A State of Yearning
Capercaillie Lyrics

The song "A State of Yearning" by Capercaillie is a beautiful and haunting ballad that expresses the feeling of isolation and longing of someone who is far away from their loved one. The singer's voice is filled with sadness and melancholy, as she describes how she feels empty and alone. The opening lines, "Tha fadachd orm fhin, mo ghaol a nochd air bhar a chuain" (I'm lonely tonight, my love is on the sea tonight), sets the mood for the entire song. She is longing for her love to return to her, but as the night grows darker and colder, she feels more and more despair.

Throughout the song, the singer describes the bleakness of her situation - the wet and cold night, the mist on the hill, the long distance between her and her love. She also expresses her fear that he might not return to her at all, as she sings "Ach nach saoil sibh fhein, nach truagh domh sa nochd a bhith" (But don't you think yourselves, it's sad for me to be alone tonight). However, she ends the song with a message of hope and blessing to her loved ones, expressing her desire to be reunited with them soon.

Overall, "A State of Yearning" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the universal theme of separation and longing. The lyrics are beautifully written, and the haunting melody and traditional Scottish instruments give the song a timeless quality that makes it resonate with audiences even today.