The Sweet Sorrow – An Arthurian Ballad IV

The last instalment of the famous Arthurian ballad Am Bròn Binn (‘The Sweet Sorrow’) was taken down from Maighread Dhòmhnallach, or Margaret MacDonald, from Malacleit, North Uist. In contrast to the other two versions already given, this seems to be a rendition of the perhaps more familiar ballad rather than a waulking song. Carmichael appends a note to this version saying just that but also lamenting the fact that his busy work schedule prevented him from transcribing any more versions of it. Perhaps this could be described as a blessing in disguise?

Bho, Mai’read (Maireirad) Dhomhnullach (“Mai’read nighean Aonais duinn?” Geari Iain Malachit, 10th Feb., 1870, Aois 83.

Noiche chai Arstar nan sluagh
Go tulach nan ruadh, nam buadh a shealg
Chunnagas a teurnadh o’n mhaogh
Gruagach a bailli cruth no ghrian’
’S cruit an laimh na h-ighinn oig
’S milis pog ’s as geal gne
’S co binn ’s ga na sheinn i chuirt
’S binne na purist a leig i leo
’S ann le fuaim a teudun binn
A chaidil an Righ na throm seimh. . . .
Mu’n ghruagach a sheinn an ceol
Nach faca i beo no mairbh
Thuirst Righ Sola ri Righ Fial. . . .
Le ’m long bhriagh bhreid gheal bhain.
Far an ga ’adh mo long gu tir
Chunnagas an oiteal dhe ’n chuan
Clach fhuar a fioclairean gorm. . . .
Far am bu lionar cuach agus cuirn
An aisighalla (? Bha Sior Ghallabha) na bhun
’S bha slaurai dhugh as a nuas
Sin an t-slaurai nach do gha crith
’S thog i casan na ruith suas
Bheil fear na creaige so slan
An d’ idir e cas no truas?
Cuis is fhaide liom nach lig
No corag dhianainn ris gu luath. . . .
Cuiremid ani thu sin. . . . .
Cha loisg teine e ’s cha dearg arm eir an fhear
Ach a chlai geur geala-ghlan fhein.
Goid thus an clai dhe ’n fhear
’S ann a bheir thu dheth an ceann
’S carpet sioda fo da bhonn
’S na bheannaich a Ni thu fhir (i.e., Ni-math)
’S trom an cion thug thu eir tuinn
Chunnagas an deigh ti’nn o’n mhuir
Oganach eir ghuin le airm
Bha spuir eil eir a chois dheis
’S bu leoir a dheiseac ’sa dhealbh
’S bha spuir eir eir a chois chli
Do dh-airgiod righ no dh-or feall
Thug mi leum a chum na spuir
De ma thug cha bu mhath a chiall
Thug easun glacadh eir arm
’S e ’m fear marbh a bhi na niall (vicinity)
’S ann agam a nist tha bhean
Is deirge leac
Na ’S ann fotham a bhios an t-each
Is luaith a chuir a chas eir feill (? feur)
’S ann mu ’m chois a bhios an cu
Is luath a chuir a shuil an sealg.
Sann liom dh-falbhas an long,
Is luaith a chuireadh tonn as a deigh,
Marcrac na fairge gu dian,
Falaireac+ an droim a chuain
Bhan ’n triuir braithse mu cheann na mne
Sin mar a mharcraich mi n t-each
Bu luaithe ’s bu reacar ceum
Nach ruig sibh Corra-ri-clach
Far am fuigh sibh beac mo sgeul,
Gu sli’un nam briara cearst
Far nach ga’tar cearst truas
Siod a cheist a chuirinn orst.
Brath do shloine no co d ainm,
Mis an currai nach do gha cosg,
Achiad mhac a bh aig Righ Fraing,
Liom a thiuteas clann Rig Greuig,
O mharbh ’ad fhein an treas fear,
Mus mail leat mise thorist leat
Treachaid leac chlann Righ Greuig,
Sin ’nuair a threachaid mi ’n leac,
Gle fharsuin mar b’ail le ’fein
Cladhaich an uaigh as a dil.
O si obair fir gu’n cheil,
Thug ise leum as an lic,
’S i bhean ghlic bu ro-ghlan snua.
’S leum an t-anam as a corp
Ochadan a noc gur truagh,
Nam biodh agams an sing leigh,
Gu’n cuirinn e fu feum san uair
Dhianainn t-abheothachadh triuir,
Cha ’n fhagainn ma run sna uaigh,
’S i nighean Righ Cholla ghrinn (2),
A chinnich leinn ’s bu mhor am beud
Mis an currai nach do gha cosg,
A chiad mhac a bh’ aig Righ Fraing (1),
Sin deire mo sgeoil,
S mar a sheinn ’ad am Bron Binn.

