(A Mhic Iarla 'Nam) Bratach Bàna

(The Son Of The Earl Of The) White Banner

Date:         Fri, 19 Jul 91 10:03:35 GMT
From:         [10]Michael Everson 
Subject:      Brilliant Scottish Gaelic album

Talitha Mackenzie and Martin Swan have an album called "Mouth Music",
which has exciting, vibrant, brilliant, terrific, amazing, and thrillingly
wonderful modern Scottish Gaelic songs on it. They're traditional tunes
and lyrics, but the arrangements are, well, some of the best NeoCeltic
arrangements I've heard.

In my enthusiasm, and despite the fact that I've often glossed over many
of the Scottish Gaelic messages on this list because Irish is challenging
enough for me at present (n'eo ket den ebet gant brezhoneg aman~ :-( ),
I'm going to post the texts for everyone's enjoyment and the archives.
The translations are given on the sleeve notes as here.

(A MHIC IARLA NAM) BRATACH BÀNA
(THE SON OF THE EARL OF THE) WHITE BANNERS
 
'Ic Iarla nam Bratach Bàna
'Ic Iarla nam Bratach Bàna
'Ic Iarla nam Bratach Bàna
Chunna' mi do long ar sàile
(I saw your longship on the sea)
 
Séist: Hi 'illean beag hó ill ó ro
Hi 'illean beag hó ill ó ro
Hi 'illean beag hó ill ó ro
Hù hoireann ó hu ó éileadh (Hù!!)
 
Chunna' mi do long ar sàile
Chunna' mi do long ar sàile
Chunna' mi do long ar sàile
Bha stiùir òir oirr' 's dà chrann airgid
(There was a helm of gold on her, and two silver masts)
 
Bha stiùir òir oirr' 's dà chrann airgid
Bha stiùir òir oirr' 's dà chrann airgid
Bha stiùir òir oirr' 's dà chrann airgid
'S cupaill de shìoda na Gaillmhinn
(And shrouds of Galway silk)
 
'S cupaill de shìoda na Gaillmhinn
'S cupaill de shìoda na Gaillmhinn
'S cupaill de shìoda na Gaillmhinn
Sìoda reamhar ruadh na Spàinne
(Rich red silk from Spain)
 
Sìoda reamhar ruadh na Spàinne
Sìoda reamhar ruadh na Spàinne
Sìoda reamhar ruadh na Spàinne
Cha b'ann an Glaschu a bha e
(It was not in Glasgow that it was (seen))
 
Cha b'ann an Glaschu a bha e
Cha b'ann an Glaschu a bha e
Cha b'ann an Glaschu a bha e
No 'n Dùn-Bheagain, 's beag o'n làr e
(Nor in Dunvegan, small and lowly)
 
No 'n Dùn-Bheagain, 's beag o'n làr e
No 'n Dùn-Bheagain, 's beag o'n làr e
No 'n Dùn-Bheagain, 's beag o'n làr e
No 'n Dùn-Tuilm nam bratach bàna!
(Nor in Duntulm of the white banners!)
 
(Some versions have Ach ann Dùn-Tuilm 'nam Bratach Bàna!) "From Calum Johnston (Barra), School of Scottish Studies recording : "Usually thought of as a 'waulking song', the performance here is as it have been on board a ship."
 
This album, from (C) 1990 is available from Triple Earth Records, 1-8 Whitfield Place, London W1P 5RW, tel (071) 388-2756, fax (071) 388-2756. I'm writing for their catalogue.
Michael Everson

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