M'Ionam
Capercaillie Lyrics


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M'ionam air a ghille bheag

M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?

Nuair dh'fhàsas e làidir
'S a dh'fhàgas e'n dùthaich

M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?

M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?

Bidh siùil ri croinn àrda
'S mo ghràdhsa ga stiùireadh

M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?

Nuair ruigeas i na h-Innsean
Thig sìoda 'gam ionnsaigh

M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?

M'ionam air a ghille bheag...

B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
'N teile dhe na heireagan
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
'N teile dhe na heireagan
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach

Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Nam beireadh na heireagan bana
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Nam beireadh na heireagan bana

B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
'N teile dhe na heireagan
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
'N teile dhe na heireagan
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach

Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Nam beireadh na heireagan bana
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh




Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Nam beireadh na heireagan bana

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Capercaillie's "M'Ionam" are in Scottish Gaelic and are mysterious and haunting, conveying a sense of longing and loss. The song seems to be addressed to a small boy, perhaps the singer's own son, asking when he will grow up and be able to take up a gun and a coat, and visit the shop. The singer asks repeatedly, "M'ionam air a ghille bheag," which means "When will my little lad come to me?" The second verse hints at a separation, as the boy becomes strong and leaves the country. The third has the singer reminiscing about walking with her love in the woods, and the fourth speaks of a land of island where silk is waiting.


Throughout the song, there is longing for the child to grow up and come home, a sense of grief, and a hint of optimism about what the future might bring. The repetition of the chorus gives the song a sense of ritual, as though the singer is praying for the child to return. Overall, "M'Ionam" is a beautiful and powerful song that speaks to the heart.


Line by Line Meaning

M'ionam air a ghille bheag
I long for my little lad


Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
When will he give me a gun?


Cuin a bheir e còt'
When will he give me a coat?


Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
And a smack on the shop for me?


Nuair dh'fhàsas e làidir
When he grows strong


'S a dh'fhàgas e'n dùthaich
And leaves the country


Bidh siùil ri croinn àrda
Walking along the tall trees


'S mo ghràdhsa ga stiùireadh
And my love is guiding me


Nuair ruigeas i na h-Innsean
When she reaches the Hebrides


Thig sìoda 'gam ionnsaigh
Silk comes to envelop me


B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
I would rather bear the tell than the ithig


'N teile dhe na heireagan
The tell of the sheaves


Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach
The sheaves of Shleit tomorrow


Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
You would get, oh love, the ewe


Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh
You would get, oh beloved, the ewe


Nam beireadh na heireagan bana
If only the white sheaves were to be reaped




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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@henrymaclean1865

Lyrics in Gaelic:

M'ionam air a ghille bheag
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Nuair dh'fhàsas e làidir
'S a dh'fhàgas e'n dùthaich
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Bidh siùil ri croinn àrda
'S mo ghràdhsa ga stiùireadh
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Nuair ruigeas i na h-Innsean
Thig sìoda 'gam ionnsaigh
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
Cuin a bheir e còt'
Agus cleoc as a' bhùth dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag
Cuin a bheir e gùn dhomh?
M'ionam air a ghille bheag...
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
'N teile dhe na heireagan
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
'N teile dhe na heireagan
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Nam beireadh na heireagan bana
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Nam beireadh na heireagan bana
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
'N teile dhe na heireagan
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
'N teile dhe na heireagan
B'fhearr leam fhin gum beireadh an teile
Dh'eireagan Shleit am maireach
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Nam beireadh na heireagan bana
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghraidh an t-ugh
Gheibheadh tu fhein, a ghaoil an t-ugh
Nam beireadh na heireagan bana



All comments from YouTube:

@neonbluesoda

This was my cat's favorite song. She would always perk up and come over to the computer when I put this on. She passed away yesterday, but this song is helping a little.

@xnotjustadreamx

I'm Scottish, and when I was younger my family used to take me to Perthsire with this cd in the car. So many good memories, driving through the moors, past lochs and mountains, covered in mud after climbing munroes! <3 I'm in Spain on exchange right now and I've never missed Scotland so much!!

@xXxLumesUpInFumesxXx

I'm Irish and stilll I think this song is beautiful. I'm fluent in Irish Gaelic and I can kind of understand Karen. One of my favourites.

@HitTheRoadJack123

yeah me too, just bits, I've been to Scotland and they have a lot of their Gaelic on their road-signs and its seems pretty much the same written, just pronunciation is a good bit different

@JujuSweetieLady777

your country, Scotland, looks so beautiful. I come from Brittany, I love celtic culture, musics, language... LET'S BE PROUD OF BEING CELTS.

@oxilore

Очень красивая песня на красивом языке!!! Большое спасибо!!! Благодарю Вас!!!

@user-uw3wj8mj3n

годнота, Karen Gillan исполнила интереснее

@mrg1956

I love Capercaillie and the slideshow is wonderful. I miss Scotland so much - I just want to go back and stay forever.

@luisalbertoamarillajimenez9996

Que preciosidad de paisajes, ...!!

@CroatiansWithGuitars

One of my favorite songs to sing in Gaelic ;) ~~~Maevey xo

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