Note.—This seems to me a veritable Arthurian ballad, and, like other precious gems, ought, I think, to be prized for its rarity. But, I think, it has also the merit of being good besides being rare. There are several other versions, snatches, and expressions, which I would have transcribed had I time. But I am very busy just now, although with work less congenial than this.


The version with the chorus is sung by women while pulling cloth; the other is sung by men. These two versions seem to me to differ so considerably as to look like two separate ballads upon the same subject, rather than two separate versions of the same ballad.
1. Righ Fraing. Which is meant, King Francis or the Ling of France?—the last, I think.
2. Righ Cholla Ghrinn—King Colla.
Old King Coll was a jolly old soul,
Neither read nor write could he;
For to read or to write he thought useless quite,
For he kept a secretarie.—Old Song.


References:
Campbell, J. F., ‘Am Bron Binn’, The Highlander, no. 148 (11 Mar. 1876), p. 3.
Carmichael, Alexander, ‘Na h-Iollaireann’, The Highlander, no. 148 (18 Mar., 1876), p. 3, cc. 1–3.
Carmichael, Alexander, ‘Na h-Iollaireann’, Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, vol. IX (1879–1880), pp. 67–74.
Carmina Gadelica, v, pp. 86–105.
Gillies, William, ‘Arthur in Gaelic Tradition. Part I: Folktales and Ballads’, Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies, vol. 2 (Winter, 1981), pp. 47–72; ‘Arthur in Gaelic Tradition. Part II: Romances and Learned Lore’, Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies, vol. 3 (Summer, 1982), pp. 41–75.
Gowans, Linda, Am Bròn Binn: An Arthurian Ballad in Scottish Gaelic (Eastbourne: privately printed, 1992).
Image: King Arthur

The Sweet Sorrow – An Arthurian Ballad III

The next instalment of the famous Arthurian ballad Am Bròn Binn (‘The Sweet Sorrow’) provides some background material by way of a short but revealing song narrative. This, the second waulking song of the three versions contributed to The Highlander, was collected by Alexander Carmichael from Fionnaghal MacLeod, or Fionnaghal nic Chaluim, a cottar from Baleshare, North Uist on 23 March 1869. Again this version of the ballad was later republished by Carmichael in the Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, vol. IX (1879–1880), pp. 69–71.

Bho Fionnaghal Nic Leoid (“Fionnaghal ni Chalum”) coitear, Bailesear Uist Tua, 23 Marst, 1869—Aois 67.

