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Gu Dè A-nis a Nì Mise?

Fieldworkers
Date 02 November 1950
Track ID 26531
Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

CW0110A.503

Original Tape ID

CW0110A

Summary

In the first section of this waulking song, the composer asks: "What will I do if my knee is broken? I cannot walk without support." In the section which follows the composer asks the women to waulk energetically. There are four of them, but they really need eight and a suitable person "at the helm".

The song goes on to speak of a journey to Lewis. They would also call in Dunvegan, home of Ruairidh mac Iain, the MacLeod chief, in order to get a galley. After January, it will be newly mended.

Item Notes

24 lines sung plus choruses. Singers ascribe this song to Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh.

See:
'Hebridean Folksongs' vol. 1, no. XVII

Other versions:
'105 Songs of Occupation from the Western Isles of Scotland' (Frances Tolmie) no. 58 (tune, 14 lines of text and translation)
'Òrain Màiri Nighean Alasdair Ruaidh' (K. C. Craig) p. 37
Father Allan MacDonald manuscript, folios 15 & 65
Donald MacLachlan's manuscript, p. 5 (24 lines)

Recording Location

County - Inverness-shire

Parish - South Uist

Island - South Uist

Village/Place - Eochar

Language

Gaelic

Genre

Song

Collection

Canna

Source Type

Wire

Audio Quality

Good