Nach eil sinne fortanach an-diugh gu bheil òrain luaidh gu leòr againn ri sheinn, gun againn ris an obair chruaidh a bha nan cois a dhèanamh? Feumaidh nach robh luadh a’ chlò an-còmhnaidh cho tlachdmhòr ach tha Mac an t-Saoir a’ toirt deagh ìomhaigh dhan phròiseas san òran seo.
This waulking song is all about how the long process of waulking the tweed is made more bearable through song and conviviality between the women of the community.
lyrics
Ho rò gun togainn air hùgan fhathast
Ho rò i ò, mun tèid mi laighe
Ho rò gun togainn air hùgan fhathast
Togamaid fonn air luadh a’ chlòthlainn
Gabhaidh sinn ceòl is òrain mhatha
B' fheàird an clò bhith chòir nan gruagach
Dhèanadh an luadhadh buan len làmhan
Nuair a thionndas iad air clèith e
Chluinnte fuaim gach tè dhiubh labhairt
Òrain ghrinne, bhinne, mhìlse
Aig na rìbhinnean gan gabhail
Luinneag ac’ air luadh an aodaich
Sunndach, saothrachail ri mathas
Guma slàn a bhios na caoraich
Air an d’ fhàs an t-aodach flathail
Beannachd air an làimh a shnìomh e
’S i rinn gnìomh na deagh bhean-taighe
’S ann a tha ‘n toil-inntinn aodaich
Aig na daoin’ a bhios ga chaitheamh
The tweed will be the better for being in the presence of the girls
Who, with their hands, will make the waulking endure
When they turn it on the waulking board
The sound was heard of each of them speaking
Beautiful, melodious, sweet songs
Are sung by the maidens
While waulking they sing
Cheerfully, diligently to improve the cloth
Good health to those sheep
on which grew the elegant cloth
A blessings upon the hand which spun it
Hers was the work of a good housewife
Truly the folk who will wear it
Will derive pleasure from their clothes
credits
from Càirdeas,
released April 24, 2021
Ceòl agus Faclan / Words and Music: Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir
Produced by: Brian Ó hEadhra, Fionnag NicChoinnich, Innes White - inneswhite.com
Recorded by: Innes White, engineered remotely during lockdown in various locations throughout Scotland and Ireland
Mixed by: Iain Hutchison, GloWorm Recording, Glasgow
Mastered by: Alan Douches, West West Side Music
All songs arranged by: Brian Ó hEadhra, Fionnag NicChoinnich, Innes White
Illustrations: Rachael Forbes - rachaelforbes.co.uk
Landscape Photography: Mairead NicIllinnein - instagram.com/nicillinnein
Design: Steve McKenzie - canan.co.uk
Brian Ó hEadhra | Fionnag NicChoinnichInverness, UK
Highland based Brian Ó hEadhra & Fiona Mackenzie perform songs from the Gaelic traditions but also sing contemporary songs
drawing on their own musical tastes and experiences ranging from Celtic and Nordic to Eastern European; Americana to indie music.
They have performed in bands such as Anam, Seelyhoo, Mackenzie, and Cruinn.
They have performed over 30 albums and have toured the world over....more
The Australian pianist offers a meditative collective of gentle instrumental compositions meant to soothe a fraying world. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 13, 2020