The Glendale Bards

This book marks the centenary of Neil MacLeod's death in 1913 with the republication of some of his work. It also publishes for the first time all of the identifiable work of his brother, Iain Dubh (1847 - 1901), and of their father, Domhnall nan Oran (c.1787 - 1873). Their contrasting styles mark a fascinating period of transition in literary tastes between the 18th and early 20th centuries at a time of profound social upheaval. Neil Macleod left Glendale in Skye to become a tea-merchant in Edinburgh. His songs were prized by his fellow Gaels for their sweetness of sentiment and melody, which placed a balm on the recent wounds of emigration and clearance. They are still very widely known, and Neil's collection Clarsach an Doire was reprinted four times. Professor Derick Thomson rightly described him as 'the example par excellence of the popular poet in Gaelic'. However, many prefer the earthy quality of the work of his less famous brother, Iain Dubh.

This book contains 58 poems in all (32 by Neil, 14 by Iain and 22 by Domhnall), with translations, background notes and the melodies where known. Biographies are given of the three poets, while the introduction reflects on the difference in style between them and places each in his literary context.

An essay in Gaelic by Professor Norman MacDonald reflects on the social significance of the family in the general Gaelic diaspora.

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• List of Illustrations
• Introduction
• Two Poems on Neil MacLeod’s Death
• A Note on Editorial and Translation Practice
• Biographical Details
• Aiste le Tormod Dòmhnallach
• Niall Macleòid
  • Introductory Notes to Songs and Poems by Niall
  • Homeland
    • 1. An Gleann san Robh Mi Òg
      • The Glen Where I Was Young
    • 2. Fàilte don Eilean Sgitheanach
      • Hail to the Isle of Skye
    • 3. Cumha Eilean a’ Cheò
      • Lament for the Isle of Skye
  • Love
    • 4. Màiri Bhaile Chrò
      • Mary of Baile Chrò
    • 5. Duanag an t-Seòladair
      • The Sailor’s Song
    • 6. Mo Dhòmhnallan Fhèin
      • Dear Donald, My Own
    • 7. Mo Leannan
      • My Sweetheart
  • Gaelic
    • 8. Am Faigh a’ Ghàidhlig Bàs?
      • Will Gaelic Die?
    • 9. Brosnachadh na Gàidhlig
      • An Incitement to Gaelic
  • Historical Comment
    • 10. Còmhradh eadar Òganach agus Oisean
      • A Conversation Between A Young Man And Ossian
    • 11. Sealladh air Oisean
      • A Sight Of Ossian
    • 12. Mhuinntir a’ Ghlinne seo
      • People Of This Glen
  • Protest
    • 13. Na Croitearan Sgitheanach
      • The Crofters Of Skye
    • 14. ’S e Nis an t-Àm
      • Now Is The Time
  • Religious and Didactic
    • 15. Taigh a’ Mhisgeir
      • The Drunkard’s House
    • 16. An Uaigh
      • The Grave
  • Humorous
    • 17. Òran na Seana-Mhaighdinn
      • Song of the Old Maid
    • 18. Turas Dhòmhnaill do Ghlaschu
      • Donald’s Trip to Glasgow
    • 19. An Seann Fhleasgach
      • The Batchelor
  • Emotional Set Pieces
    • 20. Bàs Leanaibh na Bantraich
      • The Death of the Widow’s Child
    • 21. Cumha Leannain
      • Lament for a Sweetheart
    • 22. Mi Fhìn is Anna
      • Myself and Anna
  • Occasional
