1. |
Can ye Sew Cushions
03:16
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Can ye sew cushions, an can ye sew sheets?
Can ye sing balulow until the bairn sleeps?
Balulow lammie, Balulow lamb
Balulow lammie, ma bonnie wee one
Hee o wee o, what’ll I dae wi’ ye
Black’s the night, but Minnie’s here wi’ ye
Hee o wee o little for tae gie ye
Hee o wee o what’ll I dae wi’ ye?
I hung thy cradle on yon holly top,
An’ aye when the wind blew thy cradle did rock
Ye’re rockin’ fu’ sweetly on Minnie’s warm knee
Puir Daddy is rockin’ upon the cauld sea
Hush a bye bairnie, hush a bye dear
Does wee lammie ken that yer Daddy’s no here?
The wild wind is ravin’ thy minnies hairt’s sair,
The wild wind is ravin’, but ye dinna care
Can ye sew cushions, an can ye sew sheets?
Can ye sing balulow until the bairn sleeps?
Balulow lammie, Balulow dear
Balulow lammie, thy mammie is here
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2. |
Dean Bà Bà mo Leanabh
02:30
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Dean bà bà mo leanabh, dean cadal a rùin
'S a mhaduinn gu mochthrathadh dh'fhosgail thu sùil
Nuair bha eunlaith na doire ri coireal 's puirt ciùil
Bha thu'd mhagaran làir, a'sòrach nan glùn
Tha na blàithean is àillidh tha fàs air na tuim
A' bhuidheag 's a neòinean 's iad òrbhuidh cruinn
An canachan mòintich, is sòbhrag na coill'
Air dùnadh an sùilean roimh dhùbhradh na h-oidhch'
Nis dean-sa do chadal, a chagarain gràidh
'S gun robh Freasdal 'g ad stiùradh 's gach cùis agus càs
'S e mo mhiann is mo dhùrachd thu, rùin, a bhidh fàs
Mar gheug is i brùchdadh toradh dùbailt thar chàich
Translation:
Sleep my baby, sleep my dear
Very early in the morning you opened your eyes
When the birds in the trees were warbling and singing
You were crawling on the floor, wearing out your knees
The most beautiful flowers that grow in the fields
The buttercup and the daisy, round and golden yellow
The bog-cotton on the moor and the primroses in the wood
Have all closed their eyes before darkness falls
Now, you go to sleep, my little darling
And may God guide you in all you do
It is my desire that you, dear, may grow
Like a branch that produces twice the blossom of other branches
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3. |
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Da boatie sails an da boatie rowes,
Dey set dir sails an dey hail dir towes,
Hush-a-baa-baa, me peerie lamb,
De faider is comin awa fae fram.
Da sheep dey baa, an da craas dey craa,
Dey flap dir wings an dey flee awa,
Hush-a-baa-baa, me peerie flee,
Aald Daa'll be comin wi shalls ta dee.
Da burnie rins an da burnie rowes
Da lambs dey dance ower da hedder-knowes,
Hush-a-baa-baa, me treasure dear,
Dey'll naebody hurt thee whin Mam is near.
Da laverick lifts an he sings ta aa,
Da Winter comes wi da caald an snaa,
Hush-a-baa-baa, me peerie flooer,
Lang Willie is löin ahint da door.
Da mares dey böl an da kye comes hame,
We lay wis doon ida Gödie's name,
Hush-a-baa-baa, ma peerie ting,
He covers wis aa wi His holy wing.
Glossary:
Rowes - rows, this refers to the 19th century boats six-oared boats, which could be rowed as well as sailed
Hail dir towes - haul their tows, ie draw in their long lines of baited hooks, up to 5 miles long
Aald Daa - grandfather
Shalls - probably shawl to wrap the baby in, but could also be shells
Burnie - small stream
Hedder-knows - heather hillocks
Laverick - skylark
Caald an snaa - cold and snow
Lang Willie - Willie Winkie, sleep personified
Löin ahint da door - looking, or lurking, behind the door
Böl - fall asleep
Kye - cattle
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4. |
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Ho-bhàn, bà , mo leanabh,
Ho-bhn, cadalan, m' eudail;
Ho-bhàn, bà , mo leanabh.
