Julie Fowlis has been getting a lot of press lately because of the use of her music in the Pixar film Brave. I was blown away by her second CD Cuilidh, and this song is the first track off that recording. Sometimes all you really need is some great mouth music.

Hùg air a’ Bhonaid Mhòir

Hùg air a’ bhonaid mhòir,
Cuiribh oirre ’s leigibh leatha;
Tuilleadh air a’ bhonaid eile,
Chan eil leth gu leòr oirre.

Bhonaid a bh’ aig Dòmhnall Bàn
Ann an Bothalam na tàmh,
Bha i uiread ris an spàrr,
B’ àird’ i na lòban.

Celebrate the great bonnet!
Celebrate the great bonnet!
Add to it, leave it alone.
More on the other bonnet.
There’s not half enough on it.

Donald Ban’s bonnet
is to be found in Bothalam.
It was as high as the roof joist,
higher than the corn-stack frame.

Da Thàbh air an Fharaidh,
Da thàbh air an fharaidh,
Tha rud shìos anns a’ charaidh;
Da thàbh air an fharaidh,
Tha rud aig an fhaoileig.

Ged tha mi gun rud agam,
Tha rud shios anns a’ charaidh;
Ged tha mi gun rud agam,
Tha rud aig an fhaoileig.

Two Spoon Nets in the Loft
Two spoon nets in the loft,
There’s something in the fish-trap;
Two spoon-nets in the loft,
The seagull has a catch.

Although I’m empty-handed,
There’s something in the fish trap;
Although I’m empty handed,
The seagull has a catch.

lyrics/translations from juliefowlis.com