile, chunna mi aimsir
’s tu ri siubhal na sealga;
cha bu chuing ort an garbhlach;
pìc den iubhar cha d’fhàs i
chuireadh umhail no spàirn ort;
cha bhiodh fuidheall à tàirrne
nam biodh luthadh na crannghail
chuireadh siubhal fo eàrr-it’ an eòin.
Gum bu mhath do dhìol freastail
an taigh mòr am beul feasgair:
uisge-beatha nam feadan
ann am pìosaibh ga leigeil,
sin is clàrsach ga spreigeadh ri ceòl.
Bhuineadh dhinne na ùr-ròs,
fear ar taighe ’s ar crùnair,
ghabh an rathad air thus bhuainn;
liuthad latha ra chunntais
bha aig maithibh do dhùthcha
meud an aighear ’s am mùirne;
bha mi tathaich do chùirte
seal mum b’ aithne dhomh ’n t-ùrlar a dh’fholbh.
-----
Your roots go back to Pharoah.
Who could narrate them?
MacMhuirich, MacFhearghais.
A tree which stood for a long time
and put down roots in Scotland;
one of them assisted at the Battle of Harlaw;
we got a treasure when you came into this world.
It was no seedling, no plantling,
no last year’s hazelnut that you grew from;
no flower planted last may-tide,
but a fully-fledged growth of foliage and twig
was this topmost branch who has left us;
o, Christ, send more to replace the one who has gone.
Great is the harm the present season has brought;
heavy this gloom which has come upon us;
narrow do we think your dwelling
in the wooden coffin;
long shall we remember the placing of the boards.
You went to your winter home:
you failed to break the Hallowe’en nut;
you fired the courage of the men of the Hebrides;
it was greatly to the detriment of your allies
that you never quailed before an army;
you were most respected in Montrose’s camp.
Indeed, I saw the time when,
as you went hunting,
the rough ground was no impediment to you;
no yew bow ever grew
which could cause you strain or effort;
it would be drawn back to the limit
if its timber had enough flexibility
to dispatch the bird’s tail-feather.
Well you entertained
in a big house of an evening:
whisky from the worms
being poured into goblets,
together with the harp being coaxed to music.
Taken from us, while still a fresh rose,
our master and prince;
he has taken the road ahead of us;
manys a day
the nobles of your domains had to reckon up
the fullness of their joy and happiness;
I was visiting your court
before I could walk the floor.
|
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12. |
Seòmar-cridhe
04:57
|
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|
Seòmar-cridhe (‘heart-chamber’)
an seòmar
dh’fhosgail thu an seòmar
ghabh thu steach don t-seòmar
is rug thu air mo chridh’
a’ bhuille
dh’fhairich mi do bhuille
dh’aonaich ar buille
ach shad thu bhuat do dhìls’
’s mi bha maol
mhealladh mi lem ghaol
mhealladh mi lem ghaol
an teine Samhna
is dà chnò a bha còmhla
losgadh bonn ri bonn
losgadh bonn ri bonn
do chnò-sa
a leum an dara taobh
na samhla air ar gaol
na samhla air ar gaol
*****
an gaol bha maoth
a dh’fhàs na chochall chaomh
a spiol thu le do thnùth
an gaol tha caoch
bha faoisgneach corrach faoin
à beàrnan thig mòr-bhrùchd
-----
the chamber
you opened the chamber
you burst in
and you grabbed my heart
the heartbeat / the blow
I felt your heartbeat and I felt you strike your blow
we beat in time
but you threw it all away
I was so naive
I was blinded by my love
blinded my love
in the Halloween hearth
the two nuts placed together
roasting side by side
roasting side by side
your nut
it sprang away from mine
a symbol of our love
a symbol of our love
*****
the love which was sweet
which ripened and grew in its tender cocoon
which you split with your envy / malice
the love which is empty and hollow
which was ripe, passionate, precarious and futile
from the smallest break comes the biggest outpour
|
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13. |
Siùd
06:18
|
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|
Siùd (‘rock to sleep’)
Siùd, siùd, siùd a leanabain mhaisich, mhaisich
Siùd, siùd, siùd; gum fanadh tu mar rium, mar rium
Siùd, siùd, siùd; ar saoghal neo-mhaireann, mhaireann
Siùd, siùd, siùd; ar beatha geàrr sealach, sealach
*****
Siùd, siùd, siùd a leanabain mhaisich, mhaisich
Siùd, siùd, siùd; ar saoghal neo-mhaireann, mhaireann
Siùd, siùd, siùd; gum faigh thu nas àill leat, àill leat
Siùd, siùd, siùd; gun toirear so-ghràdh dhuit, gràdh dhuit
-----
Rock to sleep, my beautiful baby
Rock to sleep; that you shall stay here with me
Rock to sleep; our transient world
Rock to sleep; our fleeting life together
*****
Rock to sleep, my beautiful baby
Rock to sleep; our transient world
Rock to sleep; that you shall have what you desire
Rock to sleep; that you shall be sincerely loved
|
||||
WHYTE Glasgow, UK
WHɎTE’s unique blend of electronica and Gaelic song has been winning them plaudits at home and abroad since the band’s
inception in 2016.
The duo comprises electronic composer, musician and Scottish Album of the Year-longlisted Ross Whyte (Aberdeenshire) and Gaelic singer, songwriter and twice-nominated Hands Up for Trad Gaelic Singer of the Year Alasdair C. Whyte (Isle of Mull).
... more
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