Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

390
A mhic, ma theid thii 'g an taghadh,
Na tagh na dubha mora, no ua donua-mala ;
Na tagh Cinneagag, no Cruinneagag, no Snàtlidag,
No Leum-air-mlieall, no Cnap-air-sluigein,
No Luinneagag- liana, no Piobaire-na-tota ;
Ach tagh bean dhonn, mar thonn air uisge glan ;
Ciarag bheag air dhath na Inch, na sir 's na seachain.
This is one of the most complete versions of that already given
at p. 330.
An Srath-'Ion'ineach geal,
'S an grinne beus gnn smal ;
An Srath 's an cruaidhe clach,
'S an sgaitich cù 'us bean !
This refers to the parish of Strath in Skye, the old territory of the
MacKiuuons.
Carson a bhithinn mar chroman-loin,
A' tional loin air bhàrr gach pris Ì
Carson nach caithinn-sa an saoghal,
'S giir cinnt' gu'n caith an saoghal mis' ]
Gaoth an iar air rudh' na Feiste,
Oidhche dhorcha, ceo 'us uisge,
Clann Dùnuill air bhordaibh briste,
Leam cha mhisde !
Birlinn chaol chorrach,
Siùil àrd bhinneach,
Sgioba fliann fheargach,
Gun urram aon d' a cheile.
This expresses the bad wish of a MacLeod for the MacDonalds, when
these two great clans were at deadly feud, and nothing could be more
terribly graphic. There is genius in the imagination of the accumulated
horrors. The ' Feiste ' is a wild black rocky point on the west of Sk3'e,
near the grand cliff of Vaterstein, a place of dread for any distressed
bark, in a dark night with west wind. The description of the galley,
as ' slender and crank, with high peaked sails, ' and that of the crew as
' weak, angry, none respecting his fellow,' is the beau-ideal of nautical
risk and of anarchy.
A version somewhat similar was given to me as a MacDonald prayer
for the MacLeods, but this is the better one.
Is fearr beagan na 'bhi gun ni,
Is fearr caraid' na con-amhir,
Is fearr a bhi sona na 'bhi glic,
Ach coisnidh an t-aithneach an t-anam.
This is given by Macintosh, and the word ' con-amhir ' is translated
* enemy, ' but it is to be found nowhere else.