Oran Snìomh (Spinning Song)

[read english version]

Spinning songs (used to accompany the spinning of
wool) are no longer commonly sung. As the industrial age
encroached on Cape Breton, this tradition along with
many others retreated. This song is based on the singing
of the late Lachlann Dhòmhnaill Nìll (Lauchie Dan N.
MacLellan) of Broad Cove, Inverness County.

‘S iomadh caileag bhòidheach laghach
A bhios ‘na suidh’ aig cuibhlidh,
A’ snìomh nan rolag ‘s seinn nan luinneag
Bidh gach currac binn ann,
A’ snàithlean bòidheach ruith ro’ meòirean
Cothrom, còmhnard, sìnte,
A falt ‘na dhual bhos cionn a cluais
‘Ga chumail suas le cìr ann.

A Nic Theàrlaich, air do shlàinte
Bidh sinn càirdeil daonnan,
Bidh thusa ‘fàs, bidh mise ‘cnàmh,
‘S mo cheann cho bàn ri faoileig
Bu mhór leam an toileach a thug siod dhomhs’,
A laighe blàth ri d’thaobhsa,
Nuair thig an geamhradh, bídh tu sàs
Aig nigheann bhàn Nic Mhaoilein.

Nuair thig an geamhradh, ‘s àm nam
bainnsean
Gheobh sinn dram’ dhe ‘n Tòiseach
‘S bidh Nollaig chridheil aig cloinn nighean
‘S aig na gillean òga
Bidh mnathan òg a’ ruith ‘s a’ leum,
‘S cuid dhiubh ‘g éigheachd òran
Bidh srannd aig bodaich ann am fodar
‘S sogan orr’ a’ còmhradh.

Spoken word – “Thig a’chuibhle mun cuairt car o
dheas na o thuath agus gheobh ar n-easdairdean duais an
eucoir.” From a poem by John Rory Stuart as quoted by
Jimmy MacKay in Seallabh gu Taobh.

Keys: James Gray,
Bass: Rachel Melas
Drums: Geoff Arsenault
Acoustic & electric guitars: Rob Piltch
Guitar: Philip Strong
Spinning wheel: Vicki Quinby
(Spinning wheel recorded by Dave Hillier in Orangedale,
Cape Breton)

Spinning songs (used to accompany the spinning of
wool) are no longer commonly sung. As the industrial age
encroached on Cape Breton, this tradition along with
many others retreated. This song is based on the singing
of the late Lachlann Dhòmhnaill Nìll (Lauchie Dan N.
MacLeellan) of Broad Cove, Inverness County.

1. Many a lovely, pleasant young woman
will sit at the spinning wheel, plying the rolls and
crooning melodies. All the peaked (?) mutches will be
present. Lovely yarn coursing through her fingers,
finished, smooth and stretched; her hair arranged in a
plait held by a comb above her ear.

2. A drink to your health, oh daughter
of Charles. We shall always be cordial. You will
increase and I shall wither, my head white as a gull’s.
It gave me great pleasure to lay warm by your side. When
winter comes you will be working for MacMillan’s fair
haired daughter.

3. When winter comes and the season
for weddings, we’ll get a dram of spirits. The girls and
young boys will enjoy a merry Christmas. Young women
will bustle about, some of them calling out songs. Old
men sitting in the straw will drone contentedly in
conversation.

Spoken word – “Thig a’chuibhle mun cuairt car o
dheas na o thuath agus gheobh ar n-easdairdean duais an
eucoir.” From a poem by John Rory Stuart as quoted by
Jimmy MacKay in Seallabh gu Taobh.

Keys: James Gray,
Bass: Rachel Melas
Drums: Geoff Arsenault
Acoustic & electric guitars: Rob Piltch
Guitar: Philip Strong
Spinning wheel: Vicki Quinby
(Spinning wheel recorded by Dave Hillier in Orangedale,
Cape Breton)