Biography

John Campbell, Iain mac Dhòmhnaill 'ic Iain Bhàin, was born in South Boisdale, South Uist on the 13th of May 1855, into a family renowned for their musical ability.

He married Mary Campbell, daughter of Iain Ruadh from Lochcarnan, on the 28th of November 1893. They lived there for a while after they married, and she was a pupil-teacher. Mary was good at singing, and Margaret Fay Shaw recorded many songs from her.

Early in the twentieth century, the family moved to South Lochboisdale. John was known as Iain Clachair, as he was a stonemason, and was one of the masons who built the Church at Castlebay, Barra.

Regarding his poetry, his talent was hereditary, as John MacInnes (Iain Pheadair) told BBC Radio nan Gàidheal on 31 December 1997:

"Iain mac Dhòmhnaill 'ic Iain Bhàin was the eldest of the children of Dòmhnall mac Iain Bhàin, and he had sons who were good at singing. John, the eldest, and Angus John, and especially Ruairidh, who was known as 'An Case’. And James, he was just as good."

There was another boy, Donald, and three girls, Mary Flora, Annie, and Mary in the family as well. Besides Òran na Briogais, Iain Clachair composed many other humorous and satirical songs, including A' Chutaidh Ghlas and Ged Thug an t-Uisge-Beatha Sin mo Char Asam A-raoir.

John died at 465 South Lochboisdale on the 25th of May 1934, aged 79.

We are grateful to Donald Ruairidh Caimbeul, grandson of John Campbell, for this information.

List of compositions

Dèan Bà Bà Mo Leanabh
Mi an Seo Nam Ònar
Òran na Briogais