“Gu de bh’ ann a ghrai, ach ban-drui-ear bho chionn fhad an t-saoghal, agus ghabh i gaol eir oganach eireacail uasal. Agus de ach a thainig i thun an righ na chadal agus bha i comhradh ’sa conaltradh ris fad na h-oiche. Dh-innis an Righ ann a mhaduin an t-ailleagan mna chum nan saoghal mu ’n is ghrian gu m faiceadh rist eir a toir agus nach tilleadh e gus am faigheadh e i ga d a ruigeadh e cul an t-saoghail. Dh-falbh e ’s bha e bliannaichean eir falbh eir a toir (seac raitheann, says her ballad), agus chunaig e sin teach, taigh, mar a thuigeas sibh, ann an aigeal a chuain’. ‘Ann an aigeal a chuain!’ ‘Ann an aigeal a chuain a ghrai! Ho! nach robh na bana-bhuitsichean ’s na ban-druiearun ’ad coma cait am bithead ’ad—bu choingeis leo muir no tir. Dhianadh ’ad taigh mar an fhaoileag stala ’s aird an t-Ioirst. ’S ann a sin a bha ’n caisteal ann an meadhon a chuain lan innsridh oir us airgid, strolta an t-sioda fodha ’us fo ’s a chionn, agus am boirionnach a sheinn an ceol dhan Righ na suidhe ann an ‘seur’ (chair) (cathair) oir agus streafon (carpet) sioda fo’ casun; slauraidhnean lionneneach oir ’us airgid eir chonaibh agus sleughann agus clai’nean caola cruadhach fionntrain (bronze) ri fraoithibh (walls).”

A Dhun-duigh sin, sa Dhun-duigh!
Iollair o’ na arach o,
A ghrian aluinn fad o’n mhuir
Iollairean us o ro i.
Ga (fo!) moch a ghoireas a chuach
Eir a bhuachaille Dhun-duigh.
La chai Arstar mac Righ nan sluagh
Iollair u’an orach o
Iollairean us oro i.


Eir tulach nam buadh, nan ruadh, a shealg,
Chunnacas a ti’un o’n mhuir,
Gruagach a b’ ailli cruth no ghrian.
Cruit an laimh na h-inibhin oig
Is milis pog ’s is geal deud
Aig fheothas ’s a sheinn i chruit
Gu’n thuit an righ na shuain seimh,
Co math ’s ga na sheinn i chruit
B’ fhearr na purist a thug i le.
Nuair dhuisg an Righ as a shuain
(Ochadan! an cadal truagh)
Bha ghruagach a sheinn an ceol
Gu’n fhios co e ’beo na ’marbh.
La’uir Fios Falaich gu fial
Theid mi fhein gu h-iarrai dhuit
Mi fhi ’mo ghille ’s mo chu
An truir a shire na mne.
Ghluais e fhe le ghille ’s le chu
Gu long ur a bhreid ghil bhain
Bha i seac raithean air muir
Mum facas ’ad fearunn no fonn
No ait an ga ’adh an long tamh
Chunnaig ad an aigeal a chuain
Caisteal buir’each min’gheal gorm
’Nam bhi tearnadh gu bhun
Thainig slaurai dhugh a nuas
Eagal cha d’ gha e no crith
Gabh e orra na ruith suas.
Bha ghruagach a sheinn an ceol
An cathair an or is taigh
Streafon an t-sioda fo bonn
Bheannaich Dia thu fhir
’S mor an cion thug thu thor tuinn
Chul nan cleac bu gheal a snuagh
Bha cu (an) taca ri eir eil
Eir a dhiana le sheuda buadh
Bha spuir oir eir a chois dheis
’S bha spuir eile eir a’ chois chli,
Bha spuir eile air a chois chli
A dh-airgiod righ ’sa dh-or feall
Dianamid suidhe ’s traoghamid fearg
S cuiremid cealg mu’n fhear mhor
Ciamar a ni thu sin
Ged bu tu laoch is fearr fo’n ghrein
’S nach loisg tein eir ’s mach dearg arm
Ach a chlai fo ’shlios
Ghoid ad an clai fo ’shlios
Bhoin ’ad dheth gu’n fhios ann ceann.
Ma’s math leat mis a bhuin leat
Innis dhomh beac co thu fein
’S mi Boine Bo’each nam flath
Chead mhac a bh’ aig Righ Fraing,
Ma’s math leat mis a bhuin leat
Treachaid leac a mhac Righ Greuig
Cladhaich an uaigh as a til (as an dil)*
’S bi siod obair fir gu’n cheil
Thug ise dudar leum dha’n lic
’S dh’ falbh an t-anam na ceo a (aiste?)

