Aiilein Duinn
Capercaillie Lyrics


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Gura mise tha fo eislean
Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'eirigh
O hi shiubhlainn leat,
Hi ri bho, ho rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat

Ma 's'en cluasag dhuit a ghaineanih
Ma 'se leabaidh dhut an gheamainn
O hi shiubhlainn leat,
Hi ri bho, ho rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat

Ma 's en t-iasg do choinlean geala
Ma 's na Righ do luchd-faire
O hi shiubhlainn leat,




Hi ri bho, ho rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat

Overall Meaning

The song "Aiilein Duinn" by Capercaillie is a hauntingly beautiful piece that captures the somber emotions of the singer. The lyrics talk about the singer's state of mind, as they wake up early in the morning feeling low and depressed. They express their desire to go on a journey with someone, singing "Hi Shiubhlainn Leat", asking the person to join them. The use of the Gaelic language in the lyrics adds to the mystical and otherworldly quality of the song.


In the second verse, the singer asks if there is a bed for them in the winter or if there is music to listen to. The next line talks about a bright-colored fish and people loyal to the king. The singer's desire to escape their current state of mind is evident in these lines, as they seek comfort and distraction from their worries.


Overall, the song exudes a sense of longing and sadness, enhanced by the slow-paced and melancholic melody. It captures the essence of the Celtic spirit, with its raw emotion and poetic lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

Gura mise tha fo eislean
I am in sorrow and despair


Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'eirigh
Early this morning I arose


O hi shiubhlainn leat
Oh, I would journey with you


Hi ri bho, ho rinn o ho
Hey there, we're off!


Ailein Duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat
Dark-haired Alan, oh, I would journey with you


Ma 's'en cluasag dhuit a ghaineanih
If you would listen to my pleading


Ma 'se leabaidh dhut an gheamainn
If you need a resting place for the winter


Ma 's en t-iasg do choinlean geala
If your dogfish are ever-white


Ma 's na Righ do luchd-faire
If you are a favorite of the kings


O hi shiubhlainn leat
Oh, I would journey with you


Hi ri bho, ho rinn o ho
Hey there, we're off!


Ailein Duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat
Dark-haired Alan, oh, I would journey with you




Contributed by Joseph B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@azazelswings

I know this is a little late and I'm irish gaelic speaking, not scottish gaelic but they are somewhat similar. Here is my best try love.

I wish I were under your bier,
Early in the morning when I rise.
I would go with you,
Brown-haired Alan.

If sand is to be your pillow
And seaweed your bed,
I would go with you,
Brown-haired Alan.

If the fish are to be your bright candles
And the seals your mourners,
I would go with you,
Brown-haired Alan.

I would drink as readily as any
From the blood of your body after your drowning.
I would go with you,
Brown-haired Alan.

Slán go fóill



@jamesstuart2076

I really enjoy this beautiful but sad song. Here is the first part of the text and translation from the Internet.

Gura mise tha fo éislean How sorrowful I am
Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'éirigh Early in the morning rising

Sèist: Chorus (after each verse):
Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat Ò hì, I would go with you
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with you

Ma 's'en cluasag dhuit a ghaineamh If your pillow is the sand
Ma 'se leabaidh dhut an gheamainn If your bed is the seaweed



All comments from YouTube:

@rudolfaudi80

ENGLISH TRANSLATION How sorrowful I am Early in the morning rising Chorus (after each verse): Ò hì, I would go with thee Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with thee If it is thy pillow the sand If it is thy bed the seaweed If it is the fish thy candles bright If it is the seals thy watchmen I would drink, though all would abhor it Of thy heart's blood after thy drowning RESPECT FROM ALBANIA ....THIS SONG MAKES ME CRY EVERY TIME I HEAR IT ......

@jawadkadar2649

Thanks a lot bro for the translation.
Same like you this song make me so sad when i heard it

@user-iv3gd2lu9i

Non si sentiva assolutamente il bisogno di una traduzione in inglese... La canzone è in un bellissimo e dolcemente musicale gaelico e così deve restare....

@denislobanov7582

I have been loving this beautiful song for years since I heard it for the first time. Charming music and Gaelic language. Greetings to Scotland from Altai!

@TheEzekiel33Watchman

Love that you appreciate the beautiful Galllic tongue. I have deep roots in the Scottish Highlands.

@godrykfusrodah6305

Haha I always thought it is one of asian languages!

@thecowboy9698

This is probably one of the most beautiful songs I think I have ever heard.

@alixjamieson2177

My mother played Betty in the same film this song appears in! :) Such a beautiful melancholy ballad I could sing it all day

@playfuljaydog

It is a very frequent earworm of mine! LOL Good thing I love it so much! =D

@Magister365

I saw Capercaillie live at the Cheltenham Town Hall a few years ago. It was AMAZING. The music, the vocals, all of it just blew us all away.

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