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Séist Tha mi sgìth 's mi leam fhìn, Buain na rainich, buain na rainich Tha mi sgìth 's mi leam fhìn, Buain na rainich daonnan 1 Cùl an tomain, braigh an tomain, Cùl an tomain, bhòidhich, Cùl an tomain, braigh an tomain, 'H-uile là a'm' onar 2 'S tric a bha mi fhìn 's mo leannan Anns a' ghleannan cheòthar, 'G éisdeachd còisir bhinn an doire Seinn 's a' choille chòmhail; 3 O na 'm faicinn thu a' tighinn, Ruithinn 'dhol 'nad chòdhail, Ach mur tig thu 'n seo 'gam shireadh, Ciamar thilleas dòchas? 4 Anns an t-sithean, o, gur sgìth mi; 'S tric mo chridh' 'ga leonadh, 'N uair bhios càch a' seinn nan luinneag Cha dean mis' ach crònan. 5 'S bochd nach robh mi leat a rithist, Sinn a bhitheadh ceòlmhór, Rachainn leat gu cùl na cruinne, Air bhàrr tuinne seòladh. 6 Ciod am feum dhomh bhi ri tuireadh? Dé ni tuireadh dhomhsa 'S mi cho fada o gach duine B'urrain tighinn 'gam chòmhnadh? |
Chorus I am tired, and I am alone, Cutting the Bracken, Cutting the bracken I am tired, and I am alone, Cutting the Bracken forever 1 Behind the knoll, up on the knoll, Behind the pretty knoll Behind the knoll, up on the knoll, All the day alone 2 Often, my love and I were In the nisty glens Listening to the sweet choir of the grove Singing in the forest 3 Oh, if I would see you coming I would run to meet you But if you will not come here at my pleading How would hope return? 4 In the weather, oh that I am TIRED Often my heart, wounded by her When the others would be singing ditties I can only make a croon 5 It is bad that I am not with you again We would be great music I would go with you to the other side of the world Sailing on top of the waves. 6 Why must I be mourning What will make a chant to me And I, so far from others, Would people be able to come help me? |
*Chorus second line alternate, Buain na rainich, bhoidheach*
The Rankins sing the Chorus, the first verse, the chorus, the fourth verse and then the chorus twice. Then they jump into He Mo Leannan
The legend is that, the fairy who sings the song, was in love with the young girl whom he met when she came out to cut the bracken. When her family caught her, they kept her locked up in their home. Since she didn't come any more, he became despondent and sang the song. It works quite well as a lullaby, and the sentiment of the song goes that way.
However, in Cape Breton at least, they've sped it up, so it's almost a dance piece. So goes the oral tradition. Anyway, the song was collected by Marjorie Kennedy-Fraser, but for some reason, only the chorus and first verse. Her Gaelic collaborator, Kenneth MacLeod, wrote the rest of the song that we have here.
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