95 An Té Sin Air a' Bheil Mi 'n Geall

Fonn:

An té sin air a' bheil mi 'n geall
Gruaidh mar chaorann dearg air chrann
Cruinneag bhòidhech a' chùil duinn
'S gil' thu na sneachda nam beann

The one to whom I'm promised has cheeks like the red rowan berries.
Pretty brown haired girl, you are fairer than mountain snow.

Di luain a ghluais sinn ás an tìr
Leis a' cheilp 's bu mhór a phrìs
Ach mur leig iad dhachaid mi
Bidh an tuath gun nì no geall

With the kelp at a high price, we set sail on Monday.
But before I am allowed to return the common people
will be threadbare, without hope.

Nuair thog mi rithe na siùil bhàn
'S a ghlac mi 'n ailm ann am làmh
Thòisich i ri deanamh bàir
'S i toirt làn ás bhos 's thall

When I lifted the white sails and took the helm,
she began to make headway splitting the tide.

Nuair thàinig m'uair aig an stiùir
Dearbh cha robh an fhairge ciùin
'S nuair a thug me rith' mo chùl
Shil mo shùilean mar an t-allt

When my turn came at the wheel, indeed the seas were rough.
When I departed from you, my tears flowed like a stream.

Nuair shéid i gu cruaidh
B'éiginn dhomhs a dhol suas
Cùram mór nach till mi nuas
'Smaointinn air mo luaidh 's an àm

When it blew hard, I had to climb the mast afraid
I wouldn't get down and thinking of my love at the time.

Nuair bhios mi rìobhadh an t-siùil
Bidh na deòir a ruith o m'shùil
'S eagal orm gun tig fear ùr
Air mo chùl a nì mo chall

When I'm reefing the sail, tears run from my eyes
and I'm afraid by a new sweetheart

Na biodh cùram ort a ghaoil
Ged a sheòlainn ro na caoil
Bidh an sgiobair air mo thaobh
'S e Mac 'Ille-Mhaoil a th'ann

My darling, don't be afraid, although I should sail through the strait.
The skipper, Mac Millan, will be by my side.

Na biodh cùram ort mu d' lòn
Ged a sheòlainn air luing mhóir
Théid i Ghrianaig fo cuid sheòl
'S théid am bròn anull 's anall

Fear not for your upkeep, although I should sail on a great ship.
She will go to Greenock under full sail and all sadness will be dispersed.

Fhuair mi litir Di màirt
'S ro mhath a dh'aithnich mi do làmh
'S mun do leugh mi ach pàirt
Dh'òl mi deoch-slàint' an dram

I received a letter on Tuesday and well I knew your writing.
Before I read more than a part of it. I drank your health.

Ach nam bithinn-sa 'nam shaor
Dheanainn bàt' a shnàmhadh caoil
Dhol a shealtainn air mo ghaol
Ged robh mhuir 'na caoir 's an àm.

If I was a carpenter, I would build a boat to cross the strait to see my love.
though the sea should be white-capped at the time.

Gur h-ann glé mhoch air Di luain
A fhuair mi preasan thar a' chuain
Prine-broillich bh'aig mo luaidh
'S dual dhe 'n ghruaig a bh'air a ceann

I received a present very early on Monday from across the sea,
a brooch that belonged to my sweatheart and lock of hair from her head.

Meoir 's grinn' a tharraingeas sgrìob
Leis a' pheann 'ga chur a sios
Do litrichean gum faighinn fhìn
Anns na h'Innsean fada thall

Your writing hand was the finest.
I would get your letters far off in the West Indies.

Feasgar foghair air Cnoc-àrd
Air a' bhuain, cho robh thu ceàrr
Nuair ghlaicteadh corran leat 'ad làimh
Dh'faodadh càch bhi deanamh bhann.

On a fall afternoon on Cnoc-ard, you were a faultless reaper.
When you had the sickle in your hand, the rest could tir the stooks.