As Julie Fowlis puts it in the introduction to this video, sometimes it’s a beautiful melody that grabs you and sometimes is a great story. In the case of this song, it was both for me. I first heard it in a version called A Mhairead Og sung by the Scottish singer James Graham. Its a beautiful lament. If you’re impatient, the song beings about two minutes into this clip.
A Chatrion’ Òg
A Chatrion’ òg ‘s tu rinn mo leòn,
‘s tu dh’fhàg fo bhròn ‘s fo mhulad mi,
mi ‘n diugh ‘s an dè air cnoc leam fhèin
a’ sileadh dheur ‘s mi turraman.
Ach ‘s i mo mhàthair rinn an call
nuair chuir i shealg na tunnaig mi.
Nuair ràinig mi an linne chaol
‘s ann bha mo ghaol a’ sruladh innt’.
‘S e an gunna caol a rinn do leòn
‘s cha dèan mi òirleach tuilleadh leatha.
Ged thèid mi suas dhan bhail’ ud shuas
cha bhi mo chuairt ach diomain ann.
Ged thèid mi dhan taigh ud shìos
cha chuir Catrìona furan orm.
O Rìgh nan Dùl cùm rium mo chiall
Cha robh mi riamh cho cunnartach,
‘s a Chatrìon’ òg ‘s tu rinn mo leòn
‘S tu dh’fhàg fo bhròn ‘s fo mhulad mi.
Song of the Isles 