Sinnsear Seanachuimhneach
Beautiful Gaelic melodies such as this one by Julie Fowlis must have been sung about many a Clan Donald maiden whose love was on the high seas. A great deal about Gaelic (or Celtic) culture may be learned from just this one traditional song. The translation reveals that it was usually sung by a man who sings his admiration of a woman yearning for her love who is at sea. The lyrics go on about her tearful prayer her love would be protected at sea before the last verse in which the singer reveals himself as her love who has returned from the sea!
Upon reading the English translation my first reaction was that the sailor was lucky she didn’t know how inconsiderate he had been waiting to reveal himself. Then I tried to see it from the sailor’s point of view. What would be of most worth to a sailor away at sea? Knowing his love was faithfully waiting for his safe return. This becomes much more than just a beautiful melody if you picture the comfort a sailor would have from singing this song while at sea. The sailor is still fortunate she didn’t slap him when she discovered he had returned earlier!
Tha Mo Ghaol Air Àird A’ Chuain à “Cróga”
“My love is on the high seas” from the new Pixar movie “Brave”
Gàidhlig Lyrics: / / English Translation:
Feasgar ciùin an tùs a’ Chèitein On a quiet evening at the beginning of May
Nuair bha ‘n ialtag anns na speuran When the bat was in the skies
Chualaim rìbhinn òg ‘s i deurach I heard a tearful young maiden
‘Seinn fo sgàil nan geugan uain’ Singing beneath the shadow of the green branches
Bha a’ ghrian ‘sa chuan gu sìoladh The sun was setting in the sea
‘S reult cha d’ èirich anns an iarmailt And no stars yet graced the sky
Nuair a sheinn an òigh gu cianail When the young girl sang sorrowfully
“Tha mo ghaol air àird a’ chuain” “My love is on the high seas”
Thòisich dealt na h-oidhch’ ri tùirling The night’s dew began to fall
‘S lùb am braon gu caoin na flùrain Each bloom yielding softly to the droplets
Shèid a’ ghaoth ‘na h-oiteig chùbhraidh The wind blew in a fragrant breeze
Beatha ‘s ùrachd do gach cluan Bringing life and renewal to each field
Ghleus an nighneag fonn a h-òrain The girl tunefully sang her song
Sèimh is ciùin mar dhriùchd an Òg-mhìos Quiet and peaceful like the June dew
‘S bha an t-sèisd seo ‘g èirigh ‘n còmhnaidh And this chorus constantly repeated
“Tha mo ghaol air àird a’ chuain” “My love is on the high seas”
Chiar an latha is dheàrrs’ na reultan Day darkened and the stars shone
Sheòl an rè measg neul nan speuran Setting their course amongst the clouds
Shuidh an òigh, bha ‘bròn ‘ga lèireadh The maiden sat, burdened by her sadness
‘S cha robh dèigh air tàmh no suain Her singing could not have been more soothing
Theann mi faisg air reult nan òg-bhean I moved closer to the young woman
Sheinn mu ‘gaol air chuan ‘bha seòladh Singing of her love sailing on the sea
O bu bhinn a caoidhrean brònach Oh sweet was her sad lament
“Tha mo ghaol air àird a’ chuain” “My love is on the high seas”
Rinn an ceòl le deòin mo thàladh The music enticed me
Dlùth do rìbinn donn nam blàth-shul Nearer to the brown-haired maiden of the warm eyes
‘S i ag ùrnaigh ris an Àrd-Rìgh And she prayed to the King of Heaven
“Dìon mo ghràdh ‘th’ air àird a’ chuain” “Protect my love on the high seas”
Bha a cridh’ le gaol gu sgàineadh Her heart was breaking with love
Nuair a ghlac mi fhèin air làimh i When I took her by the hand
“Siab do dheòir, do ghaol tha sàbhailt ” Wipe your eyes, your love is safe
Thill mi slàn bhàrr àird a’ chuain ” I have returned to you from the high seas”
Several ancient Irish Annals that verify the Celtic ancestry of Somerled are now available at the Internet site for the School of Celtic Studies Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
Documentation Clan Donald is Celtic
Excerpts from the Annals of the Four Masters