The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Notes. 639
NOTES.
Mr Harold Boulton, author of the excellent and
sumptuous work entitled the " Songs of the North," has
just issued a companion volume in the " Songs of the Four
Nations." His musical co-adjutor is Mr Arthur Somervell.
The work is dedicated to the Queen, and forms a veryhandsome
volume. The songs number 50, and are in the
divers languages and dialects of our "four nations"
English and Scottish, Highland or Gaelic, Welsh and
Cornish (one song), and Irish, with one Manx song.
Translations are given into English of all the Celtic songs,
mostly by Mr Boulton himself; and exceedingly happy
renderings they are as a rule. The two Gaelic songs are
Eilean an Fhraoich and the Mackintosh Lament, both of
which Mr Boulton translates. The latter is thus beautifully
rendered by him into English :
—
Grief of heart ! heart of grief!
Fallen is the warrior chief;
Fallen like a summer leaf.
Lies Clan Chattan's glory !
Cursed thy breed, thou treacherous steed,
That failed the rider at his need !
Black thy colour, black the deed.
Black thy name in story.
Bitter doom ! hapless bride.
Newly parted from his side.
When my true love, stricken sore,
Met his death ill-fated !
Wine for wedding feast prepared.
Friends at wake and funeral shared ;
Sorrow, sorrow, evermore !
The bride must mourn unmated.
—