Eudail mo chrìdh',
tha thu sgìth measg nam blàthan;
Neòinean is dìthean
shnìomh thu àlainn.
'S caoin tha do ghnùis bheag,
mhic dhiùlnaich nam blàran;
'S àlainn 'na shùil thu,
rùin, a màireach
Dùin-sa do shùilean,
a mhùirnean 's a ghràdhain;
Slàn biodh do dhùsgadh,
Rùn do mhàthar.
Translation:
Hovan, ba, my wee darling
Hovan, have a wee nap, my jewel,
Hovan, ba, my wee darling
Jewel of my heart, you are tired amongst the flowers
Daisies and marigolds (flower of the valley), you wove them beautifully
Your little face is tender, son of the hero of the battle fields
You are beautiful in his eye, dear, tomorrow
Close your eyes, cherished one, loved one
May your waking be healthy, Mummy's darling
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5. |
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Mo ghaol, mo ghràdh, is m’fheudail thu
M’ ionntas ùr is m‘ èibhneas thu
Mo mhacan àlainn ceutach thu
Chan fhiù mi fhèin bhith ‘d dhàil
Aleluia, aleluia, aleluia, aleluia
My love, my dear, my darling boy
My holy treasure and my joy
My radiant sun, my Lord of Lords
Let me be worthy now
Aleluia, aleluia, aleluia, aleluia
Asses sleep and oxen sigh
Safe within my arms you lie
Blessed am I to hold you near
And feel your beating heart
Aleluia, aleluia, aleluia, aleluia
Translation of verse 1:
My love, my dear, my treasure (are) you
My new treasure and my joy (are) you
My beautiful fair son (are) you
I am unworthy to be near you
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6. |
The Fairy Lullaby
04:46
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I left my baby lying there
Lying there, lying there
I left my baby lying there
When I went to gather blaeberries
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
I followed the track of the white swan
But I could not find my baby o
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
I followed the track of the red deer
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
I followed the track of the grey mare
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Fhuair mi lorg an dòbhran donn
Cha d'fhuair mi lorg mo chùbhrachain
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Fhuair mi lorg na lach' air an lòn
Cha d'fhuair mi lorg mo chùbhrachain
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Fhuair mi lorg na bà sa pholl
Cha d'fhuair mi lorg mo chùbhrachain
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Fhuair mi lorg a'cheò 'sa bheinn
Cha d'fhuair mi lorg mo chùbhrachain
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
I followed the track of the mist on the moor
And there I found my baby o
Ho bhan, ho bhan ....
There I found my baby o
Translation of Gaelic verses:
I found the track of the dunn otter
I didn't find a trace of my fragrant one
I found the track of the duck on the marshy ground
I didn't find a trace of my fragrant one
I found the track of the cow in the pool
I didn't find a trace of my fragrant one
I found the trail of the mist on the mountain
I didn't find a trace of my fragrant one
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7. |
Gille Beag o
01:37
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I was first introduced to this song by Alison Kinnaird, when learning it on the clarsach. I was drawn to the simplicity of the melody. It also appears in Margaret Fay Shaw's 'Folksongs and Folklore of South Uist'.
