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19/10/2009

Tha litir bheag na seachdain-sa aig Ruaraidh MacIllEathain. This week's short letter for learners is introduced by Ruaraidh MacLean.

5 minutes

Last on

Mon 19 Oct 2009 19:00

Clip

An Litir Bheag 232

Gleanna Gollaidh, Gleanna Gollaidh, Gleanna Gollaidh nan craobh, Cò a chì e nach mol e, Gleanna Gollaidh nan craobh. Bidh cuimhne agaibh air an rainn sin bhon t-seachdain sa chaidh. Bha mi ag innse dhuibh mun bhàrd ainmeil à Dùthaich MhicAoidh – Rob Donn. Bha e a’ fuireach fad ùine anns an t-Srath Mhòr, deas air Loch Hòb. Bha e beò anns an ochdamh linn deug. Cha robh na cinn-chinnidh ro thoilichte le Rob. Ann am Bliadhna a’ Phrionnsa, bha cinn-chinnidh Clann ’ic Aoidh taiceil do na Hanobhèirianaich. Ach bha Rob taiceil do na Seumasaich. Seo rann a sgrìobh e: Nis, a Theàrlaich Òig Stiùbhairt, Riut tha dùil aig gach fine Chaidh a chothachadh crùin dhut ’S a leig an dùthaich na teine;An uair sin tha e a’ samhlachadh nam fineachan mar nathraichean. Tha iad mar nathraichean falaicht’ A chaill an earradh an-uiridh Ach tha ’g ath-ghleusadh an gathan Gu èirigh latha do thighinn. A bharrachd air sin, bha na h-uachdarain a’ cur stad air daoine bho bhith a’ sealg nam fiadh. Bha Rob Donn nan aghaidh. Bha esan dhen dhualchas nan Gàidheal a bhith a’ sealg nam fiadh. Seo pìos beag a sgrìobh e mu a bhràthair, Dòmhnall: Bha fuil am broilleach do lèine, ’S cha b’ e fuil na gaibhre cèire Ach fuil an fhèidh a bha san dàmhair, ’S cha bu mhèirleach Dòmhnallan Dubh. Hogaidh hò, mo Dhòmhnallan Dubh, Sealgair sìthne, Dòmhnallan Dubh, ’S fear neo-bhruidhneach, Dòmhnallan Dubh, ’S gheibh e an nì a chionn a bhith ruith. Tha cuid a’ smaoineachadh gum b’ fheudar do Rob gluasad a-mach às an t-Srath Mhòr. Bha e an uair sin a’ fuireach air a’ chladach. Agus cha robh e idir faisg air Gleanna Gollaidh. ’S dòcha gur ann an uair sin a sgrìobh e an dàn Gleanna Gollaidh: Ri faicinn crìoch àrdain Ga mo bhreugadh gu taobh, ’S ann a smuainich mi fanadh An Gleanna Gollaidh nan craobh. Gleanna Gollaidh, Gleanna Gollaidh, Gleanna Gollaidh nan craobh, Cò a chì e nach mol e, Gleanna Gollaidh nan craobh.

The Little Letter 232

Glen Golly, Glen Golly, Glen Golly of the trees Who could see it and not praise it, Glen Golly of the trees You’ll remember that verse from last week. I was telling you about the famous poet from the Mackay Country – Rob Donn (“brown-haired Rob”). He was living for a time in Strath More, south of Loch Hope. He was alive in the Eighteenth Century. The clan chiefs weren’t too pleased with Rob. In the Year of the Prince (1745-6), the chiefs of the Mackays were supportive of the Hanoverians. But Rob was supportive of the Jacobites. Here’s a verse he wrote: Now, young Charles Stewart Every clan places its hope in you That sought to crown you And set the country alight; Then he represents the clans as snakes. They’re like hidden snakes Which cast their skins last year But are making ready their fangs To arise on the day of your coming. Not only that, but the chiefs were stopping people from hunting the deer. Rob Donn was against them. He was of the opinion that it was part of the Gaels’ heritage to be hunting the deer. Here’s a wee piece he wrote about his brother, Donald: There was blood on the front of your shirt, And it wasn’t the blood of the dark goat But the blood of the deer in the rut And he was no robber, black-haired wee Donald. Hogaidh hò, my Donald Dubh Hunter of venison, Donald Dubh, Not a talkative man, Donald Dubh And he’ll have a reward for the chase. Some people think that Rob had to move out of Strath More. Then he was then living on the shore. And he wasn’t at all near Glen Golly. Perhaps it is then that he wrote the poem Gleanna Gollaidh: The view of the frontier heights Is enticing me yonder And I thought I would stay In Glen Golly of the trees. Glen Golly, Glen Golly, Glen Golly of the trees Who could see it and not praise it, Glen Golly of the trees. 

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  • Mon 19 Oct 2009 19:00

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Tha gach Litir Bheag an seo / All the Little Letters are here.

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