Coisich, a ruin, hu il oro,
cum do ghealladh rium, o hi ibh o;
beir soraidh bhuam, hu il oro,
dha n Hearadh, boch oraino o
Beir soraidh bhuam
dha na Hearadh-
gu Seon Caimbeul
donn mo leannan-
gu Seon Caimbeul
donn mo leannan-
sealgair geoidh,
roin is eala;
Sealgair geoidh,
roin is eala,
bhric a ni leum
'n fheidh ri langan.
'S filuch an oidhche
nochd 's gur fuar I,
ma thug Clann Nill
druim a' chuain orr';
Ma thug Clann Nill
druim a' chuainn orr'-
luchd nan seol ad
's nan long luatha;
Luchd nan seol ad
's nan long luath,
's nam brataicheann
gorm is uaine;
"s nam brataicheann
gorm is uaine-
cha be 'fhear cearraig
bheireadh bhuat I.
(Translation) Come On, My Love
Come on, my love, hu il oro
keep your promise to me, o hi ibh o;
take greeting from me, hu il oro
over to Harris, boch orainn o.
Take greetings from me
Over to Harris-
To John Campbell
my brown-haired sweetheart
To John Campbell
my brown-haired sweetheart-
hunter of goose
seal and swan
Hunter of goose
seal and swan-
of leaping trout
of bellowing deer
Wet is the night
tonight, and cold,
If the MacNeills
have put to sea
If the MacNeills
have put to sea-
men of high sails
and swift ships;
Men of high sails
and swift ships;
and of banners
blue and green
And of banners
blue and green
no left-hander
could take her rudder from you.
