Tag: Tobar an Dualchais
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Tha mi Sgìth / Buain na Rainich (I am Tired / Cutting the Bracken)
This is an absolute classic Port à Beul in strathspey time. There have been many versions of this song sung in Gàidhlig, and arrangements for pipes in different rhythms and time signatures. This version is based on the singing of Annie Arnott, which can be found here: https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/99797?l=en Annie Arnott Annie is a legendary figure in…
John Charles Bauschatz
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Hì Horò na Boireannaich – Hì Horò the Women
The structure of this melody is interesting – the first line is in C major, but the second line is in the relative key of A minor. The video linked above has the drones tuned to C/G, which emphasizes the major line. Next is the same arrangement but with the drones tuned to A/E/A to…
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Cairistìona Nighean Eòghainn – Christina, Ewan’s Daughter
Cairistìona Nighean Eòghainn – Christina, Ewan’s Daughter This joyful port à beul reel celebrates the return of Christina, daughter of Ewen/Owen, when she was nearly lost. The lyrics say that the pipes will play and people will dance a jolly dance. Full lyrics here. My pipe arrangement is based largely on Anne Marie MacLean’s performance…
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Am Faca Tu Saor an t-Sàbhaidh? – Have You Seen the Sawing Joiner?
This light-hearted port à beul is a bit of a tongue-twister. The lyrics are a play on the words saor an t-sàbhaidh (sawing joiner) and sàbh an t-saoir (joiner’s saw). Full lyrics can be found here. Here’s Anne Marie MacLean singing it in a set at the Mòd in 2000: https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/95360?l=en. Rev. Willie Mattheson sings…
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Mhnathan a’ Ghlinne Sa – Women of the Glen
Mhnathan a’ Ghlinne Sa – Women of the Glen. This beautiful pibroch song was performed by Nan MacKinnon in 1960: https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/100195?l=en. The sorrowful lyrics address the women of the glen, telling them it’s time to rise and flee. There are also some lyrics of lamentation which appear to be borrowed from Mackintosh’s Lament. The Story…
John Charles Bauschatz
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Bhon Chuir Mo Leannan Cùlaibh Rium – Since My Love Turned His Back on Me
This song version is taken from Anne Marie MacLean’s performance at the Royal National Mòd. https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/95360?l=en. Notice that the pickup notes are written as eighth notes, but the singer often shortens them to take a breath. It’s nice to vary the length on the pipes as well, for the sake of variety. Other Versions This…
John Charles Bauschatz
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Meal do Bhrògan – Praise your Shoes
This port à beul is in reel time, but has an irregular meter in the second part. I asked Brìghde about the unusual rhythm and she said, “Well the worst-case scenario is that someone starts trying to clog”. So clog with care on this one! Here is Margaret Stewart-Harding singing the song: https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/100930?l=en. The irregular…
John Charles Bauschatz
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Am Buachaille Dubh – the Black-Haired Shepherd Boy
When I practice, most of my concentration is on slowing down – relaxing and avoiding rushing. However, I’m struggling to keep up with the vocalists on this one! Here’s Wilma Kennedy’s excellent performance of the song as the conclusion of a set: https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/92767?l=en. And here’s an ensemble performance featuring Mary Ann Kennedy and James Graham…
John Charles Bauschatz
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Pòg o Leannan an Fhìdhleir – a Kiss for the Fiddler’s Sweetheart
Pòg o Leannan an Fhìdhleir – a Kiss for the Fiddler’s Sweetheart. This strathspey comes to us from a set of pùirt a beul, vocal dance songs, sung by Wilma Kennedy. Listen to Wilma’s original version here: https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/92767?l=en The tune has a repetitive but highly engaging structure. There are multiple parallel intervals featured, starting with…
John Charles Bauschatz
Às an Tobar - From the Well 