Gaelic Waulking Song Group
A song dating from the seventeenth century or even earlier - some think it is in praise of the Allan of Clanranald who died in the early 1590s. It gives a wonderfully vivid picture of life, perhaps in Castle Tioram in Moidart, or Borve in Benbecula, where
�the old men look like young men;
the old women look like young girls�
We are thinking of relocating!
HAO R� RI R� RI � BHO
�S e m� eudail mh�r Mac �ic Ailein My beloved is Clanranald
HI� O HO HAO RI RI
H� HO HAO RI RI HI� O R� HO
�S e m� eudail mh�r Mac �ic Ailein
HAO R� RI R� RI � BHO
Dhomhsa b� aithne beus do bhaile: I know the custom of your house:
Martfhe�il �ga bruich, crodh �ga feannadh Beef being cooked, cattle being flayed,
Bacastair a�bruich an arain A baker making bread,
Gr�dairean a�leigeil leanna Brewers drawing off ale,
Maighdeannan a�fuaigheal anairt Maidens sewing linen,
�S a� cur an t-s�od� air am ballaibh Putting silk on their garments,
Air an guaillean �s air an eangaibh On their shoulders and their sleeves;
Fiamh an duin� �ig air an t-sean-duin� The old men look like young men,
Fiamh na maighdin air a� chaillich. The old women look like young girls.
Dhomhsa b� aithne beus do bhaile: know the custom of your house:
Chan e be�ir a n� thu cheannach It is not beer that you buy,
Fuaim an fh�on a�dol �sa� channa (But we hear) wine being poured,
Branndaidh chruaidh a nuas � Gallaibh. Strong brandy down from Caithness.
�S e m� eudail mh�r Mac �ic Ailein My beloved is Clanranald,
P�iteir an fh�on �san taigh-leanna A drinker of wine in the ale-house.
�S mar dh��ladh c�ch, ph�igheadh Ailean. Whatever the rest would drink,
Allan would pay.