Ossian Collection > Carmina gadelica

230
DÙRACHDAN
DURACHD
[282]
From Mary Mackintosh, nèe Smith, Gearraidh na Mòine, South Uist
The reciter of this poem and of other poems in this work was a woman of
great natural courtesy and intelligence. She was full of songs and hymns,
runes and rimes, and of various kinds of literary lore of much interest.
Her husband was a tailor, a man of good presence and much modesty, and
her father was Patrick Smith, crofter, of Leth Mheadhonach, South Uist.
Patrick Smith was rich in literary matter of great and varied interest and
excellence. Mr Campbell of Islay, Mr Hector Maclean, and the present
writer took down many pieces of prose and of poetry from him. He was
equally interested in both, but especially in old heroic tales in prose or
verse. During the winter nights his house used to be filled with young
and old listening to stories and poems rehearsed in simple idiomatic Gaelic.
His son, John Smith, inherited some of his father's lore but none of his
JJ EART fithich dhuit,
Feart fiolair dhuit,
Feart Feinne.
Feart gaillinn dhuit,
Feart gealaich dhuit,
Feart greine.
Feart mara dhuit,
Feart talamh dhuit,
Feart nèimhe.