The book Arran; - Cook Clan

316 THE BOOK OF ARRAN
O ! 's mairg nach roghnaicheadh companaich fhior,
Air am biodh eagal an Tighearn air muir 'us air tir,
Bhiodh 'aran dha deimhinn agus 'uisge dha fior,
'S air deireadh a laithean bhiodh aige deagh chrioch
Elegy
The company, the company, the company is dissolved.
Unworthy the company, but the company that 's true.
The company has parted—that left my eye in tears,
'Twas the heartlessness of James that left us in sorrow.
'Twas thy journey to Islay the month prior to March
That left me so sad, since thou wilt never return.
And since they took thee away to Island Davaar
And left thee stranded like a salmon on the shore.
'Twas James Davidson that for ever deprived us,
Since he took thee away to Island Davaar,
And returned not home to relate how it was.
Hundreds, without delay, would be out about thy death.
Handsome and shapely thy form, and royal thy speech,
In truth was thy pleasure, thy displeasure in deceit,
Thy yellow hair so curly, wavy, and bunchy.
Thy bright blue eye so winning in thy head.
Many a lady dressed in silk and grandeur,
'Twixt Arran and Islay, and Kintyre of the kine.
Would give the world to have thee as their own,
And they all in sorrow, since young thou didst die.
Thy father and mother are each day under grief.
With nought in the world to compensate the loss.
Until they reach the place whence all sorrow is dispelled.
Where no bitter tear will ever moisten their cheek.
O ! the pity on those who true companions don't choose.
Who would fear the Lord on sea or on land,
To him his bread would be sure and his water be pure.
And at the end of his days he happy would be.