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As some of you may know, I am a big Capercaillie fan, big big big big fan. From a passing interest in learning Scottish I have a burning desire to learn Scottish Gaelic just so I can understand what the songs are about, IMO it's just a beautiful language, one of many that I would love to learn, but that is slightly off topic.
Anyway, I just got onto Wikipedia and did a search on their band, found a website with lyrics and translations, and looked up the translation for one of my favorite songs, Urnaigh A 'Bhan-Thigreach and wow:
Lyrics:
M'aithair 's mo Dhia, dean Thus' ardion
Mi fhein 's mo naoidhean beagan mhios
Gur gann an t-uisg', 's gur gann an siol
Sinn creuchdach, acrach, brointe, piant'
'Adhlaichte an-diugh mo luaidh
'S nach aithnich mise uaigh seach uaigh
Measg mhiltean a Tigre tha e na shuain
Coinhead Thusa, a Thighearna, oirnn le truas
Sinn a'famachadh le teas na grein'
Nuair dh'eireas i an-aird sna speur
Sinn ga ar meileachadh le fuachd
Meadlian oidhche, 's ar sgeadachadh cho truagh
An tig, a Thigearna, uisge trom
Bheir a-mach toradh bhon talamh lom?
Cum rium mo chreidamh anmad fhein
Na canam 'an-do threig thu mi, mo Dhia?
Cheus riaghaltas eile Criosd air crann
'S tha luchd-breug gar biathadh-sa gu teann
Doirt a-muas do mhaitheas chaoimh, a Dhe
Na leig an t-ole buileachadh gu leir
English Translation:
Oh Lord, my God will you protect
Me and my child of but a few months?
Scarce is the water, scarce the grain
We are hungry, bruised and pained with sores
My beloved one was buried today
But I cannot tell one grave from the next
His resting place is with thousands from Tigre
Look on us, Lord, with pity
We faint in the intense heat of the sun
As it rises in the cloudless sky
And at midnight in our ragged attire
We are numbed with cold
God, let the rain come soon
Let it bring forth crops from this arid land
Strengthen my faith in you, Lord
And let me not say that you have forsaken me
Other rulers crucified Christ on the cross
And we are fed poorly by a similar regime
Pour down your healing kindness, God
Do not let evil conquer completely
Really shows why some people wanted to immigrate so badly. I always thought the song had a bit of a mournful air to it, but I never imagined that the words were that. Don't get me wrong, I don't disapprove or think it's bad or anything, just something to think about.
EDIT:
Why oh why can't my lovely formatting job work right the first time? ; ;
Anyway, I just got onto Wikipedia and did a search on their band, found a website with lyrics and translations, and looked up the translation for one of my favorite songs, Urnaigh A 'Bhan-Thigreach and wow:
Lyrics:
M'aithair 's mo Dhia, dean Thus' ardion
Mi fhein 's mo naoidhean beagan mhios
Gur gann an t-uisg', 's gur gann an siol
Sinn creuchdach, acrach, brointe, piant'
'Adhlaichte an-diugh mo luaidh
'S nach aithnich mise uaigh seach uaigh
Measg mhiltean a Tigre tha e na shuain
Coinhead Thusa, a Thighearna, oirnn le truas
Sinn a'famachadh le teas na grein'
Nuair dh'eireas i an-aird sna speur
Sinn ga ar meileachadh le fuachd
Meadlian oidhche, 's ar sgeadachadh cho truagh
An tig, a Thigearna, uisge trom
Bheir a-mach toradh bhon talamh lom?
Cum rium mo chreidamh anmad fhein
Na canam 'an-do threig thu mi, mo Dhia?
Cheus riaghaltas eile Criosd air crann
'S tha luchd-breug gar biathadh-sa gu teann
Doirt a-muas do mhaitheas chaoimh, a Dhe
Na leig an t-ole buileachadh gu leir
English Translation:
Oh Lord, my God will you protect
Me and my child of but a few months?
Scarce is the water, scarce the grain
We are hungry, bruised and pained with sores
My beloved one was buried today
But I cannot tell one grave from the next
His resting place is with thousands from Tigre
Look on us, Lord, with pity
We faint in the intense heat of the sun
As it rises in the cloudless sky
And at midnight in our ragged attire
We are numbed with cold
God, let the rain come soon
Let it bring forth crops from this arid land
Strengthen my faith in you, Lord
And let me not say that you have forsaken me
Other rulers crucified Christ on the cross
And we are fed poorly by a similar regime
Pour down your healing kindness, God
Do not let evil conquer completely
Really shows why some people wanted to immigrate so badly. I always thought the song had a bit of a mournful air to it, but I never imagined that the words were that. Don't get me wrong, I don't disapprove or think it's bad or anything, just something to think about.
EDIT:
Why oh why can't my lovely formatting job work right the first time? ; ;
