We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

A’ Chnò Shamhna

from Tairm by WHɎTE

/
  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The hotly-anticipated second album from award-winning band WHɎTE, following the release of their “absorbing” debut album ‘Fairich’ in 2016 (fRoots).

    WHɎTE infuse Gaelic song – original and traditional – with the newest techniques in electronica.

    With an interpretation and direction described as being “important for Scottish music in general and Gaelic in particular” (Alun Woodward, Chemikal Underground Records), WHɎTE’s unique sound has been described as “achingly beautiful” (fRoots), “moody and alluring” (Songlines) and “wonderfully evocative” (Scots Whay Hae!).

    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).

    The album’s title, ‘Tairm’, is a Gaelic word which can be translated as ‘echo’ or ‘gathering summons’. ‘Tairm’ features a collection of original Gaelic songs, new arrangements of traditional Gaelic songs and instrumental works.

    The band represented Alba/Scotland with the first single from this second album, ‘Tairm’, at the Liet International 2018 XXL international new song competition in Friesland.

    ‘Cionran’, an original Gaelic song from the band’s debut album ‘Fairich’, received the 2017 Hands Up for Trad/Creative Scotland Nòs Ùr Songwriting Award.

    www.whytenoise.co.uk

    Includes unlimited streaming of Tairm via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 1 day

      £10 GBP or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

lyrics

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.

credits

from Tairm, released May 19, 2019

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

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

contact / help

Contact WHYTE

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like WHYTE, you may also like: