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.

Finlay's
Capercaillie Lyrics

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Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige...

Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige
Ged nach pósda e feasda
Cha teid Fionnladh a dh'Eige
Dh'Eige cha teid Fionnlagh
Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige
Ged nach pósda e feasda

Cha teid Fionnladh a dh'Eige
Dh'Eige cha teid Fionnlagh

Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar

Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige...

Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar

Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige
Ged nach pósda e feasda
Cha teid Fionnladh a dh'Eige
Dh'Eige cha teid Fionnlagh
Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige
Ged nach pósda e feasda
Cha teid Fionnladh a dh'Eige
Dh'Eige cha teid Fionnlagh

Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar

Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige...

Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige
Ged nach pósda e feasda
Cha teid Fionnladh a dh'Eige
Dh'Eige cha teid Fionnlagh
Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige
Ged nach pósda e feasda
Cha teid Fionnladh a dh'Eige
Dh'Eige cha teid Fionnlagh

Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar

Ceann ruadh air a nighean
Buidhe ruadh air a nighean
Ceann ruadh air a nighean
Mar a bh'air a máthair
Ceann ruadh air a nighean
Buidhe ruadh air a nighean
Ceann ruadh air a nighean
Mar a bh'air a máthair

Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Seatadh e'n t-urlar

Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige...

Overall Meaning

The Gaelic lyrics of Capercaillie's song "Finlay's" describe the inability of Finlay to attend a wedding feast, despite being invited. The repetitive chorus of "Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige" roughly translates to "Finlay won't go to Eige," which is the location of the wedding. Even though Finlay is not married, he chooses not to attend the feast as he has no money to contribute. The song goes on to mention another person, Ailean, who is asked to bring a yellow-haired woman to the feast to sit beside Finlay. The end of the song features a verse talking about the appearance of the woman with yellow hair and how it resembles that of her mother's.

The song is a traditional Scottish folk song that has been passed down through generations. Sung primarily in Gaelic, it features a repetitive chorus that makes it easy to remember and sing along to. Through its lyrics, it describes the importance of generosity and the ideal of contributing to a social gathering in any way possible. The song's melody is catchy and uplifting, capturing the upbeat nature of a wedding feast.

Line by Line Meaning

Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige
Finnlay won't go to Eig, a village in small Shetland islands

Ged nach pósda e feasda
Although he's not married, it doesn't matter to him

Cha teid Fionnladh a dh'Eige
Finnlay won't go to Eig, a village in small Shetland islands

Dh'Eige cha teid Fionnlagh
Finnlay won't go to Eig, a village in small Shetland islands

Cha teid Fionnlagh a dh'Eige
Finnlay won't go to Eig, a village in small Shetland islands

Ged nach pósda e feasda
Although he's not married, it doesn't matter to him

Cha teid Fionnladh a dh'Eige
Finnlay won't go to Eig, a village in small Shetland islands

Dh'Eige cha teid Fionnlagh
Finnlay won't go to Eig, a village in small Shetland islands

Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Bring Ailean to me

Ailean thugam, Ailean thugam
Ailean come to me

Thoir a nall Ailean thugam
Bring Ailean to me

Seatadh e'n t-urlar
He used to sit on the floor