References:

Campbell, J. F., ‘Am Bron Binn’, The Highlander, no. 148 (11 Mar. 1876), p. 3.

Carmichael, Alexander, ‘Na h-Iollaireann’, The Highlander, no. 148 (18 Mar., 1876), p. 3, cc. 1–3.

Carmichael, Alexander, ‘Na h-Iollaireann’, Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, vol. IX (1879–1880), pp. 67–74.

Carmina Gadelica, v, pp. 86–105.

Gillies, William, ‘Arthur in Gaelic Tradition. Part I: Folktales and Ballads’, Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies, vol. 2 (Winter, 1981), pp. 47–72; ‘Arthur in Gaelic Tradition. Part II: Romances and Learned Lore’, Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies, vol. 3 (Summer, 1982), pp. 41–75.

Gowans, Linda, Am Bròn Binn: An Arthurian Ballad in Scottish Gaelic (Eastbourne: privately printed, 1992).

Image: King Arthur

The Sweet Sorrow – An Arthurian Ballad II

A theme touched upon a few months ago was the famous Arthurian ballad Am Bròn Binn (‘The Sweet Sorrow’), of which two Gaelic versions were given. This ballad seems to have held a particular fascination for Alexander Carmichael as he contributed an article, giving another three versions of it, to the Inverness-based newspaper The Highlander. It came in the wake of the article already referred to in the previous blog which was contributed by John Francis Campbell but with material supplied by Carmichael. The first version given here appears in the form of a waulking song and was collected from Mary MacLellan (née MacDonald), the wife of Alexander MacLellan, a crofter in Tigharry in North Uist. This version of this ballad was later republished in the Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, vol. IX (1879–1880), pp. 68–69; and also an extra piece of information is contained in Carmina Gadelica, ii, where a note is given whereby the reciter is said to have heard the ballad from Fionnghal nighean Eóghain, Hoghearraidh [North Uist], who died in 1860, aged 80 years.

Bho Mhairi Nic an Liallain (nee Donullach) bean Alastair ’ic an Liallain craoitear Taighearaidh Uiste Tuath, 22d Oct., 1868.—Aois 44.

(Oran luadhaidh)
Iollairean us o ro i
An t-aobhar mu n taine mi steach
Iollair o’an orach o.
Ni mi e mu’ n teid mi mach,
Iollairean us o roi,
La chai Astar na’n sluagh,
Iollair orach o’an o ro.

Gu tulach na’m buadh a shealg,
Chunnacas a tighinn o’n mhuir,
Gruagach is ailli cruth fo’n ghrein,
Cruit an laimh na h-ineghil uir,
Ga glan a gnuis ’s ro-maith gne,
Aig feothas dha na sheinn i ’n ceol,
Gu’n thuit an Righ le (a) suain,
Nuair a dhuisg e as a shuain
Thug e lamh gu luath eir arm.
A bhean sin a sheinn an ceol,
Nach facas a beo no ’marbh
Dh-imich e fhe ’sa ghille sa chu,
Eir luing uir a bhreid-ghil bhain,
Far sheac seacuineann ’as tri mios,
Bha thu sgath ri siubha cuain,
Mu n d-fuair thu cala no fonn,
Anns an ga’adh an long tamh.
Chunnacas an iomal a chuain
Caisteal min-gheal buidheach (i.e., boidheach) gorm
Uinneagan glain eir a stuaigh,
Bu lionar ann cuach us corn.
’Sa ghruagach a sheinn an ceol,
An cathair an or is taigh,
Strefon sioda fo da bhonn
Bheannaich mise ga gnuis ghil.
’Sann agam fhein a bha ’n long,
Is luaith a chuir tonn a deigh,
’Sann agam fhein a bha’n cu
Is luaith a chuir a shuil a (n) seilg
Sann agam fhien a bha n t-each
Is luaith a chuir a chas eir feur
’S ann agam fhein a bha bhean
Is deirge leac ’s is gile deud,
Na bheannaich thu bria’ras fhir
Stuagh an cion thug thu thar tuinn
Eir a-laimhsa a ni bhan
Is coma liom do ghradh is d-fuath
Dianamid bruithinn us traoghamid fearg
Us cuiremid cealg mu n fhear mhor
Gu deamar a ni thu sin
S nach thu laoch is fear fo’n ghrein
Cha lais teine, ’s cha dearg arm eir an fhear
Ach a chlai geur glan fhein
Gun ghoid mi n clai bho shlios
Thug mi dheth gu’n fhiosd an ceann
Ogain ors ise thainig o (n) lear
O’ sann leat a chuireadh an t-euc—
Innis eir thoiseach do sgeul
Co thu fein no de d’ ainm.
Mise Boine Boidheach na’m flath,
Agam a tha teac do sgeul
Ma’s ail leat mis bhi leat,
Treachaid leac a (do) mhac Righ Greuig,
Treachaid leac eir ailios mne
Be siod obair fir gu’n cheil,
Gu’n ghearr ileum as (anns) an lic,
A bhean ghlic bu ro-ghlan anuagh.
A Dhun-duigh sin sa Dhun-duigh,
A Ghrianain aluinn fad o’n mhuir,
Gur moch a ghoireas a chuach,
Eir a ghualinsa Dhun-duigh,
Sin agaibh deire mo sgeuil.
S mar a chuala mi o thus.

