Download Volume 12 here

152 Gaelic Society of Inverness.
Bhitheadh fleasgaichean donna,
Air am bonnaibh ri ceol,
Agus nionagan dualach,
'San gruaidh niai' an ros.
An toiseach an fhoghair,
Bu cliridheil na'r sunnd,
Am liadh as an fliireach,
'S am liradan a grunnd.
Bhitlieadh luingeas an sgadain,
A' tighinn fo sheol,
Bu bhoidheach an sealladh,
'S fir dhonn aire am bord.
In 1774 Jolm Macrae, i.e. Ian Mac Mhurchaidh emigrated,
along with many of his neighbours, from Kintail, Lochcarron, etc.,
and settled in North Carolina. Soon after their arrival the
American War of Independence broke out, and as might be
expected they at once Joined and took a prominent part in what
they considered to be tlie right of Britain. The bard was ultimately
taken prisoner and confined in a wretched dungeon where
he soon died. It is said that liis loyal compositions during the
war greatly inspirited his brother Highlanders, and that the
Americans Avhen they got him into their hands treated him w^ith
unusual severity. This is (me of the last, probably tlic last, of Ian
Mac Mhurchaidh's compositions.
Tha mi sgith 'n fhogar so,
Tha mi sgith dheth 'n t-strith,
So an tim dhoruinneach.
Ged a tha mi fo'n choille,
Cha 'n 'eil coire ri chomhdach orm.
Tha mi sgith «fec.
Ach mi sheasadh gu dileas,
Leis an High bho' n bha choir aige.
Mi air fogar bho fhoghar,
Deanamh thighean gun cheo annta.
Ann am buthaig bhig bharraich,
Cha d' thig caraitl dha'ni fheoraich anu.
Ach na'm bithinn aig a bhaile,
Gheibhinu cairdean's luchd-eolais ann.