English translations

AN GAOL A THUG MI OG
The Love I Gave When Young (English translation)

Verse 1

On a May morning, when the dew lies gently on the grass,
And the beautiful, new, delicate flowers awaken in their full glory,
The sun shining on their faces like dainty golden jewels,
That always reminds me of the love I gave when young.

Verse 2

When I see the beautiful, gentle girl, faultless and honest in love,
With the lad whom she loves happily picking roses,
And I see the handsome young lad singing by her side,
That always reminds me of the love I gave when young.

Verse 3

Flowers may grow that are today sleeping beneath the turf,
And when the calm summer comes, birds will sing with joy,
Our lives will change in many ways, we'll not be free from sorrow,
That always reminds me of the love I gave when young.

TUGAINN LEAM THAR SAILE
Come With Me Across The Sea (English translation)

Chorus

Come with me across the sea over to the land I love,
Come with me to the most beautiful green isle,
Come with me across the sea.

Verse 1

You will see Beinn na Caillich, Sgurr Alasdair and Marsco,
You will see Sgurr nan Gillean there, Glamaig and Sgurr Thearlaich,
Come with me across the sea.

Verse 2

I will go with you to Diurinis, you will see MacLeod's fort,
You will see the top of Ullinish, the Maidens and Dun Osdail,
Come with me across the sea.

Verse 3

You will see the shore in the distance, Loch Staffin at high tide,
The waves breaking beautifully, pools flowing to the beach,
Come with me across the sea.

Verse 4

You will see the rock of Storr, Rona and the hills of Gairloch,
You will see far and wide to the steep hills of Kintail,
Come with me across the sea.

CEOL NAN CRUINNEAG (The Young Women's Song)

Verse 1
In the calm dawn of a May morning at the rising of the sun
It is the sweetest music to be listening to the voices of creatures, each in their own way
Giving a morning welcome to the beautiful sunrays
Which so joyfully spread warmth on each heath and

Chorus
But the most musical is the song of the maidens in the meadow-fold
As they sing cheerfully at herding time

Verse 2
Up on Creachan a'Chlamhain (Buzzard Summit), how musical is the belling of the deer
And the lowing of the cows in calf in the black cattle fold
The ewe seeking her little lamb, how plaintive and sonorous her bleat
And also the cries of the goats in the herd at milking time

Verse 3
When the fiddle is played how I delight in the quiver of the strings
And the sound of bagpipes well in tune
The murmur of a clarsach in a hall
And every musical instrument that was ever invented
I have revered them deeply, all

Verse 4
But when the lassies sing on the Còsag in the month of May
Every bird in the flock will be listening attentively to their musical airs
And cattle beasts will move close to them attentive and affectionate
Bobbing joyfully to the music with its sweetest tune