References:

Campbell, J. F., ‘Am Bron Binn’, The Highlander, no. 148 (11 Mar. 1876), p. 3.

Carmichael, Alexander, ‘Na h-Iollaireann’, The Highlander, no. 148 (18 Mar., 1876), p. 3, cc. 1–3.

Carmichael, Alexander, ‘Na h-Iollaireann’, Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, vol. IX (1879–1880), pp. 67–74.

Carmina Gadelica, v, pp. 86–105.

Gillies, William, ‘Arthur in Gaelic Tradition. Part I: Folktales and Ballads’, Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies, vol. 2 (Winter, 1981), pp. 47–72; ‘Arthur in Gaelic Tradition. Part II: Romances and Learned Lore’, Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies, vol. 3 (Summer, 1982), pp. 41–75.

Gowans, Linda, Am Bròn Binn: An Arthurian Ballad in Scottish Gaelic (Eastbourne: privately printed, 1992).

Image: King Arthur

Early Sunday - Newspaper Letter

As with other collectors of oral traditions as well as scholars, Alexander Carmichael occasionally contributed pieces to The Highlander newspaper, founded by his friend and fellow Argyllshire Gael John Murdoch. Although Carmichael could in no way be described as a regular contributor to this newspaper, or any other newspaper for that matter, what he did publish was usually not without interest and was more often than not supplied with extensive background notes such as the one below concerning a song entitled ‘Mochra Domhnach’ or ‘Early Sunday’:

MOCHRA DOMHNACH
STRATHAVON, OBAN, 31st May, 1880

SIR, – The following poem, with music, was sent to the late Captain Donald Campbell when writing his book on the “Language, Poetry and Music of the Highland Clans.” It was not used, however – Captain Campbell having been able to publish but a small portion of the materials received from numerous friends and correspondents. This was a pity. Had he omitted things he inserted and given more of the music and lyric poetry, his book would, to my thinking, have been better.

Captain Campbell appointed his friend, new editor of The Highlander, his literary executor. It would be desirable that these poems should be published.

Of these there must be many. Of many Gaelic songs, with music, which, through the courtesy of friends, I had been able to send him, Captain Campbell was unable, from want of space, to give but one – “Buain an Rainich” – Cutting the Bracken. Other friends sent him similarly, and their contributions had to be similarly curtailed, if not altogether omitted.

