Marbhrann do Thighearna Ghlinne-Moireastuinn


Le Alasdair Mac Iain Bhain.
(From Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, Volume 10, 1881-83). Translation by Iain MacLeod, courtesy of Murdo Grant of Fortrose and Lewiston.

To Colonel John Grant of Glenmoriston, who died in 1801.

Fhir-leughaidh an sgeoil
Thoir eisdeachd do m' ghloir -
Mo gheur latha broin
Mu dheibhinn Iain Oig,
Bho chaisteal a' cheoil,
'S bho ghleannan an fheoir -
'Chaidh thasgaidh fo'n fhod,
Ann an clar chiste bhord;
'S ma's a leir dhomh a' choir
Cha'n innis mi sgleo mearachdach.
Fhir-leughaidh, etc.
Reader of the tale
Give ear to my speech -
My day of sharp sorrow
concerning Young John,
from the castle of music,
and from the glen rich in grass -
He has been laid under the sod,
in a coffin of boards;
And if I see any fault in him
I will not tell a lying tale,
'S ann tha 'n t-aileagan bhuainn
O' Dhimairt anns an uaigh;
Gur a craiteach dha 'n tuath
Thu dha m' fagail cho luath,
'N am a' mhail a thoirt uath'
Bhiodh iochd 'us blaths le mor thruas an ceangal riut.
'S ann 'tha 'n etc.
It is a jewel that has been taken from us;
he has been in the grave since last Tuesday.
It is a sore thing for the tenantry
that you have left them so soon.
At the time when rents were being collected from them
you showed humanity and warmth allied to compassion.
'N osag dhosguinneach fhuar,
Lom nochdaidh gun truas,
'Fhrois an cruithneachd 'na sguaib
Bhrist thu beam a's Taobh-Tuath
Ann an aireamh dhaoin' uaisle,
'S gach aon aite mu 'n cuairt 's 'an teanail iad.
'N osag dhosguinneach, etc.
Cold destructive wind,
that strips bare without pity,
which has scattered the seed
of the wheat from the sheaves, you have left a gap in the North
in the ranks of the gentry,
in every place where they gather together.
'S i 'n ruaig chaillteach gun chliu
'Thig air muinntir do dhuthch';
Bho'n chaidh 'n ceannard thoir dhiubh,
Ataidh 'n dam leis a' bhurn,
'S gheibh e am air an cul,
'S bidh iad baite na'n duisg gun fhaireachadh.
'Si 'n ruaig chaillteach.
It is ignoble and destructive dispersal
that the people of your estate will suffer.
Since their leader has been taken from them,
the dam will become swollen with water,
and it will get the chance to take them unawares,
and they will be drowned while awake and unsuspecting.
Ach gloir do 'n Ard Righ
'N t-oighre dh' fhag thu,
Do 'n ainm Padruig
Tha 'tighinn 'na d' aite,
'N fhior-fhuil aluinn,
Rioghail, àghail, aighearaich.
Ach gloir do 'n, etc.
But glory to the High King
for the heir whom you have left,
who is called Patrick,
who is coming in your pjace,
and who is of the beautiful, true blood,
royal, auspicious and joyous.
'S tu 's na-Innseachan Shios
Fhuair thu 'n onair, 's tu b' fhiach,
'S tu 'n commannd air leth chiad;
Bho 'n bha 'n t-Ard Righ dha d' dhion
Gu'n do shabhail do bhian;
'S thug e sabhailt' thu nios
Gus an d' thainig a' chrioch air d' thalamh ort.
'S tu 's na h-Innseachan, etc.
When you were down south in the Indies
you received an honour of which you were worthy,
in that you were in command of fifty men.
Since the High King was protecting you
your life was preserved.
He brought you safely home
so that you died on your own land.