DASG Blog

Òrain Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu: Pàirt 1

Welcome back! I hope you had an exceptional, great Hogmanay!

“Glasgow of the Big Shops”, a worthy nickname for Glasgow town, but there is another nickname that is just as important and exceptional: “The Big Town of the Gaels”. For centuries the Gaels have been in Glascho – from the time of its inception of yore to recently in the centuries that followed – and, therefore, there would not be a Glasgow without the Gaels. Tha Gaels have left a great, long long legacy on the face of Glasgow and the Gaels have left a great, long legacy with the songs of Glasgow itself. In these blogs we will look at songs of Gaelic Glasgow and the people that made them.

Turas Dhòmhnaill gu Glaschu – [Niall MacLeòid, from Glendale, the Isle of Skye. The song can be read here in Clàrsach an Doire.]
MacLeòid worked in many occupations and he lived in many a place throughout the country as well, especially Edinburgh. He and his fellow Gael would have moved and worked in many a corner of the country, doing many a job in the Lowlands. With large populaces moving South MacLeòid had to make an account of the flitting and resettlement in the big towns of in the Lowlands:
“Bho’n bha mòran dhe m’ chàirdean
’Gabhail tamh anns a’ bhaile
Nuair bha crìoch air an àiteach.
S a bha ’m bàrr anns an talamh,
Thug mi ‘guinea’ no dhà leam
Bh’ aig mo mhàthair am falach;
Ghabh mi bàta na smùid’
Mach gu dùthaich nan Gallaibh
’s cha b’ ann gum rath...”
[It can be heard here on Tobar an Dualchais.]

Horo Tha Mi Fo Smalan Dheth – [Iain MacPhàidein, from Balevullin, Isle of Mull.]
MacPhàidein worked in the railway, but he was greatly involved in the community of Gaels in the city. He made many an ode and Gaelic song and he made many a song about the new town of his life; Glasgow itself. He was greatly involved in the “Anenaeum” theatre where he would perfom his own poetry and songs. This song was made about the effects of drink on the people of the town and he was greatly against the drink. He was involved with the Temperence Movement, and so, he encouraged people to shun alchohol:
“Horo, tha mi fo smalan dheth –
An t-uisge-beatha, chrean mi air;
’S e Mac-na-Braiche fear nan car,
’s gur iomadh fear a mheallar leis,
Horo Tha mi fo smalan dheth.

Innsidh mi san ealaidh dhuibh,
A’ ghaoth a dh’fhàg a’ Challainn againn;
Bhuail i dìreach cùl mo chinn
’S mi tigh’nn a-nìos an ‘Gallowgate’
Horo Tha mi fo smalan dheth...”
[Cluinnear an-seo e air Tobar an Dualchais.]

Òran don “Clutha”­ – [Iain MacPhàidein.]
The “Cluthas” were ferry-boats, ferrying people over the Clyde between Renfrew ferry and Victoria Bridge between 1883 and 1903. Many a Gaelic Sailor used to sail on these ferry boats:
“A Mhòr a bhuineadh, ’s a Mhòr a ghràidh,
A Mhòr a bhuineadh, ’s a Mhor Nic Aidh,*
Cha mhòr nach coma leam ’d é their càch,
Théid mise fad seachduinn do Ghlaschu mòr.

O’n a bh’ agamsa leannan am baile nam bùth,
Gu ’n deach mi g’ a h-amharc aig àm na bliadhn’ ùir,
’S dh’ fhàg mi am baile ’s a’ bhàta ’s a’ mhadainn,
’S ann ormsa bha ’m fadal a dh’ fhaicinn mo rùin...”

We shall return with more the next time, looking at songs that are established or connected with the centre of town. If you have any Gaelic songs that are connected with Glasgow let us know on facebook, twitter and our website.