[read english version] I’m glad to have had the opportunity to work with
my friends in the group Beolach on this one as they are
all very fine Cape Breton musicians and I’m grateful
they made the time to come into the studio with me.
This song, by the Margaree bard Malcolm Gillis(Calum Mac
Gill-Iosa), is about a gathering in Cape Breton with the
unthinkable situation of having no musicians, however
that was soon remedied by someone going with the mare
for a fiddler and a good time was had by all. The
composer’s only regret is that Lent is coming upon them
so quickly! The jig in the middle is “Sailor Don’s jig”
composed by the fine Cape Breton fiddler, Dougie
MacDonald. The tunes at the end are the traditional
strathspey, Uisdean Friseal, and a traditional Irish
reel called “The Farmer’s Daughter” “…A company gathered who were merry,
fresh, tuneful, loud, fine and courteous. The thing that
has left me disturbed Is that we have no musicians….” Bhean an tighe, fàg an siola,
‘M botul làn a tha mi sireadh,
Dh’òlainn deoch-slàinte nan gillean
A dh’imich Di-Luain bhuainn. Chruinnich còmhlan cridheil, ùrail,
Fonnmhor, farumach, glan, cùirteil,
‘S gur e dh’ fhàg mi trom fo chùram
An luchd-ciùil bhith bhuapa. Gu’n robh feadhainn as gach àit ann,
Fir á Sestico ‘s á Màbou,
Fir á Siùdaig nam beann àrda
Bhiodh làmhach ‘s a’ chruadal. Cha robh bhuainn an sin ach fìdhlear
Leis an gluaiseamaid ‘s an ruìdhle,
‘S e bhith cur earbsa á trì dhiubh
Chuir mi fhìn cho luaineach. Labhair Donnchadh le guth àrd ruinn
"O’ n a tha luchd-ciùil anns a’ Bhràighe
Falbhaidh mise leis an làir,
‘S thig Peadar Dhaibhidh nuas leam. Fhuair iad ceòl,’s cha robh e cearbach,
Ceòl as am biodh dannsair earbsach,
‘S e rud bochd a bh’ann gu dearbh
An Carghus thigh’nn cho luath oirnn. |
Bal na h-Aibhne
Deas (Ball at Southwest Margaree) Chorus:
O Woman of the house, leave the gill (measure)
It is the full bottle that I’m seeking.
I would drink a toast to the young men.
Who left us on Monday. A company gathered who were merry,
fresh,
Tuneful, loud, fine and courteous.
The thing that has left me disturbed
Is the we have no musicians. There were some from everywhere,
People from Port Hood and Mabou,
People from Judique, of the tall mountains
Who would be adroit in adversity All we needed then was a fiddler,
To whom we would move in a reel,
Waiting for the three we expected
Made me anxious (for music.) Duncan called out in loud voice
“Since we have musicians in Margaree
I will go with the mare,
And Peter David will come back with me." |