Dh’ionnsaich mi a’ chiad òran bhon t‑seinn aig Alasdair Boidhd à Uibhist a Deas.  Mo thaing do Mhòrag Dhòmhnallach airson a cuideachaidh.  ’S e Màiri NicAonghais a thug dhomh an dàrna òran, nuair a bha sinn air chuairt le Gillebrìde Mac a’ Mhaoilein ann an 2005.

These are two songs from Uist which evolved into a set after Eamon, John Doyle and I got together one night in Glasgow.  Thanks to Mòrag Dhòmhnallach for her help here.

Hùg air a’ Bhonaid Mhòir
Hùg air a’ bhonaid mhòir,
Cuiribh oirre ’s leigibh leatha;
Tuilleadh air a’ bhonaid eile,
Chan eil leth gu leòr oirre.

Bhonaid a bh’ aig Dòmhnall Bàn
Ann an Bothalam na tàmh,
Bha i uiread ris an spàrr,
B’ àird’ i na lòban.

Celebrate the great bonnet!
Celebrate the great bonnet!
Add to it, leave it alone.
More on the other bonnet.
There’s not half enough on it .

Donald Ban’s bonnet
is to be found in Bothalam.
It was as high as the roof joist,
higher than the corn-stack frame.

Da Thàbh air an Fharaidh,
Da thàbh air an fharaidh,
Tha rud shìos anns a’ charaidh;
Da thàbh air an fharaidh,
Tha rud aig an fhaoileig.

Ged tha mi gun rud agam,
Tha rud shios anns a’ charaidh;
Ged tha mi gun rud agam,
Tha rud aig an fhaoileig.

Two Spoon Nets in the Loft
Two spoon nets in the loft,
There’s something in the fish-trap;
Two spoon-nets in the loft,
The seagull has a catch.

Although I’m empty-handed,
There’s something in the fish trap;
Although I’m empty handed,
The seagull has a catch.