In the “Outlander” book Diana Gabaldon narrates the journey through time of Claire Randall who, crossing a circle of stones near Inverness (Scotland), is magically catapulted two hundred years back in the mid-eighteenth century. Runned into some highlanders, she is taken to Castel Leoch to meet the chief clan, Colum McKenzie.
In the evening entertainment the Welsh bard Gwyllyn (Gillebrìde MacMillan) performs two song “The Woman of Balnain” and “Gradh Geal Mo Chridhe” (Fair love of my Heart) a scottish slow air in which a man is heartbroken after being forsaken by the girl he loves, rearranged by Marjorie Kennedy-Fraser as Eriskay Love Lilt because she listened the gaelic song at Eriskay.
Bheir Mi Ò/Gradh Geal Mo Chridhe
Contributors – Marion MacInnes from Tobar Dualchais
Summary – This is a love song in which a man remembers how he used to meet the girl he loved. His love for her has made him very sad. He is not yet married but hopes he will be. He promises that he will work hard, so that the couple can have what they need. Permission from her family is needed, but her agreement is more important than anything else.
This version is the most realistic one, linked to the hard life on the island of Eriskay: here the man puts the strength of his arms at the disposal of the woman he loves, promising her that he will take care of her and will never let her lack anything; but the woman cannot decide to marry him or perhaps she has left him and the man suffers terribly.
English translation Chorus: Bheir mi ò hu ò hò Bheir mi ò hu ò hò Bheir mi ò hu ò hò I am sad and you are not with me I Many nights wet and cold I took a trip all by myself Until I reached the place Where my heart’s bright love was. II On turning to the glen My heart was enthralled Since you did not give me your hand I thought you wouldn’t leave me III There’s no music in my harp My fingers knew naught but pain, Then your kiss, made me wounded Brought song to my life again. IV I would plow for you and reap I’d support you and you’d want for nothing I would take from the hard gravel A living for my love V Although we are not yet married I hope we will be As long as there is strength in my two fists We will want for nothing VI You left my eye tearful You left my heart broken You left me with a sickly pallor My hair is thinned | Scottish gaelic Sèist: Bheir mi ò hu ò hò Bheir mi ò hu ò hì Bheir mi ò hu ò hò ‘S mi fo bhròn ‘s tu gam dhìth I ‘S iomadh oidhche fliuch is fuar, Ghabh mi cuairt is mi leam fhìn; Gus an d’ ràinig mi an t-àite Far robh gràdh geal mo chridh’. II ‘N àm bhith cromadh ris a’ghleann Thàinig snaidhm air mo chridh’ Bho nach d’thug thu dhomh do làmh ‘S mi’n dùil nach fhàgadh tu mi III Na mo chlàrsach cha robh ceòl, Na mo mheòirean cha robh àgh, Rinn do phòg-sa mo leòn, Fhuair mi eòlas air dàn. IV Dhèanainn treabhadh dhuit is buan Chumainn suas thu gun dìth Bheirinn as a’ ghreabhal chruaidh Do mo luaidh teachd an tìr V Ged nach eil sinn fhathast pòsd’ Tha mi’n dòchas gum bi Fhad’ ‘s a mhaireas mo dhà dhòrn Cha bhith lòn oirnn a dhìth VI Dh’fhàg thu sìlteach mo shùil Dh’fhàg thu tùrsach mo chridh’ Dh’fhàg thu tana-glas mo shnuadh ‘S thug thu ghruag bhàrr mo chìnn |
IRISH VERSION
The Irish version of the song is from Rathlin Island, a transposition from the Scottish Gaelic
english translation Kay McCarthy Carry me over Oro van O Carry me over Oro van O Carry me over I’m miserable and missing you. II Many a night both wet and cold I wandered by myself Until I came to this place Wherein dwelt the love of my heart II In my harp there was no music In my fingers there was no power Until you announced your intention And I got to know my destiny | Irish gaelic Bheir mí ó, óró bhean ó Bheir mí ó, óró bhean í, Bheir mí óró óhó, Tá mé brónach, ‘s tú im’ dhíth. I ‘S iomaí oíche fliuch is fuar Thug mé cuairt is mé liom féin, Nó go ráinig mé san áit Mar a raibh stór gheal mo chléibh. II I mo chláirseach ní raibh ceol, I mo mheoraigh ní raibh brí, Nó gur luaigh tú do rún, ‘S d’fhuair mé eolas ar mo dhán. |
LINK
http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/cormack/gradh.htm
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=31628
http://ingeb.org/songs/vairmeor.html
http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/macaskill/gradh.htm
https://www.seaboardgaidhlig.com/2016/11/10/2016-an-t-samhain-gradh-geal-mo-chridh-eriskay-love-lilt-am-mod-nov-2016/