Here it is at last! As mentioned in my previous blogs, I’ve been working with two  talented musicians (my partner Adam Brewster and friend Donald Ferguson) and a translator (Ceit Langhorne) on a Scottish Gaelic song about beautiful Ardnamurchan.

It’s called ‘Nach Falbh thu air an Turas Leam’, which means ‘Won’t you go on a Journey with Me?’. Translation below the video. Hope you enjoy it!

 

The song was written by Donald McColl of Ardnamurchan (1901 – 1978) in 1975. It was re-recorded and arranged by Adam Brewster, Donald Ferguson and myself with kind permission of the McColl family and also thanks to the School of Scottish Studies, Edinburgh, where I first discovered the song. (Link Here – ‘Nach Falbh thu air an Turas Leam’ )

Without the help of Scottish translator and singer Ceit Langhorne there’s absolutely no way I could have sang the song – it was quite the learning curve, but so rewarding, and fun to work with Ceit!

It was wonderful to hear the sensitive and beautiful arrangement by Adam (harp) and Donald (guitar) taking shape. Adam also produced the song recording, which (despite my voice wavering here and there) sounds so lyrical.

Scottish Gaelic lyrics below, with English translation below each verse …

‘Nach Falbh thu air an Turas Leam.’

By Donald McColl- Ath Tharachail (1901-1977).

Translation and Transcription by Ceit Langhorne.

 

Sèist: Nach falbh thu air an turas leam

Gu Rubha Àird nam Murchan?

Far am bi na h-eòin cho basganta

A’ seinn sa bharraich uaine.

Nach falbh thu air an turas leam?

 

Chorus: Won’t you come with me on a journey

To the Point of Ardnamurchan

Where the birds so melodiously

Sing on the tops of the verdant birches

Won’t you come with me on a journey?

 

Bu mhiann leam a bhith nam fhòrichean

Air madainn òg-mhìos driùichdach 

Na h- eòin air gleus sa chamhanaich

A’ seinn le blàs san ùr-choill’

Nach falbh thu air an turas leam?

 

I would greatly desire to be alone

On a dewy June morning early

The birds with their reeds tuned on the branches in the gloaming

Singing a song with a fresh voice in the blooming forest

 

Nach bòidheach bheus de bhruaichean

Is beus an duilleach fuasgailt’

S’an t-seòbhrach bhan bhuidh’ spèisealta

A’sgeadachadh gach bruachaig

Nach falbh thu air an turas leam?

 

Lovely is the demeanour of the banks

When the leaf is unfurling

And the exceptional dapper-white primrose

Decorating every bank.

 

Na mhòrraichean tha rùnaichean

Le neòinean cùbhraidh fionn-dearg

Is leat-ghaoth tinn (?) na h-oiteagan

Le’m bholtrachas gad ionnsaigh

Nach falbh thu air an turas leam?

 

The marvels of the land that are beloved (?)

The fragrant sweet pale-pink daisies

The (?) wind and the breezes

Fragrantly coming towards you

 

Far am bi na fèidh s’ na fireachan

Cho ionmhalta a’ gluasad

Tha a’ dìon na coilltean taitneach

Nuair a thig an gailleann cruaidh orr’ 

Nach falbh thu air an turas leam?

 

Where the deer on the rough moorland

So admirable, praiseworthy moving

Making for the pleasant burns for shelter

When the tempest comes upon them

Nach Falbh thu air an Turas Leam

 

Gu Rubha Àird nam Murchan?

Far am bi na h-eòin cho basganta

A’ seinn sa bharraich uaine.

Nach falbh thu air an turas leam?