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8. |
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Tàladh Choinnich Òig
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Fail iù , fail eò , hi ù ho rò
Fail iù , fail eò , hillinn o ho
Ho hi ho rò , ho hi ibh ò
A Mhac Coinnich, na biodh gruaim ort
Cha do ghlac do mhàthair buarach
No plaide bhàn air a h-uachdar
Ach sioda dearg is stròl uaine
'S e Mac Coinnich fhuair an urram
A miosg na morbhairean uile
Cheannaicheadh e fìon Baile Lunnain
Each is dìollaid fo chuid ghillean
A Mhac Coinnich mhòir a Brathann
Mhic an t-seòid nach fhuiligeadh masladh
Cheannaicheadh tu fìon dha t'eachaibh
'S crùidhean dha'n òr a chur fo'n casan
Chan eil an Coinneach 'g ach leanabh
Cha do rànaig e aois a sheanar
Marbhaiche 'n fhèidh air na beannaibh
Is coillich dhuibh air bàrr nam meangan
Translation:
MacKenzie, do not be downcast
Your mother never handled a cow fetter
Or wore a white plaid
But red silk and green satin
MacKenzie has gained honour
Amongst all the lords
He would buy the wine of London
A horse and saddle for each of his servants
Great MacKenzie of Brahan
Son of the hero who would not endure contempt
You would buy wine for the horses
And put horseshoes of gold on their feet
Young Kenneth is nothing but a baby
He has not reached the age of his grandfather
Killer of the deer on the mountain peaks
And black cocks on the tops of the branches
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9. |
Dream Angus
03:53
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Dreams to sell, fine dreams to sell,
Angus is here wi’ dreams to sell o
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear
Can ye no hush yer weepin’
A’ the wee bairns are sleepin’
Birdies are nestling, an’ nestling’ the gither
But my bonnie bairn is waken yet
Dreams to sell, fine dreams to sell,
Angus is here wi’ dreams to sell o
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear
Hear the curlew cryin’ o
An’ the echoes dyin’ o
Even the birdies are cuddled up sleepin
But my bonnie bairn is weepin’ greetin’
Dreams to sell, fine dreams to sell,
Angus is here wi’ dreams to sell o
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear
Soon the lavrock sings his song
Welcoming the coming dawn
Lambies coorie doon the gither
Wi’ the yowies in the heather
Dreams to sell, fine dreams to sell,
Angus is here wi’ dreams to sell o
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear
Glossary:
Bairnie - child
Waken yet - still awake
Greetin’ - crying
Lavrock - song bird
Yowies - ewes
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10. |
Bidh Clann Ulaidh
03:41
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Bidh Clann Ulaidh, laoigh 's a lurain
Bidh Clann Ulaidh, air do bhanais
Bidh Clann Ulaidh, laoigh 's a lurain
Deanamh an danns' air do bhanais
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, bidh Clann a Rìgh
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, air do bhanais
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, seinnear a phìob
Olar am fìon air do bhanais
Bidh Clann Amhlaidh, nam fir ghreanmhor
Bidh Clann Amhlaidh, air do bhanais
Bidh Clann Amhlaidh, nam fir ghreanmhor
Deanamh an danns' air do bhanais
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, bidh Clann a Rìgh
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, air do bhanais
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, seinnear a phìob
Olar am fìon air do bhanais
Bidh Clann Choinnich, nam feachd soilleir
Bidh Clann Choinnich air do bhanais
Bidh Clann Choinnich, nam feachd soilleir
Deanamh an danns' air do bhanais
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, bidh Clann a Rìgh
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, air do bhanais
Bidh Clann a Rìgh, seinnear a phìob
Olar am fìon air do bhanais
Bidh Clann Dhomhnaill, tha cho neonach
Bidh Clann Dhomhnaill air do bhanais
Bidh Clann Dhomhnaill, tha cho neonach
Deanamh an danns' air do bhanais
Translation:
The children of Ulster, young bucks and pretty boys
The children of Ulster will be at your wedding
The children of Ulster, young bucks and pretty boys
Will be dancing at your wedding
The children of the king, the children of the king
The children of the king will be at your wedding
The children of the king singing (playing) the pipes
Drinking wine at your wedding
The children of MacAulay, lively, active men...
The children of MacKenzie, the shining host (army) ...
The children of Donald are so unusual ...
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11. |
Crodh an Tailleir
01:55
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O hi o ho crodh an tailleir
O hi o ho crodh an tailleir
O hi o ho crodh an tailleir
Siosar is meuran is snathad
Cha tuit iad an toll no feithe
Cha tuit iad an toll no feithe
Cha tuit iad an toll no feithe
Ma thuiteas gun tog e fhein iad
Tha mìle long air cuan Eirinn
Tha mìle long air cuan Eirinn
Tha mìle long air cuan Eirinn
'S truagh nach robh mi fhìn air te dhuibh
Translation:
O hee o ho, the tailor's cattle...
