Ailein duinn
Trobar de Morte Lyrics


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Gura mise tha fo éislean
Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'éirigh

Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiubhlainn leat
Ma 's e 'n cluasag dhut a' ghaineamh
Ma 's e leabaidh dhut an fheamainn

Ma 's e 'n t-iasg do choinnlean geala
Ma 's e na ròin do luchd-faire





Dh'òlainn deoch ge b' oil le càch e
De dh'fhuil do choim 's tu 'n déidh do bhathadh

Overall Meaning

The song "Ailein Duinn" by Trobar de Morte is a haunting piece in Scottish Gaelic that speaks about a deep sense of sorrow and longing. The first verse finds the singer lamenting about being in a state of despair, indicating a sense of lethargy and hopelessness. However, the next line sees a transformation, where the singer is able to rise and face the world despite the gloom. The passage "Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat, Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì" is somewhat of a rallying cry, where the singer urges someone to come along with them on this journey, offering a hand of friendship and a glimmer of hope.


The rest of the song takes a more poetic turn where the singer speaks about the connection they share with nature, referencing items such as sand, seaweed and seal to illustrate a sort of kinship that transcends the human world. However, the final stanza takes a dark turn, as the singer speaks about consuming a drink that is said to have been mixed with the blood of someone who died in a watery grave. This final stanza is where the song reaches its climax, as the tone is filled with sorrow and grief, almost as if the singer is trying to drown their sorrow to ease their aching heart.


Overall, the song seems to be about finding solace in the natural world in a time of great sorrow, whilst also expressing a sense of dark melancholy and thirst for comfort that is hard to articulate.


Line by Line Meaning

Gura mise tha fo éislean
I am in sorrow


Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'éirigh
Early in the morning I rise


Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat
Oh, I would travel with you


Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hey, King, ho ro


Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Hey, King, ho ro


Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiubhlainn leat
Dark-Haired Alan, oh, I would travel with you


Ma 's e 'n cluasag dhut a' ghaineamh
If it's the sand for your ears


Ma 's e leabaidh dhut an fheamainn
If it's the seaweed for your bed


Ma 's e 'n t-iasg do choinnlean geala
If it's the fish with white flesh


Ma 's e na ròin do luchd-faire
If it's the seals for the watchmen


Dh'òlainn deoch ge b' oil le càch e
I would drink a drink that everyone would like


De dh'fhuil do choim 's tu 'n déidh do bhathadh
From the blood of your body after you have drowned




Contributed by Adeline J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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