Buain Na' Rainich (Reaping the Bracken)
It's said to be a traditional lullaby, however, we've performed it as a 'puirt na buel' or 'mouth music style which is how it's traditionally sung in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This style is a bit more upbeat and was used to accompany dancers when no instruments were available. The lyrics are based on a tale of a fairy who fell in love with a young girl whom he met when she came out to cut the bracken. When her family found out about the two, they locked her up at home. When she never returns, he becomes despondent and sings this lamenting song. It works quite well as a lullaby, and the sentiment of the song goes that way. According to one website it can be sung to a tune "Ca' the Yowes to the Knowes".
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[Scots-Gaelic]
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[Phonetics]
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Séist |
Chorus Ha mee SKEE smee lum HANE BOO’UN na rah-niCH boo’un na rah-niCH Ha mee SKEE smee lum HANE BOO’UN na rah-niCH doon-un. 1 Streak a vah mee heen smo lannan Ounce a ghylan-nan CHyo-hur Gaysh-tyuCH kosher veen an dor-ra SHAYN sa CHol-ya Goh-wul; 2 KOOL un toe-mun BRA-ee un toe-mun KOOL un toe-mun VO-yeeCH KOOL un toe-mun BRA-ee un toe-mun Hoo-la LA am o-nur. 3 O nam FY-keen oo a chee-in Roo-yeen GHole nad Cho-GHul aCH moor cheeg oon show gum HEE-ruh Kim-mer HEEL-yus do-CHus? 4 Ounce an chee-yun o goor skee mee Streak mo CHree ga LYO-nuGH Noor viss caCH a Shayne an LOON-yag CHa jen mish aCH crow-nan. 5 S-boCHK naCH row mee lat a REESHT, Sheen a vee-yuGH KYOLE-vore, RACH-een lat goo kool na KRIN-ya, Air vahr toon-ya SHOW-lugh. 6 Kyid am FAME GHow vee ree toor-ya? Jay nee toor-ya GHowe-sa? Smee Cho fa-ta o gaCH doon-ya BOOR-een chee’n gum CHO-nuGH? |
| Chorus I am tired, and I am alone, Cutting the Bracken, Cutting the bracken I am tired, and I am alone, Cutting the Bracken forever |
1 Often, my love and I were In the misty glens Listening to the sweet choir of the grove Singing in the forest |
2 Behind the knoll, up on the knoll, Behind the pretty knoll Behind the knoll, up on the knoll, All the day alone |
| 3 Oh, if I would see you coming I would run to meet you But if you will not come here at my pleading How would hope return? |
4 In the weather, oh that I am TIRED Often my heart is wounded by her When the others would be singing ditties I can only make a croon. |
5 It is bad that I am not with you again We would be great music I would go with you to the other side of the world Sailing on top of the waves. |
| 6 Why must I be mourning What will make a chant to me And I, so far from others, Would people be able to come help me? |