Dheannain Sùgragh Ris A Nigh'n Dubh

The Story:
This was sung in Lewis as a 'waulking' song. It helped keep the rhythm going while the women worked the tweed. Although the refrain is about a' black-haired girl', it is actually addressed to a boat. Some rowing songs and 'waulking' songs were similar. This one tells of the boats journey.

Dheannain sugradh ris a nigh'n dubh
N' deidh dhomh eirigh as a mhaduinn
Dheannain sugradh ris a nigh'n dubh

Dheannain sugradh ris a'ghruagaich
H-uile uair a bhiodh I agam

'Reef' ga cheangal 's'reef' ga fhuasgladh
Muir m'a guallain , fuaim is fead oirr'

'S trìc asheol mi'n Cuan-a-Tuath leat
Le gaoith tuath 's cruaidh-fhrasan

'S trìc a bha mi gad stuireadh
Is a' mhuir a'sguireadh na deaca

Null ma Chaolas na Roimh
B' fheudar dhuinn am bòm a leaiseadh

Null ma chaolas na Fraing
Maide na laimh's gaoth ga greased

Cha robh ropa feum a spleiadhsadh
Air mo mhaighdeann ri tigh'n dhachaidh

Ged a bhiogh e crùn an oirleach
Dh'fheumadh porsan dheth thigh'n dhachaidh. 

ENGLISH TRANSLATION ---

I would sport with the dark haired girl(boat)
After getting up in the morning

I would work with her every second I was with her

Tying a reef knot opening a reef knot
The sea at her back noisy and whistling

I often sailed the North Sea with her
With a North wind and strong showers.

Often I steered her and the sea swamped her decks

About the strait of Rome
We had to lash the boom.

About the strait of France
Tiller in hand and the wind egging her on.

There wasn't a rope needed splicing
On her when we came home.