This is a song about Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda (1610-1647) a Scottish folk hero and -by the standards of today- war criminal of Clan Donald in the 17th century.
translation and words from Celtic Lyrics Corner
image: the Rock of Cashel, which was sacked before the battle of Knockanuss, in which Alasdair was killed
There are two recordings, one by Capercaillie and one a capelle by James Graham which I like better. There is also a version.
Alasdair mhic, ho ho
Cholla ghasda, ho ho
As do laimh-sa, ho ho
Dh’earbainn tapachd, trom eile
Sèist:
Chall eileadh hao – chall o ho ro
Chall eileadh hao – chall o ho ro
Challa na haor ri ri – chall o ho ro
Haghaidh o ho, trom eile
As do laimh-sa
Dh’earbainn tapachd
Mharbhadh Tighearn’
Ach nam Brac leat
Mharbhadh Tighearn’
Ach nam Brac leat
Thiolaigeadh e
‘N oir an lochain
Thiolaigeadh e
‘N oir an lochain
Ged bu bheag mi
Thilg mi ploc air
Ged bu bheag mi
Thilg mi ploc air
‘S chuir siod gruaim air
Niall a’ Chaisteil
‘S chuir siod gruaim air
Niall a’ Chaisteil
‘S dh’fhag e lionndubh
Air a mhac-san
‘S dh’fhag e lionndubh
Air a mhac-san
‘S bha Ni Lachlainn
Fhèin ga bhasadh
Chuala mi’n dè
Sgeul nach b’ait leam
Glaschu bheag
Bhith na lasair
Glaschu bheag
Bhith na lasair
‘S Obair-eadhain
Air a chreachadh
Splendid Alasdair, ho ho
Son of Cholla, ho ho
From your arm, ho ho
I would expect valor, trom eile
Chorus (after each verse):
Chall eileadh hao – chall o ho ro
Chall eileadh hao – chall o ho ro
Challa na haor ri ri – chall o ho ro
Haghaidh o ho, trom eile
I would expect valor
Auchinbreck’s laird
Was killed by you
Auchinbreck’s laird
Was killed by you
And was buried
At the Lochside
And was buried
At the Lochside
Though small I was
I cast a sod on him
Though small I was
I cast a sod on him
Which made gloomy
Neil of the Castle
Which made gloomy
Neil of the Castle
And left his son
Melancholy
And left his son
Melancholy
Lachlan’s daughter
Herself was lamenting
I heard today a tale
I did not like
That little Glasgow
Was ablaze
That little Glasgow
Was ablaze
And Aberdeen
Had been plundered