Biography

The Uist song 'Ille Dhuinn on dh'Fhàg Thu Mise is also known as Òran Bean Dhòmhnaill Sheumais, referring to Anna MacKay (née MacLeod) (1866-1936) from Bualadubh in Iochdar. She came from a family known as Clann Phàdraig, who were renowned for their musical talents. Her father was John MacLeod (c.1822-1916) and her mother was Mary MacPherson (born c.1831). They married in 1859.

Ann married Donald James MacKay, whose family was from Carnan in Iochdar, Clann Dhòmhnaill 'ic Aonghais 'ic Dhòmhnaill Òig. After they married, they moved to Gerinish.

Anna wrote 'Ille Dhuinn on dh'Fhàg Thu Mise when her son, Donald, left for North America on the passenger ship Metagama. The song reflects her thoughts and sorrow that she might never see him again, and expresses feelings shared by many at the time. When she mentioned that he was singing a "pretty song", it seems this was Young Munro, a song that was popular at the time:

Young Munro, bidh Charlie agams',
Young Munro, I do love you!
Young Munro, bidh Charlie agams',
Handsome Charlie, young Munro.

When Catriona Garbutt first learned the song, there were mixed up verses and missing verses:

"I took what I had of it to someone who many people would go to for information about songs, Ceit Dhonnchaidh Chlachair, sister of the poet Dòmhnall Iain Dhonnchaidh, and she arranged it for me. 'Go now,' she said, 'to Màiri Dhonnchaidh Sheumais - that's the Màiri who is named in the song. Sing the song to her to see if you have it right.' And so I did."

Catriona Garbutt then taught the song to many singers, including Margaret MacLellan, who performed it at the Traditional Gold Medal at the National Mòd.

List of compositions

Ille Dhuinn On Dh'fhàg Thu Mise