The book Arran; - Cook Clan

318 ^ THE BOOK OF ARRAN
Tha do ghruaidh mar an caorann 's do mhala chaol mar it' coin,
Suil mheallach 's boidhch' sealladh rinn mo mhealladh 'n am oig',
O'n' fhuair mi ort sealladh 'n am gearradh na moin'
Cha deach thu as m' aire 's gu'm b' aighearach sud dhomhs'.
Tha mi 'm barail nach bi thu fo mhi-ghean no t^ir,
Ged a thu'irt mi ruit leannan 's nach gabh thu dheth nair',
Nach gabh thu dheth doilgheas 's nach tog thu mi cearr
Oir aig laigse na feola bu bhosd leam a radh.
Na bi thusa fo shraonais, a ghaoil, ged tha mi
Air ro bheagan de *n t-saoghal gun chaoraich gun mhaoin,
Oir chualas mar fhirinn mu ar sinnsir o thus
Nach d' fhuair iad mar thrusgan ach duilleach 's iad ruisgt'.
Ach ged ni iad mo ehumail, 's mo chur thun nam blar,
'S ged 's eiginn domh fulang 'us m' fhuil thoirt gu lar,
Cha dean mi ort di-chuimhn', 's cha siolaidh mo ghradh,
'S a chaoidh fhad 's is beo mi gu'r math leam thu slan.
Love Song
by d. currie
Literal translation by J. Craig
When first I came over I hoped and expected
To gather great riches should no evil thing happen,
But before I had travelled or had got out of the country,
They put me in ward like a, thief or a dog.
They put me into the press-room, and locked me there,
Where we were a great company held by force.
Intending to draft us into the army in France,
And we durst not try to escape in spite of them.
Carry my compliments over to Arran of the bens.
And tell my sweetheart how it all happened.
That I have been captured and closely held by a crew
Who would not listen to a word, my speech unavailing.
Since I am laid low and they won't let me rise,
I shall write a letter to tell how I fare.
When it reaches home no doubt they will be
Sorrowful enough, and their own folk in health.