Biography

Twenty-nine songs by Calum Gillies were published in the book Smeòrach nan Cnoc 's nan Gleann, edited by Bernard Gillis and Professor P. J. Nicolson in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It was published in Glasgow in 1939. In the introduction, Donald MacFarlane wrote: "Were it not for the fame of some of Calum Gillies' songs in every area where Gaelic is still alive, this book might never have been published."

Among those songs are Òran do Cheap Breatainn, Am Bràighe, Òran a' Bhàta, Màiri Lurach, Moladh a' Chùil, Bàl na h-Aibhne Deas, Òran do Dhonnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir, Òran an Taghaidh, and probably one of the most frequently heard songs in Scotland today, Nighean Donn a' Chùil Rèidh:

'S e do chòmhradh, a rùin,
Cainnt as ceòlmhoire leam
Na guth smeòraich an dlùth-choill' nan craobh,
No bog thorman nan allt
Tighinn o àirigh nan gleann
'S mi sa mhoch-mhadainn shamhraidh rin taobh.

Tha do nàdar, a luaidh
Coibhneil, càirdeil, gun ghruaim,
Gur e d' àilleachd thug buaidh air gach tè;
Dh'èireadh m' aigne le sunnd
Nuair a choinnicheadh tu rium,
'S chuirinn fàilt' air nighean donn a' chùil rèidh.

MacFarlane mentions the bard was born in the parish of St Joseph, Southwest Margaree on Cape Breton Island. His family came from Morar and Calum's patronymic was Calum Eòghainn 'ic Aonghais 'ic Caluim 'ic Dhòmhnaill 'ic Dhonnchaidh. As MacFarlane said:

"He was a man on whom God bestowed many talents; and although he had no more formal education than could be obtained in common schools, he made good use of what he had. He spent many years teaching, but that did not prevent him from being diligent in any work that might come his way, and he performed just as skilfully as a wood and leather craftsman.

He composed many beautiful songs in English, he played the fiddle, pipes, and organ well, and he was well regarded by all. He spent the last part of his life farming in his father's town, where he was very successful. He raised a large family, most of whom are musicians.

He would not usually write poetry, except as a pastime, and there is no doubt he would have produced more work if he suspected the day would come when there would be widespread demand for his songs to be published."

Calum Gillies died in September 1929, aged 73.

List of compositions

Nighean Donn a' Chùil Rèidh
'S e Mo Dhùthaich a Dh'fhàg Mi