[read english version]
This compelling song seems to be known only in
Inverness County, specifically from around the Broad
Cove/Dunvegan area. A number of years ago, a local
fellow was so fond of singing it that he was nicknamed
“Iain Hi Rì Him Bò”. The song tells the story of a
victorious hunter returning home, after being away
chasing the deer, to discover his sweetheart has become
betrothed to another. My text here is once again based
on the recorded singing of Lachlan Dhòmhnaill Nìll.
Hi rì him bò hill ò bha rò hò
Hi rì him bò hìrì ri ri ù
Hi rì him bo hill ò bha rò hò
Chì mi, chì mi, chì mi thall ud,
Chì mi na féidh air a’ bhearradh,
Chì mi na féidh…, etc.
‘S an giomanach fhéin nan deaghaidh,
‘S an giomanach fhéin…, etc.
Le ghunna caol ‘s a mhial-choin sheanga
Dìreadh bheann ‘s a’ teàrnadh
ghleannan
Dh’fhàg thu an damh donn gun anail
Anns a’ fhraoch a’ sileadh faladh
Bha do mhial-choin sgìth ‘ga leanaid
Bha na gillean sgìth ‘ga tharraing
Bial an anmoich ‘tighinn gu baile
Far am faighte biadh gun ghainnead
l ‘s ceòl ‘s òran thairis
Tha sgeul ùr a’ tighinn gu baile
Chan e sgeul ùr a th’ann ach
naidheachd
Gun do réitich mo chiad leannan
Vocals & foot: Mary Jane Lamond |