Celtic Lyrics Corner > Artists & Groups > Calum Alex MacMillan > Tàladh Nan Cuantan > Eilean Fraoich

   
Tàladh Nan Cuantan Eilean Fraoich
   
Credits: William MacKenzie; arranged by Allan Henderson & Calum Alex MacMillan
   
Appears On: Tàladh Nan Cuantan
   
Language: Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic)
   
Other Versions: "Eilean Fraoich Nam Beann Àrd" on Mackenzie's album Fama Clamosa
   

Lyrics: English Translation:
   
Eilean fraoich, eilean fraoich Heather isle, heather isle
Eilean fraoich nam beann àrd Heather isle of the high mountains
Far an d' fhuair mi m' àrach òg Where I was brought up
Eilean Leòdhais mo ghràidh My beloved Isle of Lewis
   
Far an robh mi 'n làithean m' òig Where I used to run barefoot
Ruith gun bhròig do an tràigh To the shore as a child
'S mi ri streup gu nead an eòin Climbing to the birds' nests in every crevice
Anns gach còs san biodh àl Where there might be a brood of nestlings
   
Thug mi greis an làithean m' òig I spent some time in my young days
Air a' mhòintich nam phàisd' Out on the moor herding
'S mi ri tional nan laogh òg The young calves and the cows
Is nam bò aig an tràth At their milking time
   
Far am faca mi an òigh Where as a young man I saw the maid
Thuit mi òg anns a' ghràdh With whom I fell in love
'S ann a chionn nach 'eil i beò It is because she is no longer alive
Tha mi seòladh air sàl That I am sailing overseas
   
'S ged a tha i 'n Cladh na h-Aoidh And though she is at rest in the graveyard of Eye
Far nach cluinn i mo dhàn Where she cannot hear my song
Chan eil madainn 's chan eil oidhch' No morning or night
Nach bi cuimhn' air a ghràdh Passes without my remembering her love
   
'S e gun chaill mi bean mo ghaoil It is because I lost my beloved wife
Dh'fhàg mo shaothair aig càch That others have taken on my labor
'S e dh'fhàg Uilleam leis a' chloinn And left William with the children
An taobh thall de an t-sàl On the far side of the ocean
   
'S ged a bheirte dhomh an tìr And although I might be given the land
Eadar chraobhan is bhàrr With trees and crops as well
B'fhearr leam a bhi measg an fhraoich I would prefer to be among the heather
Ann an Tir nam Beann Ard In the Land of the High Mountains
   
Eilean fraoich, eilean fraoich Heather isle, heather isle
Eilean fraoich nam beann àrd Heather isle of the high mountains
Far an d' fhuair mi m' àrach òg Where I was brought up
Eilean Leòdhais mo ghràidh My beloved Isle of Lewis