Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 4, 1896

140 THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
MO NIGHEAN DONN, BHOID HEACH- MY BROWN-HAIRED MAIDEN.
A Plieigi dhonn nam bhith-shnl,
Gur troui a thug mi grJidh dhuit :
Tha d' iomhaigh ghaoil, 'us d' ailleachd,
A ghnkth tigh'nn fo m' iiidh.
Cha cheil mi air an t-saoghal
Gu bheil mo mhiann 's mo ghaol ort ;
'S ged chaidh mi uait air faondradli.
Cha chaochail mo run.
'N uair bha mi ann ad hxthair,
Bu shona bha mo Ikithean —
A' sealhliachadh do mhimrain,
'Us iille do ghniiis.
Gniiis aoidheil, bhanail mhalda
Na h-oigh a's caoimhe nadur ;
I suau'ce, ceanail, baigheil,
Lkn grais agus muim.
Ge lurach air a' chabhsair
Na mnathan oga Gallda,
A righ ! gur beag mo gheall-s'
Air bhi sealltainn 'n an gniiis.
'S ann tha mo rim 's na beanntaibli.
Far bheil mo rlbhinn ghreannar,
Mar ros am fiisach Shamhraidh ,
An gleann fad o 'shiiil.
Thine eye with love is gleaning ;
Thy face with beauty beaming ;
AVhen waking, or when dreaniin,',
My thoughts dwell on thee.
Forget thee will I never,
But I will love thee ever ;
Though many miles us sever,
I'm still true to thee.
When I was staying near thee,
Thy presence sweet did cheer me ;
And charming 'twas to hear thee
Sing gaily and free.
Of cheerful, comely features ;
Of gentle, kindly nature ;
There ne'er was living creature
More lovely than thee.
Though Lowland girls are fine, love,
E'n some may say divine, love.
There's none can thee outshine, love.
Or lure me from thee.
For 'mong the hills she's dwelling,
Where chrystal streams are welling;
Like rose, all flowers excelling.
The maiden for me.
Ach 'n uair a thig an Samhradh,
Bheir mise sgriob do 'n ghleann ud,
'S gu 'n tog mi leam do 'n Ghalldaohd,
Gu h-annsail, am fliir.
Gaelic words from Sinclair's " Obanakjhb." Translation by Mr. M. MacFarlank, Paisley.
When summer comes again, love,
F'U seek your Highland glen, love.
Mine own to make you then, love.
And take thee with me.
CLAN MACKAY SOCIETY.
The kiohth annual social fiATHERiNG was held in the
Freemasons' Hall, Edinburgh, ou 13th March, Councillor
William Maokay, Inverness, pi'esident, in the chair.
There was a very large gathering of the clan and friends,
the hall being crowded. Among those present were
Sheriff Eneas .1, G. Mackay, Colonel A. Forbes Maokay,
Dr, George Mackay, Messrs. John Mackay (Ben Reay),
W.D. Mackay, U.S.A., John Jlackay, Hun Seci/., A. R.
Mackay, Assl. Secy., James R. Mackay, Thomas A.
Mackay, Donald Mackay "Strathnaver," John Mackay,
Alex. Mackay, LL.D. , Colonel Alan J. Cokjuhoun,
R.A., Surgeon-Major John Macgregor, M.D., Rev.
Robert Blair, D.D., and representatives from the various
clau societies and shinty clubs, etc. Tea and cake were
provided and served by a committee of ladies of the
clan, presided over by Mrs. Sheriff Mackay. The
learned chairman delivered an eloquent address, in
which he reviewed the past history of the society, and
the useful work it has performed, aud commented upon
the present flourishing state of its membership and
funds. He considered it a very great honour to have
been chosen as president of the society. An attracti\ e
programme of vocal and pipe music and Highland
dancing was then gone tln'ough. Colonel Forbes Mackay
proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and a special
cheer for his wife (a daughter of John Mackay, Here-
ford) who was present, which we'e given with great
heartiness. Three rousing cheers were also given for
Mr. Mackay, Hereford, the "grand old man" of the
Maokay clan, which sufficiently expressed the liigh
respect in which he is held by his clansmen. The
chairman returned thanks for these expressions of
goodwill. A dance followed, which was well attended.