Cape Breton's Magazine

Examples from the book Songs Remembered in Exile Gura Mise Tha fo Mhulad, 's Mi air Uilinn na Stuic Recorded from A. J. MacKenzie at Christmas Island, Cape Breton, on 29/9/37; text communicated by the singer Transcribed by S6amus Ennis ?? te ' m ' 1 ' ' fe • j'_ • Stuic Gur - a mis' tha fo mhu - lad '8 mi air uil mn na Air fail ' m J i- iji f -* • Ho I - nnn hCi, ro hull I - rinn 0 ho, Gura Mise Tha fo Mhulad... Fonn: Air fail il irinn hu, H6 ro hiiil irinn o h6. Air fail il irinn hu. fail 11 I - rinn hu. I Am Sorrowful... Gura mise tha fo mhulad 'S mi air uilinn na stuic *S mi coimhead Caol Muile, 'S cha ghrunnaich mi null, Far na dh*fh'g mi mo mh'thair Air a c'dh 'san uir. Far na dh'fhag mi mo leannan. Caol mhala is rosg ciuin. Chi mi Mta caol daraich A' dol seachad ri smuid. Muia deachaidh mi am mearachd, Tha mo leannan air an stiuir. I air bharr nan tonn uaine, Is muir a' suaineadh na siuil. I am sorrowful on the shoulder of the peak. Looking at the Sound of Mull, unable to wade across. Where I left my mother, who had been put into the ground. Where I met my sweetheart of thin eyebrows and calm eyes. I saw a slender oaken ship going past at speed. Unless I am wrong, my lover was at the helm. On the top of the green waves, with the sea twisting the sails. I air bharr nan tonn glasa. Is muir a' slachdraich m'a buird. A' dol seachad air Eige, Tir chreagach nan stuc. A' dol seachad air He, Learn is iseal a curs'. A' dol seachad air Eirinn, Chaidh m'eudail do'n ghriinn. Chaidh m'eudail do'n fheamain, A' dol fairis a null. 'S daor a cheannaich mi an t-eoma, Cha mh6r a dh'61 mi dha 'n liunn. 'S daor a cheannaich mi 'n sgadan, Chaidh a phacadh as ur. On the top of the grey waves, with the sea breaking on her planks. Going past Eigg, the rocky land of peaks. Going past Islay, I thought her course was off-shore. Going past Ireland, my love went to the bottom. My love went to the seaweed going over across. Dearly I paid for the barley, little I drank of the beer. Dearly I paid for the herring, which had been packed fresh. Archibald James MacKenzie, known as 'Eairdsidh Sheumais' was tx)rn at Rear Christmas Island, Cape Breton, on 12 May 1861, and died there on 30 May 1939. He was the son of James MacKenzie, 'Seumas Dhomhnaill 'ic Eachainn' (James son of Donald son of Hec? tor), and Catherine MacDougall, 'Catriana Eachainn Ruaidh 'ic Calum Muilleir* (Catherine daughter of red-haired Hector, daughter of Calum the Miller). The Hector MacKenzie who was Archibald James's great? grandfather was Hector MacKenzie of the Glen, near Castlebay, Bar? ra, who was mentioned approvingly by Col. Roderick MacNeil of Bar? ra in a letter to the Rev. Angus MacDonald, parish priest of Barra dat? ed 8 August 1816. In his time Archibald James MacKenzie was one of the outstanding personalities in the Gaelic world of Nova Scotia. He was very well known as a teacher, scholar, Gaelic poet, genealogist, and fanner. His History of Christmas Island Parish, 1926, with Introduction by the Rev. Patrick J. Nicholson, Is a mine of information on local tradi? tions and local families going back to the time of the settlement of the district (the east side of the Bras d'Or Lake from Benacadie to Beaver Cove) mostly by emigrants from South Uist and Barra in Scotland.... MacKenzie was most sympathetic to our recording work; he himself recorded nine traditional songs for us, as well as three of his own compositions.... MacKenzie also contributed many articles on histori? cal subjects to the Cape Breton Press, and was a noted violinist. He was greatly missed. Songs Remembered in Exile by John L. Campbell is published by the Aberdeen University Press. It can be ordered through your lo? cal bookstore. Norman MacDonald's review was published in a different form in the West Highland Free Press. Real Estate Serving Industrial Cape Breton and North Victoria & Insurance R HiCkeV & CO. inking of selling your , *" " • ?''??'''J '' ''''i'i "if you're thinking home, give us a call." P. O. Box 96, North Sydney B2A 3M1 Gerald Brennan, Mgr. Residence: 794-4564 "And remember: No sale, no charge." 794-3119 ASHBY MEDICAL SUPPLY We Rent, Sell & Repair Hospital Equipment: wheelchairs, commode chairs, walkers, beds, canes (WALTER'S RENTALS) 4 SHERIFF AVE., SYDNEY (539-9616) Midway Motors Ltd. Now with Two Locattons: HEAD OFFICE '' NEW OFFICE Middle River wSf Port Hastings 295-2290 ' 625-3641 58 We've Been CHRYSLER Since 1926 Bruce'sl Place RESTAURANT Spaghetti, Lasagna, Fettuclnl Alfredo Subs, Burgers, Quality Steaks and Bruce's own Pizza Pizzazz with more than 15 toppings to choose from FULLY LICENSED TAKE-OUT AVAILABLE ceo RAf( • Welton Plaza Weacceptthe DJ??m'DH'Jj Sydney, N. S. major credit cards, i OPEN: Mon-Thu 11 am-11 pm • Fri & Sat 11 am-Midnlght • Sun Noon-11 pm|