Julie Fowlis

An Eala Bhàn → English translation

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1 translations of covers
Norwegian

Proofreading requested

Original lyrics

An Eala Bhàn

Gur duilich leam mar tha mi

's mo chridhe 'n sàs aig bròn

bhon an uair a dh'fhàg mi

beanntan àrd a'cheò,

gleanntannan a'mhànrain

nan loch, nam bàgh, 's nan stròm

's an eala bhàn 'tha tamh ann

gach là air 'm bheil mi'n tòir.

A Mhagaidh na bi tùrsach

a rùin, ged gheibhinn bàs.

Cò am fear am measg an t-sluaigh

a mhaireas buan gu bràth?

Chan eil sinn uileadh ach air chuairt

mar dhìthein buaile fàs

bheir siantannan na bhliadhna sìos

's nach tog a'ghrian an àird.

Air m'uilinn anns na truinnseachan

tha m'inntinn ort, a ghràidh.

Nam chadal bidh mi 'bruadar ort,

cha dualach dhomh bhith slàn.

Tha m'aigne air a' lìonadh

le cianalas cho làn,

's a' ghruag a dh'fhàs cho ruadh orm

a-nis air thuar bhith bàn.

Mas e 's gu bheil e 'n dàn dhomh

o'n bhlàr gu'n till mi beò,

is gu'm faic mi'n t-àite

's an deachaidh m'àrach òg,

bidh sinne 's crathadh làmh againn

is bilean blàth toirt phòg,

's mo ghealltanas bidh pàighte dhut

le fàinne chur mu d'mheòir.

Ach ma thig an t-àm

is anns an Fhraing gu'm faigh mi bàs,

's an uaigh gu'n tèid mo shineadh

far éil na mìltean chàch,

mo bheannachd leis a'ghruagaich,

a'chaileag uasal bhàn,

gach latha a dh'fhalbh gun uallach dhi

gun nàire gruaidh na dhàil.

Oidhche mhath leat fhéin, a rùin,

nad leabaidh chùbhraidh bhlàth,

cadal sàmhach air a chùl

's do dhùsgadh sunndach slàn.

Tha mise 'seo 'san truinnsidh fhuair

nam chluaisean fuaim a bhàis,

gun dùil ri faighinn às le buaidh

tha'n cuan cho buan ri shnàmh.

Submitted by

michealt on 2015-03-23

Last edited by

breiz on 2023-05-30

Submitter's comments:

This is (part of) a love poem/song by Domhnall Ruadh Chorùna who served in the trenches during the first world war, was badly wounded on the Somme and repatriated. He returned to France to fight again as soon as he was fit enough. He wrote the poem in 1916. He survived, and after the war married Anna Ruairidh 'ic Neill, not the Magaidh NicLeòid addressed by this song. Domhnull died in 1967 (I think) so the poem is still in copyright in the UK until 2047 (I think).

The copyright notice provided by MusicMatch was incorrect - Capercaillie have performed some of this song, but they wrote none of it so have no copyright to the lyrics. Regrettably I can't edit that notice to correct it.
Note years later: something has successfully removed the misleading copyright statement.

Translation

The white swan

I reckon I'm in a pretty sorry state

with my heart being seized by sadness

from the time when I left

the high mist-shrouded hills,

the little valleys filled with lovesongs,

with their lochs, bays, and streams.

and the white swan who stays there

every day when I am hunting.

Magaidh, don't be unhappy

my dear, even if I should die.

What man amongst all people

can live eternally, for ever?

We are all just visiting,

like daisies in an empty fold,

the year's wind and rain will bring them down

and the sun won't pick them up.

Kneeling in the trenches

my mind's on you, love.

When I sleep I dream of you,

and I don't expect to survive.

My thoughts are filled with

overwhelming sorrow,

and my hair that was so red,

now it's almost white.

If it is fated for me

to return living from the battlefield,

and I see again the place

where I was brought up,

we'll have ourselves and clasping hands

and warm lips giving kisses,

and my promise will be fulfilled for you

by placing a ring on your finger.

But if the time comes

and I die in France,

and I'm placed in a grave

where there are thousands of others,

my blessings will be with the maid,

the fair noble girl,

let each day pass without troubles for her

and let her have no contact with shame.

Good night, my love,

in your warm fragrant bed,

may you have a peaceful sleep, and then

awaken in health and happiness.

I'm here in the cold trench,

in my ears the racket of death,

with no expectation of getting out victorious,

the sea takes so long to swim.

Thanks! ❤
thanked 59 times

User	Time ago
hbmcd02	3 years 3 months
liana2010	9 years 2 weeks

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Submitted by

michealt on 2015-03-23

Last edited by

michealt on 2015-04-02

The author of translation requested proofreading.
It means that he/she will be happy to receive corrections, suggestions etc about the translation.
If you are proficient in both languages of the language pair, you are welcome to leave your comments.

Julie Fowlis: Top 3

1.	Dh’èirich Mi Moch Madainn Cheòthar
2.	Òran an Ròin
3.	Hùg Air A' Bhonaid Mhòir

Comments

Ontano Magico

Wed, 21/04/2021 - 14:50

english version Calum MacLean in Cruinneachadh Chaluim (Calum's Collection)
I
I’m feeling sad
My heart is full of sorrow
Since the time I left
The high misty mountains,
The glens of young women,
The lochs, the bays and creeks
The white swan that dwells on their waters
Whom my daily thoughts pursue.
II
I’m here in this wilderness
On the battleground and I injured,
The enemy has aggrieved me
With a painful arrow in my side.
My hearing is deafened
By the roar of the big gun;
But though this time is hard for me
My thoughts are on the MacLeod lass.
III
O Mary, don’t worry,
Love, if I should die
Who among men
Endures eternally?
We’re here only on life’s journey
Like flowers in deserted cattle-fold
That a year’s wind and rain will bring down
And the sun will not arise.
VI
But if it is my fate
That I should get out of France alive
To see the place
Where I was brought up.
You and I shall clasp hands
And our warm lips shall kiss,
And my promise to you shall be fulfilled
With a gold ring upon your finger.

the original poem in https://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/foghlam/larachnambard/poets/domhnall_ruadh/ba...
my considerations in https://terreceltiche.altervista.org/an-eala-bhan-the-white-swan/

About translator

michealt

Name: Tom Thomson

Role: Retired Editor

Contributions: 1211 translations, 185 songs, 7935 thanks received, 794 translation requests fulfilled for 307 members, 25 transcription requests fulfilled, added 26 idioms, explained 38 idioms, left 1956 comments

Languages: native English, Gaelic (Scottish Gaelic), fluent French, Spanish, beginner German, Italian, Latin, Russian, French (Middle French), Gaelic (Irish Gaelic)

Julie Fowlis

An Eala Bhàn → English translation

An Eala Bhàn

The white swan