Scissors and fingers and needle
They won't fall into a hole or a bog (morass) ...
If they fall he can lift them himself
There is a thousand ships on the Irish sea ...
It's a pity I wasn't on one myself
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12. |
Da Fetlar Lullaby
02:22
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Husha-baa Mam's peerie flooer;
Sleep o sleep come ta dee shön.
Mam sall watch dee ooer be ooer
Till dy boannie sleep is döne.
Till dy boannie sleep is döne,
Till dy boannie sleep is döne,
Mam sall watch dee ooer be ooer
Till dy boannie sleep is döne.
Bide, da simmer days ir comin;
Dan we'll rin aboot da knows,
See da bees aa fleein, hummin,
Peerie lambs an muckle yowes,
Peerie lambs an muckle yowes,
Peerie lambs an muckle yowes,
See da bees aa fleein, hummin,
Peerie lambs an muckle yowes.
Noo dan! Here comes Willie Winkie,
Baetin, baetin on his drum;
Playin on his plinkie-plinkie;
Rest an slumber shön 'ill come.
Rest an slumber shön 'ill come,
Rest an slumber shön 'ill come,
Playin on his plinkie-plinkie;
Rest an slumber shön 'ill come.
Boannie - bonnie, lovely
Döne - done
Bide - wait
Muckle yowes - big ewes
Noo dan! - now then
Baetin - beating
Plinkie-plinkie - musical instrument, whistle
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13. |
The Miner's Lullaby
05:03
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Coorie doon, coorie doon, coorie doon, my darling
Coorie doon, my dear (repeat)
Coorie doon my dear an' in yer ear, while stars light up the sky,
I'll sing a song, a slumber song, a miner's lullaby
Coorie doon, coorie doon, coorie doon, my darling
Coorie doon, my dear (repeat)
Yer daddy's in the darkness darling, darkness, dust and damp,
So we may hie oor milk, oor meal, oor fire an' oor lamp
Coorie doon, coorie doon, coorie doon, my darling
Coorie doon, my dear (repeat)
Yer daddy's howkin' coal my darling, doon the Kirby main
Yer daddy's howkin' coal my darlin', for his ain wee wean
Coorie doon, coorie doon, coorie doon, my darling
Coorie doon, my dear (repeat)
Yer daddy coories doon my darling, doon in a three fit seam
So we may coorie doon my darling, coorie doon an' dream
Coorie doon, coorie doon, coorie doon, my darling
Coorie doon, my dear (repeat)
Coorie doon my dear an' in yer ear, while stars light up the sky,
I'll sing a song, a slumber song, a miner's lullaby
Coorie doon, coorie doon, coorie doon, my darling
Coorie doon, my dear (repeat)
Original version as it appears in The Scottish Folksinger, ascribed to Matt McGinn
Coorie doon, coorie doon, coorie doon ma daurlin', coorie doon the day (repeat)
Lie doon ma dear, and in your ear, tae help you close your eye
I'll sing a song, a slumber song, a miner's lullaby
Your daddy's doon the mine, ma daurlin', doon in the Curlby Main
Your daddy's howkin' coal ma daurlin', for his ain wee wean
Coorie doon, coorie doon, coorie doon ma daurlin', coorie doon the day (repeat)
There's darkness doon the mine ma daurlin', daurkness, dust and damp
But we must hae oor heat, oor light, oor fire and oor lamp
Your daddy coories doon, ma daurlin', doon in a three foot seam
So you can coorie doon, ma daurlin', coorie doon and dream
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14. |
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The Lord bless thee and keep thee
The Lord make His face to shine upon thee
And be gracious unto thee
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee
And give thee peace
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Christina Stewart Scotland, UK
A voice described as the aural equivalent of ‘sweet, organic honey drizzling slowly from a honey wand’ in Dirty Linen magazine. Christina is a singer, teacher, tradition bearer and musical explorer, singing in Gaelic, Scots and English. She belongs to Inverness, the Highland capital, where the Gaelic and Scots heritages of the north of Scotland meet. ... more
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