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Gu Dè A-nist a Nì Mise ma Bhristear Mo Ghlùin?

Contributors
Date 19 June 1970
Track ID 105334
Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1970.134

Original Tape ID

SA1970.134

Summary

In the first section of this waulking song, the composer asks what will happen if she fractures her knee. She reveals that her little house is in need of thatching, and a drip is falling on her.

In the second section there is a change of subject, and the composer asks those with her to waulk vigorously. She says: "Four of us are here, one more than three. We would really need eight and one at the helm. We would call on Rory, son of Iain in Dunvegan."


Item Notes

This song is traditionally ascribed to Mary MacLeod (Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh). It incites the women to waulk the cloth with vigour. However, it has been suggested that in its original form, the song could have been linked with rowing.

See:
'Hebridean Folksongs' vol. 1 (J. L. Campbell & F. Collinson eds., 1969) p. 94
'Òrain Luaidh Màiri Nighean Alasdair' (K. C. Craig ed., 1949) p. 37

Recording Location

County - Inverness-shire

Parish - South Uist

Island - South Uist

Village/Place - Eochar

Language

Gaelic

Genre

Song

Collection

SoSS

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good