Siud mar chaidh an càl a dholaidh

Another fine example of Puirt a beul in the form of a strathspey sung here by Elisabeth Kaplan. And dig that bodhrán playing!

Siud mar chaidh an càl a dholaidh

Siud mar chaidh an càl a dholaidh
Laigh a mhìn air màs a choire
Siud mar chaidh an càl a dholaidh
Air na bodaich Ghallda.

Siud mar chaidh an càl a dhìth
Seo mar chaidh an càl a dhìth
Siud mar chaidh an càl a dhìth
Air Impire na Frainge.

Fear an Dùin Mhòir a mire ri Mòr
S fear an Dùin Mhòir is Mòr a mire ris
Fear an Dùin Mhòir a mire ri Mòr
Ach cò a nì mire ri Màiri?

Nam biodh agam giobal bodaich
Bhogainn às an allt e,
Nam biodh agam giobal bodaich
Bhogainn às an allt e,
Nam biodh agam giobal bodaich
Bhogainn às an allt e,
S mur biodh e glan nuair a bheirinn às e
Bhogainn rithist ann e.

Bhogainn e s gun togainn e
S gun bhogainn às an allt e,
Bhogainn e s gun togainn e
S gun bhogainn às an allt e,
Bhogainn e s gun togainn e
S gun bhogainn às an allt e,
S mur biodh e glan nuair a bheirinn às e
Bhogainn rithist ann e.

Translation

Thats how the cabbage was spoiled,
The flour lay at the bottom of the pot,
Thats how the cabbage was spoiled
By the old Lowland men.

Thats how the cabbage was ruined,
This is how the cabbage was ruined,
Thats how the cabbage was ruined
By the French Emperor.


The laird of Dunmore is frolicking with Marion
The laird of Dunmore and Marion are frolicking
The laird of Dunmore is frolicking with Marion
But who will frolic with Mary?


If I had a shabby old man,
Id steep him in the stream.
If I had a shabby old man,
Id steep him in the stream.
If I had a shabby old man,
Id steep him in the stream,
And if he werent clean when I took him out,
Id steep him again.

Id steep him and heave him out,
And steep him in the stream.
Id steep him and heave him out,
And steep him in the stream.
Id steep him and heave him out,
And steep him in the stream.
And if he werent clean when I took him out,
Id steep him again.

The Battle of Harlaw

And we’re back!

Here’s an old one from Scotland to get you going. It tells the story of the extremely bloody Battle of Harlaw (1411). There are many versions out there. This is from the Old Blind Dogs.

The Battle of Harlaw

As I cam’ in by Dunideer and doon by Nether Ha’
There were fifty thoosand’ heilan’ men a-marchin’ tae Harlaw

Chorus (after each verse):
Wi’ a diddy aye o’ an’ a fal an’ doe
And a diddy aye o’ aye ay

As I gaed on an’ farther on and doon an’ by Balquhain
Oh it’s there I saw Sir James the Rose and wi’ him John the Graeme

“It’s cam’ ye fae the Heilan’s man, cam’ ye a’ the wey?
Saw ye MacDonald and his men as they cam’ in fae Skye?”

“It’s I was near and near eneuch that I their numbers saw
There was fifty thoosan’ heilan’ men a-marchin’ tae Harlaw”

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Oran Dhomhnaill Phadraig Lagain

Another Gaelic song from Kathleen MacInness. This one a lament song for the sudden passing of a man named Donald Peter.

Oran Dhomhnaill Phadraig Lagain

‘S bochd an naidheachd a fhuair sinn
‘S a ghluais mi gu dàn
Dòmhnall Phàdraig, mo thruaighe
Thugadh bhuainn e le bàs
Cò aige bha dùil ris
‘S tu cho sùnndach ‘s cho slàn
Cha robh sinn a’ smaointinn
Gum biodh do shaoghal cho geàrr

Dh’fhàg thu bean agus pàistean
‘S iad a’ rànaich ‘s a’ caoidh
‘S goirt a’ bhuill’ ann an fhuair iad
‘S a ghuail ann an cridh
Cha tog fidheall no òran
Am bròn rinn an clì
‘S ged a bhiodh iad measg òigridh
Bidh gach sòlas gan dìth

Chì sinn tràghadh is lìonadh
Chì sinn ealtainn is sprèidh
Chì sinn gealach is grian
‘S reultan a’ lìonadh nan speur
Ach chan fhaic sinn gu sìorraidh
Coiseachd feur ann thu fhèin
Ach guidheam fois leat, a Chrìosdaidh
‘S beannachd Dhia ann leat fhèin

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