canasg choral music publishing - Gaol mo chridh-sa Màiri Bhàn

SG1510

Gaol mo chridh-sa Màiri Bhàn

(Mairi's wedding)

traditional Gaelic words and tune

arranged by Sheena Phillips
for soprano, alto, tenor and bass chorus
with tenor solo

SATB performance time approx 2m 10s

Arranger's note

This is a charming tune, known as the Lewis Bridal Song, and also well known to many people in its English version 'Mairi's wedding'. The original Gaelic lyrics are better, though, conveying rather more than the sheer gaiety of the English version.

The song goes well alongside some Gaelic puirt-a-beul (mouth music), and you might want to consdier the following sequence : Tha mi sgith, Meal do bhrògan, An tailleir mhór, Gaol ma chrìdh-sa Màiri Bhàn (all published by Canasg).

A recording by Rudsambee company of singers is available on the album citrus and honey (RUBEECD002).

Music

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Hear a MIDI file of the song

Words

Gaol mo chridh-sa Màiri Bhàn
( lit. The love of my heart, fair-haired Mary)

Gaol mo chrìdh-sa Màiri Bhàn,
Màiri bhòidheach, sgeul mo dhàin;
'S i mo ghaol-sa Màiri Bhàn,
'S tha mi 'dol ga pòsadh.

Thuit mi ann an gaol a-raoir,
Tha mo chrìdh-sa shuas air beinn,
Màiri Bhàn rim' thaobh a'seinn,
'S tha mi 'dol ga pòsadh.

Cuailean òir is suilean tlàth,
Mala chaol is gruaidh an àigh,
Beul as binne sheinneas dàn,
'S tha mi 'dol ga pòsadh.

'S ann aig ceilidh aig a' Mhòd
Fhuair mi eòlas air an òigh -
'S ise choisinn am bonn òir,
'S tha mi 'dol ga pòsadh.

Bidh mo ghaol do Màiri Bhàn
Dìleas, dùrachdach gu bràth;
Seinnidh sinn da chèil' ar gràdh,
'S tha mi 'dol ga pòsadh.

traditional Gaelic song

Translation

The love of my heart, fair-haired Mairi,
Beautiful Mairi, the story of my song;
She is my true love, fair-haired Mairi,
And I am going to marry her.

I fell in love last night,
My very heart is up on a mountain,
Fair-haired Mairi beside me, singing,
And I am going to marry her.

Golden locks and gentle eyes,
Narrow eyebrow and merry cheek,
Sweetest mouth to sing a song,
And I am going to marry her.

It was at a ceilidh at the Mod
I became aware of the young woman –
It was she that won the gold medal
And I am going to marry her.

My love for fair-haired Mairi will be
Faithful, sincere for ever;
Together we will sing our love,
And I am going to marry her.

Canasg editors

Full pronunciation guide provided

Price

The price of this piece depends on the number of singers in your group. This is a single payment for a licence to make as many copies as you need for your group to rehearse and perform the song as often as you wish. Copies of the song must not be given, lent or sold to any other group.

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Companion pieces

Browse the Scots and Gaelic section of the Canasg catalogue for more songs like this one. To go there now, click on the 'catalogue' box to the right.

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