[read english version] I thought I knew some tragic laments but this one
is the saddest yet. This very old song is said to have
been composed by a Campbell woman after the Battle of
Inverlochy in 1645. In this battle the Campbells and the
Covenanters were routed by Montrose and his troops. It
is said that little quarter was given as we can hear as
this woman sings of losing her, father, husband, four
brothers and three sons in the battle as well as having
her fields and animals burned. It was collected by John
Lorne Campbell from Angus “The Ridge” MacDonald of Lower
South River, Antigonish County. "It is I who am lost, na i ri ri si ri
o ro
I have been deeply wounded, na i ro ri o ho.
Since the day of the Battle of Inverlochy, na i ro ri o
ho…” ‘S gur e mise th’ air m’aineol, na i
ri ri si ri o ro
O gur mise th’ air mo leònadh, na i ro ri o ho. O gur mise th’air mo leònadh, na i ri
ri si ri o ro
Bho latha Blàr Inbhir Lòchaidh, na i ro ri o ho Bho latha..etc.
Fo ruaig nan Èireannach dòithte, na i ro ri o ho. Thàinig a dh’ Albainn gun stòras, na i
ro ri o ho. Le bhi dh’earrasair an cleòcaibh, na i
ro ri o ho. Thug iad spionnadh do Chlann
Dhòmhnuill, na i ro ri o ho Mharbh iad m’ athair is m’ fhear pòsda,
na i ro ri o ho. Mo thriùir mhacanan òga, na i ro ri o
ho ‘S mo cheathrar bhràithrean gan
stròiceadh, na i ro ri o ho. Loisg iad mo chuid coirc’ is eòrna, na
i ro ri o ho. Mharbh iad mo chrodh mór gu feòlach,
na i ro ri o ho. ‘S mo chaoraich gheala gan ròsladh, na
hi ro ri o ho. Gur e mi a th’air mo leònadh, na i ro
ri o ho. |