Cànan nan Gàidheal

"Cànan nan Gàidheal" ("Language of the Gaels") is a Scottish Gaelic song written by Murchadh MacPhàrlain (also known as Bàrd Mhealboist) in 1974.[1][2] The song has been recorded by many notable artists, including Dick Gaughan,[3] Catherine-Ann MacPhee,[1] Karen Matheson,[4] Tannas,[1] Dan ar Braz,[5] and Gaelic Women.[5] An Irish-language version, Teangaidh or Teanga na nGael, has been recorded by the Irish group Cór Thaobh a' Leithid.[6] and by the singer/songwriter Gráinne Holland.[7] An instrumental version was recorded by Scottish fiddler Duncan Chisholm.[8]

The lyrics of the song praise Scottish Gaelic, criticize the persecution of the language and its speakers, and encourage Gaels to resist the pressure to switch to English. MacPhàrlain also has some choice words for non-Gaels who fetishize the death of the language:

Fair a-nuas dhuinn na coinnlearan òir

'S annt' càiribh na coinnlean geal cèir,

Lasaibh suas iad an seòmar a' bhròin

'N taigh-fhaire seann chànan a' Ghaidheil

'S e siud o chionn fhad' thuirt a nàmh

Ach fhathast tha beò cànan nan Gàidheal.[9]

("Pass over to us the golden candlesticks

and put in them white waxen candles.

Light them up in a grief-filled room

in the wake-house of the Gael's old language."

That's what its enemy has long been saying

but the language of the Gael is yet alive.)[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Simon Ager. "Cànan nan Gàidheal". Omniglot.
  2. ↑ Murchadh MacPhàrlain. Dir. Iain MacLeòid. BBC News. BBC Alba, 2000. 04 Jan. 2017.
  3. ↑ "Canan nan Gaidheal". BBC Music. BBC. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  4. ↑ The Original Transatlantic Sessions (DVD). pp. (Inside cover, DVD booklet).
  5. 1 2 "Canan nan Gaidheal". Looking for Lyrics.
  6. ↑ "Teangaidh na nGael". Irish Folk Songs.
  7. ↑ Gráinne Holland (2012-08-30), Gaelic Song - Gráinne Holland - Teanga na nGael, retrieved 2017-05-31
  8. ↑ "The Door of Saints". Duncan Chisholm.
  9. ↑ "BBC ALBA – Bliadhna nan Òran – Òrain : Cànan nan Gàidheal".
  10. ↑ Micheal MacThómhais. "Cànan nan Gàidheal".
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