Captain Campbell’s papers are still, I apprehend, in the house of his only surviving child – Mrs Brunton, Glasgow. The following will please most readers of The Highlander, as it pleased me. Upon one occasion Mrs Brunton found herself at a fashionable party where Highland music was spoken of with contumely. Her Highland blood was fairly roused: she whispered to her hostess, who, alone, knew that she was Highland, to ask her to sing, but to make no mention of Gaelic.

Mrs Brunton inherits, though, perhaps, not to so high a degree as her last sister – Mrs Lang, Port Glasgow – the fine musical ability of her father; and she sang, as she never sang before, the beautiful air of “Tir [recte Tri] nithe thig gu ’n iarraidh.” She held her audience spell-bound, and, when she was done, many of them crowded round to ask what it was – French? or German? though most thought it must be Italian? With a dignified bow, Mrs Brunton told them it was a Gaelic song!

The words of “Mochra Domhnach” were supplied by Mrs Mackerrel, Port Ellen, Islay; and the music was noted by Miss Mactavish, formerly of the Manse, Kildalton, and now of Knock, Mull.

Both words and music were got from Margaret Douglas, a decent old woman at Oa, Islay.

An accomplished musician and composer of Highland Music – Miss Macgrigor, of Oban – has kindly transcribed my clumsy copying of the music, and Miss Mactavish says that the music is correct.

To my uncultured ear, and partial Highland taste, the air is pretty; and I only hope that others may find it so.

The poem is new to me, and words and phrases occur therein, which I do not quite understand. I hope others may be more successful. In this hope, in the hope that Mr Hector Maclean of Islay, or others, may be able to throw light on the history and obscurity of the poem, I would deem it a favour if The Highlander would publish it.

ALEX. A. CARMICHAEL

Mochra Donmhnach, dh'fhalbh an t-oigear,
Dhol tha eolais a null an Spainn,
Cha robh e ari chois nach trath no dha,
’Nuair leag am bron e sio gu lar;
’S thug e ordugh ga shean eolach
A chridhe feola cur na small,
’S thoirt dhise an luib li tir
’S du bhi clisge roimh bhraid-sheimh

Bith’ mise liom fein mar ghlaisein air feur,
Mar faigh mi thu fein, cha bhi mi beo.
Ged a gheibhinn do spreigh na chunnt air feill,
B’ anns thu fein no co ceud bo,
O! lionar cnead am chridhe steach;
Do ghaol na beacaidh rinn mo leon,
Chuir e truimeid am cheud mailleid am cheum,
’S mi ruith leis a bheinn da leir iad bron.

O! saoil sibh fein, nach teachdar o ’n eug,
Thainig an raoir gu ’n fhiosd am shuain;
Mar aiteal nag rein air iomall nan speur
Nochd ’s i i fein air ghleus gu ’n uaill,
Is baine am folt tha cur sgeimh air a corp,
Na an sian daithte air dhreach an oir,
Basan caoin air dhreach an aoil,
’S gile ’taobh na sneachd nan lon.


Gach aon dual a tha na gruaig,
Air ’chireadh a nuas mar shido buadhaidh air or
Am fac na ’n cual thu, an caidre na cuach,
Na ’s binne ri luaidh na fuainn a beoil;
Cuir i a steach ann an seomar glaisde,
Oiche thais gheamhraidh thall
A geala bhroilleach ni solusd
Mar ghrein shoilleir a bhitheadh air allt.

'Nuair chaidh an t-oigear a chruineachadh bord,
Theann e na coir a mhias a b’ fhearr,
Ghabh i a leoir ’s chaidh is stor [?]
’S ghabh e da deoin na bha ’s a mheis,
Run beag og thu, miann nam ban posd thu,
Gabh do leoir ’s bithidh tu slan,
’S e cridhe do ghaoil a chuir e cho maoth,
Tha litir ri m’ thaobh a sgriobh a lamh.


