Mo shoraidh leis a’ Chòigich - Mull Gaelic Choir

A Gaelic exile song from Montana, written by Murdo Maclean, 1910, arranged by Vic Linnemann (member of the Mull Gaelic Choir). The song of a man homesick for Coigach, in the far north-west of Scotland, and who later returned to live in the Black Isle, Scotland. This is the choir's performance at the 2017 National Mòd, Fort William, Scotland. Translation (Farewell to Coigach) :- 1. I was reared in the North of Scotland Where there are sheltering mountains and many glens, Where the young women are the most beautiful and most polite alive, A pity I were not now with them although I would be short of money. 2. My farewell to Coigach and to Ben More of the mists To Meall Dubh and Spicean Cointich where I was young and carefree Where the lovely shorn sheep are cropping the tips of the grass. And sleepy shepherds are herding the young lambs. 3. At sunset, the cattle will make their way down to the fold, and I myself will accompany them and I am very hungry. There will be no house wife to welcome me, or to prepare the table No one to welcome me but an empty hearth without smoke. 4. When summer comes each tree and plant is in flower, And I will be thinking of going to sea again, Where there will be friends with joy shaking our hands And although it would cost us a gold coin, we would drink their health. 5. But when winter comes, it snorts and besieges The shepherds of summer will be spending their fortunes, They will be in the towns, drinking a health to each other, But the children of the Gaels will be on the tops of the hills. 6. Oh, the Island of Scotland is for me, above any corner under the sun, I would have no need for silver or gold there, or any fortune, But I’d remain there all my days, with little wealth, with the beautiful young maiden, from the Black Isle of my desire. Original text in Gaelic 1. 'S ann a fhuair mi m'arach an taobh tuath de Alba Mhór, Far 'm bheil beanntaichean tha fasgathach is gleanntanan gu-leòir, Far 'm bheil chlann-nighean as bòidhche 's as finealta tha beò, Is truagh nach robh mi thall leò ged bhithinn gann de'n òr. 2. Mo shoraidh leis a' Chòigich 's le Beinne Mhòr a' cheò, Meall Dubh 'is Spicean Cointich far'n robh mi aotrom òg, Tha chaora mhaol as bòidhche a' cromadh bàrr an fheòir, Is buachlaichean le suain orra a' buachailleachd nan uan òg. 3. An àm dol fodha na grèine bidh sprèidh dol sios do'n chrò, 'S bidh mi fhèin a' teàrnadh leò 's mi acarach gu leòir Cha bhi bean-taigh cur furan orm no deasachadh mu'n bhòrd Cha bhi a h-aon cur fàilt' orm, ach fàrdach bhàn gun cheò. 4. Nuair a thig an sàmhradh bidh gach craobh is flùr fo bhlàth. Is bidh mi-fhèin a' smaointeachadh a dhol a rithist thar sàil, Far 'm bi càirdean le aoibhneas toirt crathadh dhuinn de'n làmh, 'S ged chosgadh e bonn òir dhuinn gun òladh sinn deoch slàint. 5. Ach nuair a thig an geàmhradh, bidh srann aige is sèisd. Bidh na buachaillean sàmhraidh dol gann air fortan fhèin. 'S na bailtean bhios iad lìonmhor ag òl deoch slàinte chèil, Ach 's ann bhios clann nan Gàidheal air mullach bheann is shlèibh. 6. O Eilean Alba dhomhsa seach còs tha fo'n a' ghrèin', Chan iarrainn òr no airgead ann no fortan bhith da rèir. Ach dh'fhanainn fad mo latha ann le saoibhreas a bhiodh crìon, Le m' ribhinn mhaiseach bhòidheach à Eilean Dubh mo mhiann.