An Eala Bhan - Hugh Matheson

An Eala Bhàn Gur muladach a tha mi, 'S mo chridhe 'n sàs aig bròn Bhon an uair a dh'fhàg mi Beanntan àrd a' cheò, Gleanntanan a' mhànrain, Nan loch, nam bàgh 's nan òb, 'S an eala bhàn tha snàmh orra Gach là air bheil mi 'n tòir. A Mhagaidh na biodh cùram ort, A rùin ged gheibhinn bàs - Cò againn ann am measg an t-sluaigh A mhaireas buan gu bràth? Chan eil sinn uile ach air chuairt, Mar dhìthein buaile dh'fhàs Bheir siantannan na bliadhna sìos 'S cha tog a' ghrian an-àird. Tha mise 'n seo 's mo shùil san iar Nuair chrom a' ghrian san t-sàl; Mo bheannachd leig mi às a dèidh Ged thrèig i mi cho tràth, Gun fhios am faic mi màireach i Nuair dhìreas i gu h-àrd, Is iomairt lann gu bhith ri chèil' Nuair 's lèir dhuinn beul an là. Ach ma tha e 'n dàn dhomh On bhlàr gun till mi beò Is gu faic mi 'n t-àite San deach ar n-àrach òg An sin bidh crathadh làmhan ann Is bilean blàth toirt phòg 'S mo ghealltanas bi pàighte dhut Le fàinne chur mu d' mheòir. Oidhche mhath leat fhèin, a rùin, Nad leabaidh chùbhraidh bhlàth; Dèan cadal sàmhach air a chùil Dèan dùsgadh sunndach slàn. Tha mise 'n seo san truinnsidh fhuar S nam chluasan fuaim a' bhàis, Gun dùil ri faighinn às le buaidh S tha 'n cuan cho buan ri shnàmh. The Fair Swan I feel desolate, my heart seared by sorrow, since I left the high misty hills, the beguiling glens of loch, bay and strome, and the fair swan who stays there and I pursue unceasingly. Maggie, my love, do not grieve even if I die - where is the man among us who is immortal? We are all of us on a brief journey, just like the field flower that grows and succumbs to the changing season, the sun no longer able to able to revive it. I am here gazing westwards since the sun sank in the sea. I took my sincere farewell of her, feeling she left me too soon and not knowing if I shall see her again tomorrow as she rises skywards, for battle will be joined when we see the glimmer of day. If fate allows that I get back alive and once again see the place where I was brought up, we will be there clasping hands, warm lips exchanging kisses, and my promise to you will be sealed with a ring on your finger. Goodnight my love, in your warm fragrant bed, a quiet sleep to you and a joyous wholesome awakening. I am here in a cold trench, the sounds of death constantly in my ears, with little hope of emerging victorious, and the sea is too wide to swim.