Matheson Collection > Bardachd Ghaidhlig

1. Iniroduction.
stress on the last syllable, followed by an ò-pbrase of
two syllables, with single stress, and that on the last
syllable. Or, more briefly, the strophe consists of a
triple double-stressed w-phrase, with its final stress
ultimate, followed by an à-phrase of two syllabìcs with
single ultimate stress. This à-phrase is repeated
througho'ut the poem, which may therefore be called
an a-poem. The form of this and the following ten
examples may be represented compendiously : —
3 {A Dhòmhnuill an Dùin) thar chàch.
Thìs fine swinging measure has been copied with
success iii the English iqrmni, "Over the Sea to Skye. "
Loud the winds howl, loud the v/aves roar,
Thunder clouds rend the air;
Baffled our foes stand by the shore,
Follow they will not dare.
The changes of measure in the course of this poem and
similar poems indicate changes of stroke in the rowing.
■Quite often the opening strophes of an iorram show
imperfect assonance as compared with the rest of the
poem, reflecting probably the movement of the oars
before the crew have got properly together in their
swing; compare the opening of lorram na Truaighc,
p. 201, with the following stanzas.
(40) P. 226:
Nan dubhadh an sl/abh 's gun cromadh a' ghr/an
leam bu mhithich bhith tr/all air chuairt.
A triple double-stressed fa-phrase with its final stress
ultimate, followed by a i/a-phrase of two syllables with
single ultimate stress. A t/a-poem.
(41) P. 239, A mhic an fhir ruaidh, etc.
Similar to the above, but the final phrase, of three