    • 23. Cuairt do Chuithraing
      • A Trip to the Quiraing
    • 24. Coinneamh Bhliadhnail Clann Eilean a’ Cheò
      • The Skye Annual Gathering
    • 25. Fàilte don Bhàrd
      • Welcome to ‘Am Bàrd’
  • Village Verse
    • 26. Dùghall na Sròine
      • Dougall of the Nose
    • 27. Tobar Thalamh-Toll
      • The Well of Earth Hole
    • 28. Dòmhnall Cruaidh agus an Ceàrd
      • Tough Donald and the Tinker
  • Nature
    • 29. Rainn do Neòinean
      • Verses to a Daisy
    • 30. Ri Taobh na Tràigh
      • Beside the Shore
  • Elegy
    • 31. Don Lèigh MacGilleMhoire, nach Maireann
      • To the Late Dr Morrison
    • 32. John Stuart Blackie
      • John Stuart Blackie
• Iain Dubh
  • Introductory Notes to Songs and Poems by Iain Dubh
  • Sea-Faring and Homesickness
    • 33. Gillean Ghleann Dail
      • The Boys of Glendale
    • 34. Mo Mhàthair an Àirnicreap
      • My Mother in Àirnicreap
    • 35. ’S Truagh nach Mise bha Thall an Cealabost
      • A Pity I Wasn’t Over in Colbost
  • Love
    • 36. Anna NicLeòid
      • Anna MacLeod
    • 37. Ò Anna, na Bi Brònach
      • Oh Anna, don’t be Troubled
  • Satire and Social Comment
    • 38. Aoir Dhòmhnaill Ghrannda
      • The Satire of Donald Grant
    • 39. Òran Catrìona Ghrannda
      • A Song for Catriona Grant
    • 40. Nuair Rinn Mi Do Phòsadh
      • When I Married You
    • 41. A’ Bhean Agam Fhìn
      • My Own Wife
  • Praise
    • 42. Òran an Àigich
      • The Song of the ‘Stallion’
    • 43. Òran a’ Cheannaiche
      • The Song of the ‘Merchant’
    • 44. Òran do dh’Fhear Hùsabost
      • A Song to the Laird of Husabost
  • Occasional Verse
    • 45. An Gamhainn a Tha aig Mo Mhàthair
      • The Heifer My Mother Has
    • 46. Tost Dhòmhnaill an Fhèilidh
      • A Toast to Donald of the Kilt
    • 47. An Eaglais a Th’ ann an Lìt’
      • The Church that’s in Leith
    • 48. Don Doctair Grannt
      • To Dr Grant
• Dòmhnall Nan Òran
  • Introductory Notes to Songs and Poems by Dòmhnall Nan Òran
  • Clan and Praise Poetry
    • 49. Marbhrann do Chaiptean Alastair MacLeòid ann a’ Bhatain
      • Elegy for Captain MacLeod in Vatten
    • 50. Smeòrach nan Leòdach
      • The Thrush of Clan MacLeod
  • Love
    • 51. Litir Ghaoil ga Freagairt
      • A Love Letter Answering Her
  • Satire and Social Comment
    • 52. Òran Mhurchaidh Bhig
      • Murdo Beag’s Song
    • 53. Rann Molaidh do Sheann Bhàta
      • A Verse in Praise of an Old Boat
    • 54. Rann Fìrinn don Bhàta Cheudna
      • A Truthful Verse to the Same Boat
    • 55. Rann Molaidh do Thaigh Ùr
      • A Verse Praising a New House
    • 56. Òran Molaidh a’ Bhuntàta
      • A Song in Praise of the Potato
    • 57. Rann do dh’Èildearan an Loin Mhòir
      • A Poem to the Elders of Lonmore
  • Religious and Didactic
    • 58. Dàn a’ Bhreitheanais
      • A Poem on the Judgement
    • 59. Dàn don Ghrèin
      • A Poem to the Sun
  • Nature
    • 60. Òran do Thulaich Ghlais ris an Abrar ‘Tungag’
      • A Song to a Green Hillock Called ‘Tungag’
• Sources for the Texts and Tunes and Editorial Notes
• A Word on Dòmhnall nan Òran’s Metres
• A Note on the Editors
• Bibliography
• Abbreviations
• Index of Titles
• Index of First Lines
• End Notes