Lyrics Julie Fowlis – ‘Ille Dhuinn, ‘S Toiigh Leam Thu

’Ille Dhuinn, ’S Toigh Leam Thu
’Ille dhuinn, ’s toigh leam thu,
’S toigh leam fhìn thu, laochain;
Mas toigh leat mi, is toigh leam thu ‑

Dh’fhalbh mi mar a b’ àbhaist dhomh
Air sàillibh coimhead chaorach ‑
’S beag a bha dhem fhor orra,
’S mo leannan air a’ chaolas.

Nuair dhìrich mi suas Criongrabhal,
’S e m’ inntinn nach robh aotrom ‑
Bha ’m bàta mach gu Saighdeanais,
’S i toidhdidh fo cuid aodaich.

’S ann a their mo phàrantan
Gur tàmailt leotha m’ fhaoineas ‑
Gum faighinn fear na b’ fheàrr na thu
Le bàtaichean ’s le birlinn.

Ged gheibhinn fear na b’ fheàrr na thu
Le bàtaichean ’s le birlinn,
Gum b’ fheàrr leam fhìn an gille donn
Is e gun bhonn dhen t‑saoghal.

Ged gheall mi dhut gun leanainn thu
’S gun dealaichinn ri mo dhaoine,
Cha d’ rachainn dha Na Hearadh leat
Air cheannachd air an t‑saoghal.

Ged a bhithinn pòsta riut
Is còir agam air d’ fhaotainn,
Cha b’ fhada bhithinn beò agad
’S an Dòmhnallach às m’ aonais.

Brown-haired Lad, I’m Fond of You

I set off as usual
to look for the sheep
but scant attention gave I to them,
knowing my beloved was in the strait.

When I climbed Criongrabhal,
my spirits were low –
the ship, with well-trimmed sails,
was out near Saighdeanais.

My parents say that
my foolishness is a source of shame to them –
that I could attract a better man than you,
an owner of ships and galleys.

Though I could have a better man than you,
an owner of ships and galleys,
I would much prefer the brown-haired lad
though he hadn’t a penny in the world.

Though I promised you I’d follow you
and part company from my people,
nothing in the world
could induce me to go to Harris.

I wouldn’t survive long if married to you,
while pining for MacDonald.