Gu Dé Nist a Nì Mise
Track Information
Original Track ID
CW0007B.16
Original Tape ID
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 go to Lewis, and we would call on Rory, son of Iain in Dunvegan."
Item Notes
18 lines sung plus choruses. Recorded during a cèilidh arranged by Mr Calum Maclean of the Irish Folklore Commission. This song is traditionally ascribed to Mary MacLeod (Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh). 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. 1948) p. 37
Recording Location
County - Inverness-shire
Parish - South Uist
Island - Benbecula
Language
Gaelic
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Wire
Audio Quality
Good