Leugh i le aidmheil a beoil,
Bu lionan na deoir a sruthadh gu lar;
Thug in all a spain gheal, fein.
’Us ghadh gu leir nab ha ’s a mheis.
Mo ghradh am chri’; ’s mi slan na dheigh
An leomhann ur an robh mo mhiann
Biadh no deoch, cha teid am chorp
A chaoidh nan cros os cionn do chre

Within Carmichael’s papers there are at least two mentions of the ‘Mochra Domhnach’ and it seems that the version he sent to Captain Campbell was returned to him, perhaps after he had his letter published in The Highlander. There were a number of advantages of publishing such items not only for the sake of making them more widely available but also of generating interest from the public who often contributed further titbits of information or, as in some cases, sent in questions as a plea to find out more information about any particular subject that satisfied the criteria of The Highlander. Carmichael ends his letter by asking whether Hector MacLean would be able to throw more light on the song. It is not recorded whether MacLean every replied to Carmichael and, so far, it seems that he did not reply to The Highlander. Newspapers such as The Highlander are full of interesting snippets of information, sometimes that which is unavailable elsewhere, and even a cursory survey of them will reveal some previously hidden gems. Doubtless there are quite a few of these that remain to be found which Carmichael, in his moments of leisure, had sent to various Highland or Gaelic-related newspapers and journals.

References:
Carmichael, Alexander A. ‘Mochra Domhnach’, The Highlander, vol. VIII, no. 370 (11 June 1880), p. 6
CW379, fos. 1-12
CW244(122)

Image: Newspaper

Kilted Excisemen: John Murdoch and Alexander Carmichael

John Murdoch

While in Dublin Alexander Carmichael became firm friends with a fellow Argyllshire Gael John Murdoch, who as his slightly older comtemporary and an exciseman to boot took his newly-found charge under his wing. They became life-long friends and Murdoch’s influence upon Carmichael cannot be underestimated. Many years later, Murdoch visited Carmichael, then staying at Creagorry in Benbecula, and they fell into conversation with a man in nearby Garrynamonie, South Uist. It so transpired that this man had been a tenant in Heisker, an island to the west of North Uist, and his vivid descriptions and engaging narrative were so noteworthy that Murdoch later wrote:

What struck me most were the rich descriptions he gave of the island and of the comfort and character of the people. I was sorry afterwards I had not taken note of his descriptions and I asked Mr Carmichael to get me at his leisure a full account. His answer, though good, was discouraging: ‘If I attempted to take down every eloquent speech that came my way I would never be done.’

John Murdoch (1818–1903), the radical editor of the The Highlander newspaper and political activist for land reform, and Carmichael had shared interests as they were both keen supporters of the Gaelic literature and language that became so entwined with the land league and the revival of fortunes for crofters and cottars. Both men were involved in the movement that would later enter legislation as the Crofting Act of 1886 which led to security of tenure and also, it seems, a much needed confidence boost for the Gaelic language and culture. Murdoch’s influence upon him is clearly palpable for Carmichael became a habitual wearer of the kilt, something that was perhaps rather unusual even then, and reflects something of the romantic persona in Carmichael’s makeup. Murdoch later recalled a visit that he made to the Hebrides around 1873 were he met up with his friend and his wife:

With Mr and Mrs Carmichael I had the best of entertainment, physically and mentally. He was full of Gaelic lore and busy gathering more. For this work, indeed, he had gone there and remained—to the loss of promotion in the excise in which he was much esteemed. He had been in Dublin, where I first met him on his arrival with credentials from Archie Sinclair the First, and after that among my friends in Islay. His first station was Cornwall where he found much to interest him. But he came to the Long Island as the great repository of Celtic traditional lore and he worked the mine as no man ever did before. Not only that but he made friends wherever he went. And unconsciously I reaped a good deal of the result. Wearing the kilt, as we both did, I was many a time taken for him as I approached; and I found that the good impression thus made often stood to me after the discovery was made that I was quite another person.

It is evident that both Murdoch and Carmichael benefited from their mutual aquaintance and both of their legacies have left a lasting impact upon not only upon Scottish culture in general but Gaelic culture in particular.

