Blair Collection > Clàrsach shioin

PI^BPAGE.
I. The following pages contain (1) a «!e'ection from the English
hymns in general use ; (2) a few of the hymns used by the ancient
Celtic Church ; and >. 3) selections of verses from four of the native
Gaelic hymn writers.
II. The most of the renderings are published for the first time.
A few of them appeared in " Brat.\ch na Firinn " conducted by
the writer, some twelve years ago, when the country was moved by
the labours of the American Evangelists.
III. The Hiirhlanders are a music-loving people ; but various
causes, especially in recent years, have conspired to prevent the
circulation of h3Tnns among them. It is pleasant to mark that
these causes are now vanishing. A few years ago the author
had a conversation with the late Rev. Dr. Kennedy of Dingwall, on
the question, and received considerable encouragement to go on
with the present work from that lamented and distinguished divine.
This encouragement, emphasised by the kindly approval nf other
friends interested in the Highlands such as the Rev. Dr. Murray
Mitchell, helped to keep the project, even in the midst of other
exacting duties, before the writer's mind. These friends rightly
judged that nothin«' could be more helpful towards the cultivation
of a devotional spirit in the Highlands than the circulation of
Gospel hymns. They were well aware that even the hymn-poems
of Buchanan and Grant are not extensively read ; and wished to see
something new in a cheap form placed in the hands of our country-
men. The present little volume is a first instalment in that
direction.
IV. It is hoped that these translations will be found idiomatic,
natural, ard fresh ; and that the attempt to overcome the "fatal
facility '' of mere vowel rhj-mes has been fairly successful. These
are almost the first Gaelic compositions in which accmate conso-
nantal rhymes are observed throughout.
V. The author trusts that he will not be regarded as presumptu-
ous in sending forth this effort among the Gaelic-speaking High-
landers. From the period of his very boyhood he has interested
himself in Highland Hymnology. His heart has always been in the
subject ; and he has served a long and devoted apprenticeship to
the attainment of what Wordsworth calls the "accomplishment
of verse." Through the kindness of the Rev. Professor Blaikie,
D.D.,he has been enabled to give some account of Celtic Hymn-
ology in The Catholic PRKSBTfERiAX, in the articles " Hymns of
the Highlands," and the " Latin Hymns of the Ancient Celtic
Church," studies which have brought him into contact with the
very heart and genius of the sacred mu?e of his native Irrd.
VI. The size and price of this little work bring it within the
reach of all ; and the prayer of the translator is that thcFe sacred
songs may become conduits of rich blessing tohis Highland country-
men.
N. MACNEILL.
London,
1st June, 1886,