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92 Music of the Waters. |
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To the following words I have not been able to find any recognized tune; it is known as the boat-song of " Domhnul Ruadh Gaolach," and in Mr. Campbell's book (" Language, Poetry, and Music of the Highland Clans "), he gives a very graphic description of the song being sung to him by an old seaman, when he was quite a boy. He says, " When sung by the old seaman, the listener could not help fancying that he heard a voice slowly rising from behind a sea, until it attained the crest of a mountain billow, and burst on his ear in a regular bravura of seamanlike exultation; it then gradually receded and sunk, until he felt apprehensive that the singer was struggling with the capricious waves, then, after a seeming silence and to his great relief, it began to grow perceptibly on his ear, until the exulting chorus burst upon him afresh, in a gush of melody that made his heart swell in sympathy with the triumphant pluck and stamina of the strong-armed rowers ; the whole crew were supposed to join in the fonu or chorus."
DOMHNUL RUADH GAOLACH.
u Donald, red-haired and beloved, Horiu ova, ro huvo, Who standest firmly by an oak helm,
Horiu eyle', ova hi, Hi 'ri oyri, nan hi ri'u.
" Who standest firmly by an oak helm, Horiu ova, ro huvo ; Wild is the course of thy boat,
Horiu eyle', ova hi, Hi 'ri oyri, nan hi ri'u.
" Wild is the course of thy boat,
Horiu ova, ro huvo, Cleaving the roaring sea,
Horiu eyle', ova hi, Hi 'ri oyri, nan hi ri'u. |
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