References:
James Hunter, For the People’s Cause (Edinburgh: HMSO, 1986)
Image: John Murdoch

Duan Callain – A Christmas Carol

Now that Christmas is drawing near it would not be inappropriate to mark it with a carol that was sent to the Highlander by Alexander Carmichael. This newspaper, which was produced between 1873 and 1882, was edited by his friend and fellow Gael, John Murdoch (1818–1903) and where Carmichael is described in his article as ‘our Uist Correspondent’. Also the correspondence sent along with the enclosed carol tells us something about what Carmichael thought regarding his contribution: ‘A. A. C. [Carmichael] expresses his regret that the fasts and festivals connected with Christmas have been to such an extent suppressed, that now there are many who do not know the origin of the very name. He thinks it would have been well to preserve those practices, as they led people to reflect upon the great Christmas events, and to benefit by meditation on the lessons inculcated.’ Carmichael wrote down the Christmas Carol from the dictation of Mr Angus Gunn, a pauper aged 85, who resided at Dail fo Thuath, Ness, on the northernmost tip of the isle of Lewis:

DUAN CALLAIN


Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht thainig ’s am.
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí!
Beannaich an taigh ’s na bheil ann,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí!
Eadar chuail ’us clach ’us chrann,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí!
Iomairst do Dhia e adar bhrat’ us aodach,
Slainte dhaoine gu’ ro’ ann.


Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí!
Gu ma buan mu’n tulach sibh,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí!
Gu mu slan mu’n teallach sibh,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí!
Gu mu slan ceann sguilb ’is taigh,
Daoine slan na bhuntair.


Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí!
Noc[hd] oi[dh]che Nollaige Moire,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Rugadh mac na Moir Oighe,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Rainig a bhonnach an Iar,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Shoillich Grian na’m beann ard,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Shoillich fearann, shoillich fonn,
Chualas an fhonn (am fonn?) eir an traigh.


Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí! Beannaicht E, beannaicht E,
Ho-Rí! Ho-Rí!
Beannaicht mo Righ,
Gun toiseach gun chrioch,
Gu sumhuin gu sior,
Gach linn gu brach!

A translation of the above carol, presumably by Carmichael himself, was also appended and which may be given:

Hail to the King! hail to the King!
Blessed is He, blessed is He who is come.
Hail to the King!
Blessed be this dwelling and all therein.
Hail to the King!
With its sticks, and stones, and staves.
Hail to the King!
With its covering and clothing.
And the health and welfare of all herein.


Hail to the King! hail to the King!
Blessed is He! blessed is He!
Hail to the King!
Long around this house be you!
Hail to the King!
Happy round this hearth be ye.
Hail to the King!
Many may the stakes in the roof-tree,
And joyous be all within.


Hail the King! hail to the King!
Blessed is He! blessed is He!
Hail to the King!
This is the eve of the great nativity.
Hail to the King, blessed is He.
Born is the Son of Mary the Virgin–
Hail to the King, bless is He.
The soles of His feet have touched the earth–
Hail to the King, blessed is He.
Shines the sun on mountains high–
Hail to the King, blessed is He.
Shines on the sea and shines on the land,
And loudly sounds the chorus of the strand.


Hail to the King! hail to the King!
Blessed is He, blessed is He1
Hail to the King!
This is the eve is the glorious nativity.
Hail! hail! all hail, O! King to Thee,
Through the limitless hounds of eternity.

The carol was later republished in Carmina Gadelica with only slight variations to the orthography made. Carmichael adds some detail about his informant:

Angus Gunn had been a strong man physically and was still a strong man mentally. He had lived for many years in the island of North Roney, and gave a graphic description of it, and of his life there. He had much oral lore which he told with great dramatic powers.

References:
A[lexander] A[rchibald] C[armichael], ‘Duain Challuin’, The Highlander, vol. II, no. 36 (17 January 1874), p. 3
Carmina Gadelica, i, pp. 126–37.
CW 115, fos. 1v-2r