Glen Collection of printed music > Printed music > Killin collection of Gaelic songs

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16.—GABHAIDH SINN AN RATHAD MOR.
(STEWARTS’ MARCH.)
By the kind permission of Colonel Duncan Stewart, I am permitted to make the following extracts from the hook of “ The Stewarts of Appin—
“ At the battle of Sheriffmuir the pipers of the clan played the ‘ March of the Stewarts,’ and hence it became known among the Perthshire Stewarts
as the Sherra’muir March. According to the traditions of the clan, this march was played alike when they were marching to battle, and in honour
of a victory. Particular mention is made of its having been played when Donald-nan-ord defeated the Earl of Menteith as the Stewarts were
returning from the battle of Pinkie, in 1547,—also at Inverlochy, Sheriffmuir, and Prestonpans; and it was recognised as the march peculiarly
appertaining to the Stewarts, and played on all excursions and forays. It is difficult to say when the Gaelic words of the present accompaniment
were composed, as, in accordance with Highland custom, the clansmen were in the habit of marching, during the intervals of the pipe music, to
their own singing, and of improvising words as they stepped gaily along. . . . The arrangement of the music commonly played in Perthshire
is as follows, and the words are translated by Mr. Charles Stewart, of Tigh ’n-diiin.” The following extract may also be interesting, taken from
the account given of my ancestor sixth in ascent, Donald Stewart of Invernahyle, commonly known as “Domlmull-nan-ord,’’ or, “Donald of the
Hammers,” who commanded the Stewarts of Appin at the battle of Pinkie:—“His chief, Allan Stewart, third of Appin, being a very old man,
and his eldest son Duncan dead, we find the clan commanded at the battle of Pinkie, on 10th September, 1547, by Invernahyle as tutor. In the
absence of the exact dates of the deaths of Allan’s sons, there is no certainty upon the point, but the strong probability appears to be that
Invernahyle held this command under exceptional conditions; that is to say, by the express appointment of the chief, in consideration of his
remarkable military abilities, and not by the claims of birthright. On their march homeward in the following month, when passing through
Menteith, the clan found prepared at the house of one of the tenants a marriage dinner, at which the Earl of Menteith was to be present. Being
very hungry, Donald and his followers quickly disposed of the feast, without much consideration of consequences. Menteith arriving immediately
afterwards, was very wroth at the insult which he conceived had been offered to him, and instantly pursued the Stewarts. On overtaking them,
one of the Grahams taunted them thus—
“‘Yellow-haired Stewarts of smartest deeds, j “ ‘ Stiubhairtich bhuidhe na tapachd.
Who could grab at the kale in your sorest needs.’ I A bheireadh glag air a’ chal.’
“To which Stewart replied—
“‘If smartness in deeds is ours by descent, I “‘Ma tha an tapachd againn mar dhiichas.
Then I draw, and to pierce you this arrow is sent.’ | ’S tusa an duine air an tarruing sinn saighead.’
at the same time suiting the action to the word. A conflict followed, in which the Earl and many of his men were killed. The Appin men
marched off in triumph, the pipers playing the Stewarts’ March.”
The Rev. Alexander Stewart, of Nether Lochaber, who is so eminent in Celtic lore and literature, writes me, “ That the Glencoe words are the
genuine original words by Iain Breac MacEanrick, (Henderson,) a celebrated piper in the time of Montrose, and, according to local tradition, the
best sword and dirk-man between Clach Toll in Appin, and Cillcuimen on Loch Ness. There was a sept of Hendersons or MacEanricks amongst
the Maclans of Glencoe from a very early date, and they still survive.” Mr. Stewart thinks he also composed the music; but in my opinion it is
much older, and there must have been older words also, which were superseded by Henderson’s.
Mode of the 1st of the Scale.
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Translation by Charles Stewart.
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Arranged by James Merrylees, G.T.S.C.
Arranged
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