Capercaillie is a folk band founded in Oban, Scotland in the 1980s by Donal… Read Full Bio ↴Capercaillie is a folk band founded in Oban, Scotland in the 1980s by Donald Shaw and fronted by Karen Matheson. They recorded their first album, Cascade, in 1984. Their 1992 EP Coisich, a Rùin was the first ever Scottish Gaelic language record to reach the UK Top 40 singles chart. They have also pioneered the integration of divergent styles, including some electronics and African rhythms, into their music, though it is still primarily Scottish folk music.

At Dawn of Day
Capercaillie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Cailleach liath Rathasai
Na ceudan a tathaich oirr
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Cailleach reamhar Ronai
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Na ceudan a tathaich oirr
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Cailleach reamhar Ronai

Cailleach dhubh nan cudaigean
'S ioma gin a shluig thu dhiu
Cailleach dhubh nan cudaigean
Cailleach luideach Ronai
Cailleach dhubh nan cudaigean
'S ioma gin a shluig thu dhiu
Cailleach dhubh nan cudaigean
Cailleach luideach Ronai

Cailleach liath Rathasai
Na ceudan a tathaich oirr
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Cailleach reamhar Ronai
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Na ceudan a tathaich oirr
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Cailleach reamhar Ronai

Cailleach liath Shligeachain
'A bheist tha mo phriobaid oirr'
Cailleach liath Shligeachain
'S cailleach chliobach mhor i
Cailleach liath Shligeachain
'A bheist tha mo phriobaid oirr'
Cailleach liath Shligeachain
'S cailleach chliobach mhor i

Cailleach liath Rathasai
Na ceudan a tathaich oirr
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Cailleach reamhar Ronai
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Na ceudan a tathaich oirr
Cailleach liath Rathasai
Cailleach reamhar Ronai

Cailleach liath Shligeachain
'A bheist tha mo phriobaid oirr'
Cailleach liath Shligeachain
'S cailleach chliobach mhor i
Cailleach liath Shligeachain
'A bheist tha mo phriobaid oirr'
Cailleach liath Shligeachain
'S cailleach chliobach mhor i

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o
O siuthadaibh, siuthadaibh a mhnathan
E ho haori u o ho

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o
O luadhaibh athaiseach leam
E ho haori u o ho

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o
O ma theid mi air m'adhart
E ho haori u o ho

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o
O nì mi tadhal 'san Dùn
E ho haori u o ho

Air fair all ill o...

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o
O far bheil Ruairidh MacIain
E ho haori u o ho

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o

E ho haori u o ho

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o

E ho haori u o ho

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o

E ho haori u o ho

Air fair all ill o...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Capercaillie's song "At Dawn of Day" are written in Gaelic and refer to a collection of old women or "cailleachs" from different regions in Scotland. These women are described with different qualities and characteristics, but are all powerful in their own right. The lyrics evoke a sense of mystery and reverence towards these women, who are depicted as ancient and wise.

The song begins with a repetition of the phrase "Cailleach liath Rathasai" which translates to "grey old woman of Rossie". This woman is described as one of many who have passed through the region over the years, indicating a sense of continuity and lineage. This is followed by the description of the "Cailleach dhubh nan cudaigean" or "black old woman of the crests" who carries a burden of slates on her back. The third verse introduces the "Cailleach liath Shligeachain" or "grey old woman of the crags" who is described as a "beast" or a creature of power.

The song continues with repetitions of these verses and the chorus, which is largely non-verbal and consists of Gaelic vocalizations. The final verse introduces another figure, Ruairidh MacIain, who is not described as a cailleach but becomes a part of the song's repetitive structure. Overall, the lyrics to "At Dawn of Day" evoke a sense of reverence and awe towards Scotland's landscape and the powerful people who have lived there for generations.

Line by Line Meaning

Cailleach liath Rathasai
Grey haired old woman from Rathasai

Na ceudan a tathaich oirr
The hundreds that came before her

Cailleach reamhar Ronai
Fat old woman from Ronai

Cailleach dhubh nan cudaigean
Black old woman of the wilds

'S ioma gin a shluig thu dhiu
Many a trick have you played on her

Cailleach luideach Ronai
Lazy old woman from Ronai

Cailleach liath Shligeachain
Grey haired old woman from Sligeachain

'A bheist tha mo phriobaid oirr'
A beast that owns my treasures

'S cailleach chliobach mhor i
And a big limping old woman she is

Air fair all ill o hao ri ri o
On that day, on that beautiful day

O siuthadaibh, siuthadaibh a mhnathan
Women move gently