The Mavis of Clan Donald
Holivag hilivag ho-al-il o
Holivag hilivag ho ro i
Holivag hilivag ho-al-il o,
A mavis of Clan Donald I.
A mavis I on Paible's flat, huddled in a drowse of sleep, without (?) misery that can go farther: my sorrow is the heavier (therefor); my spirit has fallen.
A mavis I on mountain top, watching sun and cloudless skies; softly I approach the forest — I shall live in other wise.
A mavis I on every peak, revelling in the morning dew, striking my fingers on my chanter, singing my music without huskiness or blemish.
If every bird praises its own land, why then should not I? — land of heroes, land of poets, the abundant, hospitable, estimable land.
The land not narrow near the sea, the delectable, mild, comely land, the land of calves and lambs and kids, the land of bread and milk and honey.
The brindled, sunny, pleasant land, the snug, grassy, sheltered land, the land of meadows and geese and wild duck, the land where there is food without desire for glut.
The land of seaweed and barley and plenty, the excellent land of meadows and cornfields, the land of stacks and sheaves and mows, close to the sea, without cold in time of snow.
'Tis a beautiful land, the land of the plain, the land of the smiling coloured flowers, the land of mares and stallions and kine, the land of good fortune which never shall be blighted.
The land most lovely to be seen, where there are young men in comely apparel, full plentiful in produce of the plain, flocks on the moor, gold on the stones.
In Comgan's Churchyard was I born, in Aird an Runnair I was reared, in sight of the proud throbbing sea, of the sportive, fickle, playful waves.
Among Clan Donald I was nursed — the folk of sails and coloured banners, of swift ships on wide seas, a people not mild when baring grey blades.
The skilful, sedate, stately men, who were rending and destructive in the fray, men without sorrow or wound or weariness, who would follow the rout and likewise stem it.
Folk of my love not smooth of nap, folk not scant of grimness in the strife, the eager folk at time of joining battle, baring blades under snoring of banners.
The sprightly folk at time of marching, who would follow the rout without thought of timidity, fiercely splintering heads and shoulders, noisily tearing the red cloth.
The loyal folk of fairest fame, folk without fear when athirst for blood, folk without dread in battle or skirmish, handsome, honourable, strong and manly.
The great folk and the race that is not stunted, who grew up spirited, comely, and substantial, manly under their arms — woe to whom they would bare them! — who are not childlike of mien in face of attack.
Let us sit round the table sedate and attentive; may he who drinks it not out have his eye in his fist — the health of Sir James, may he safely come home, God's one Son be a shield to thy person.
Holivag hilivag ho ro i
Holivag hilivag ho-al-il o,
A mavis of Clan Donald I.
A mavis I on Paible's flat, huddled in a drowse of sleep, without (?) misery that can go farther: my sorrow is the heavier (therefor); my spirit has fallen.
A mavis I on mountain top, watching sun and cloudless skies; softly I approach the forest — I shall live in other wise.
A mavis I on every peak, revelling in the morning dew, striking my fingers on my chanter, singing my music without huskiness or blemish.
If every bird praises its own land, why then should not I? — land of heroes, land of poets, the abundant, hospitable, estimable land.
The land not narrow near the sea, the delectable, mild, comely land, the land of calves and lambs and kids, the land of bread and milk and honey.
The brindled, sunny, pleasant land, the snug, grassy, sheltered land, the land of meadows and geese and wild duck, the land where there is food without desire for glut.
The land of seaweed and barley and plenty, the excellent land of meadows and cornfields, the land of stacks and sheaves and mows, close to the sea, without cold in time of snow.
'Tis a beautiful land, the land of the plain, the land of the smiling coloured flowers, the land of mares and stallions and kine, the land of good fortune which never shall be blighted.
The land most lovely to be seen, where there are young men in comely apparel, full plentiful in produce of the plain, flocks on the moor, gold on the stones.
In Comgan's Churchyard was I born, in Aird an Runnair I was reared, in sight of the proud throbbing sea, of the sportive, fickle, playful waves.
Among Clan Donald I was nursed — the folk of sails and coloured banners, of swift ships on wide seas, a people not mild when baring grey blades.
The skilful, sedate, stately men, who were rending and destructive in the fray, men without sorrow or wound or weariness, who would follow the rout and likewise stem it.
Folk of my love not smooth of nap, folk not scant of grimness in the strife, the eager folk at time of joining battle, baring blades under snoring of banners.
The sprightly folk at time of marching, who would follow the rout without thought of timidity, fiercely splintering heads and shoulders, noisily tearing the red cloth.
The loyal folk of fairest fame, folk without fear when athirst for blood, folk without dread in battle or skirmish, handsome, honourable, strong and manly.
The great folk and the race that is not stunted, who grew up spirited, comely, and substantial, manly under their arms — woe to whom they would bare them! — who are not childlike of mien in face of attack.
Let us sit round the table sedate and attentive; may he who drinks it not out have his eye in his fist — the health of Sir James, may he safely come home, God's one Son be a shield to thy person.
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