Ailein Duinn: Faclan le Anna Caimbeul

Lately, I find myself listening to a lot of music as my mind wanders aimlessly rather than doing my favorite activities. I've been unable to snap out of this distracted state. The other day, I was listening to a CD that I hadn't listed to in a while; it had one of my favorite laments on it, sung in its native language: Gaelic. I love the language and even though I cannot understand the words without a printed translation in front of me, the expression and music get the point across.

There is a true love story that goes with this song: In the spring of 1788, Allan Morrison, a sea captain from the Isle of Lewis, left Stornoway to go to Scalpay, Harris, where he was to marry Annie Campbell. Unfortunately, they sailed into a storm and all the crew sank with the vessel. "Ailein Duinn" is the lament Annie composed.

The broken-hearted Annie wasted away through grief and died a few months afterward. Her body was washed ashore near where her fiance's was found.

I've always longed for a love that strong. My great-grandparents had that kind of love for each other. There is only one person who has elicited that kind of emotion in me. Hopefully, I'll get to see him again in the future.

Ailein Duinn (in Gaelic)

Gura mise tha fo eislean,
Moch 's a' mhadainn is mi 'g eirigh,
O hi shiubhlainn leat,
Hi ri bho ho ru bhi,
Hi ri bho ho rionn o ho,
Ailein duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat.

Ma 's e cluasag dhut a' ghainneamh,
Ma 's e leabaidh dhut an fheamainn,
O i shiubhlainn leat,
Hi ri bho ho ru bhi,
Hi ri bho ho rionn o ho,
Ailein duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat.

Ma 's e 'n t-iasg do choinnlean geala,
Ma 's e na roin do luchd-faire,
O hi shiubhlainn leat,
Hi ri bho ho ru bhi,
Hi ri bho ho rionn o ho,
Ailein duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat.

Dh'olainn deoch ge boil le cach e,
De dh'fhuil do choim 's tu 'n deidh do bhathadh,
O hi shiubhlainn leat,
Hi ri bho ho ru bhi,
Hi ri bho ho rionn o ho,
Ailein duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat.

Translation:

How sorrowful I am
When I rise early in the morning
O hi I would walk with you.
Hi ri bho....o ho,
Brown-haired Alan, O hi, I would walk with you.

If the sand be your pillow
If the seaweed be your bed,
O hi I would walk with you
Hi ri bho....o ho,
Brown-haired Alan, O hi, I would walk with you.

If the fish are your candles bright,
If the seals are your watchmen,
O hi I would walk with you,
Hi ri bho....o ho,
Brown-haired Alan, O hi, I would walk with you.

I would take a drink, though everyone would be scandalised,
Of your heart's blood after you were drowned.
O hi I would walk with you,
Hi ri bho...o ho,
Brown-haired Alan, O hi, I would walk with you.