Matheson Collection > Bardachd Ghaidhlig

Introduction. xlvii.
In the old strophic metre called Ochtfìioclach mòr
(great eight-phrased poetry) the longer lines end on
dissyllables : (3 x 62) + 51- The following example is
from the Book of Leinster, compiled c. 1150, but the
verse is older.— ^.^^ j^omnall na Carpre
na Niaman àn airgne,
cid iat lucht na hairddne
rot fi'at-su cen acht.
Fonaisc latt ar Morand,
mad aill leat a chomall,
naisc Carpre min Manand
is naisc ar dà mac^
The next example shows this measure applied to a
labour chant, in this case an Oran Brathann,
quem-song:— rj.j^^^ sca^adh aig mo shiVilean
Thug eallach dhiom is dùiseal,
'S tha m' ai're nis air swgradh
Le cùirteir nam flath.
Tha m' fhaireachadh air dùsgadh,
Cha chailleach ach bean -ùr mi,
Mo gh^an air aiseag lùis dhomh
S mo rùn air an t-srath.^
1 (Meave, Queen of Connacht, speaks to the hero Ferdiad, to
whom she has niade certain offers, for the fulfilment of which he
demands pledges). "Though it be Domnall or Carpre, or brilliant
wide-spoiling IS^iaman, though it be the folk of poesy, thou shalt
have them without hesitation. Bind it in thy interest on ÌMoran,
if thou wilt have it fulfilled, bind Carpre of the smooth of Manau,
and bind our two sons." 71//;/ Manand was in Connacht ; com-
pare the old province of Manau, about the head of the Firth of
Forth, whence SlcLmanna.n = Sliabh Manann, and Clackmannan
= Clach Manann.
2 Macdonald Collection, p. 334. The poem begins —
Bràth, bràth, bleith, 0, bràth, bràth, bleith,
like the Greek grinding-chant^
àXei, /xi'Xa, aXfi
"Grind, thou mill, grind." It is by far the most remarkable
of our quern-songs. Miss Frances Tolmie gives the words and air
of a waulking-song which is evidently closely connected. — Folk-
6'ong Journal, No. 16, p. 228.