Ailein Duinn
Capercaillie Lyrics
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Gura mise tha fo e/islean,
Moch 's a' mhadainn is mi 'g e/irigh,
O\ hi\ shiu\bhlainn leat,
Hi\ ri bho\ ho\ are you bhi\,
Hi\ ri bho\ ho\ rionn o ho,
Ailein duinn, o\ hi\ shiu\bhlainn leat.
Ma 's e cluasag dhut a' ghainneamh,
Ma 's e leabaidh dhut an fheamainn,
O\ hi\ shiu\bhlainn leat,
Hi\ ri bho\ ho\ are you bhi\,
Hi\ ri bho\ ho\ rionn o ho,
Ailein duinn, o\ hi\ shiu\bhlainn leat.
Ma 's e 'n t-iasg do choinnlean geala,
Ma 's e na ro\in do luchd-faire,
O\ hi\ shiu\bhlainn leat,
Hi\ ri bho\ ho\ are you bhi\,
Hi\ ri bho\ ho\ rionn o ho,
Ailein duinn, o\ hi\ shiu\bhlainn leat.
Dh'o\lainn deoch ge boil le ca\ch e,
De dh'fhuil do choim 's tu 'n de/idh do bhathadh,
O\ hi\ shiu\bhlainn leat,
Hi\ ri bho\ ho\ are you bhi\,
Hi\ ri bho\ ho\ rionn o ho,
Ailein duinn, o\ hi\ shiu\bhlainn leat.
The song "Ailein Duinn" by Capercaillie is a haunting and melancholic Gaelic lament, sung from the perspective of someone in mourning. The singer is waking up early in the morning, and as they do, they are pining for their lost love, Ailein. The lyrics repeat throughout the song as the singer expresses their intense sorrow and longing for Ailein. The singer asks of Ailein's whereabouts, calling out to them, and referencing specific things that Ailein may be doing, such as gathering shells or sleeping by the seaweed.
The imagery in the song is very evocative and powerful, as it conjures up the stark beauty and harshness of the Scottish landscape. The mournful melody, with its minor key and sustained notes, adds to the sense of sadness and longing. Overall, "Ailein Duinn" is a beautiful and haunting tribute to a lost love, and a poignant reminder of the power of music to express deep emotions and connect us to our heritage and history.
Line by Line Meaning
Gura mise tha fo e/islean,
I am under distress and sorrow
Moch 's a' mhadainn is mi 'g e/irigh,
Early in the morning I awaken
O hi shiubhlainn leat,
Oh, that I could travel with you
Hi ri bho ho are you bhi,
Hey ho, you are like no other
Hi ri bho ho rionn o ho,
Hey ho, my king
Ailein duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat.
Dark Alan, oh that I could travel with you
Ma 's e cluasag dhut a' ghainneamh,
If your ear hears the wind
Ma 's e leabaidh dhut an fheamainn,
If seaweed is your bed
Ma 's e 'n t-iasg do choinnlean geala,
If the white-blond haired dog is yours
Ma 's e na roin do luchd-faire,
If the seals are your attendants
Dh'o/lainn deoch ge boil le ca/ch e,
I would drink a drink with anyone
De dh'fhuil do choim 's tu 'n de/idh do bhathadh,
Of your kin, even if you were drowned
O hi shiubhlainn leat,
Oh, that I could travel with you
Hi ri bho ho are you bhi,
Hey ho, you are like no other
Hi ri bho ho rionn o ho,
Hey ho, my king
Ailein duinn, o hi shiubhlainn leat.
Dark Alan, oh that I could travel with you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CAPERCAILLE, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@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.