THE RANKIN FAMILY - 1989 Mabou Ceilidh Concert

[ghostgrabber]

lookin a little green

[mhicnanolc]

My gawd... they are so young their!

[77eastie77]

it's all good

[GPS1356]

Thank you for posting this. These tunes made it to CD but I was so impressed to see this Video. The song that the girls sing at approx the 8 min mark; can anyone tell us what it it's about?

[UISTMAN59]

The tune is "High Road to Linton" and there are quite a few songs in Gaelic to this tune. In Uist is is "Bodachan a mhill Anna" but in Cape Breton it is "Bodachan a' mhìrein"

Bodachan a' mhìrein a' mhìrein, a' mhìrein

Bodachan a' mhìrein, Bidh e leis an daoraich.

Bodachan a ri ar o a ri ar o ar ri ar o

Bodachan a ri ar o, Bidh leis an daoraich.

The girls sing a slight variation (I think!)

[harbourtown79]

Yeah well that's great with the gaelic and everything. But what does it mean in English?

[UISTMAN59]

The Old Man Who Ravaged Anna (or The little old man with the wee piece) will be 'under the influence' (i.e. drunk.)

[harbourtown79]

That sounds rude. What are they singing about actually?

Not just the title but the words to the song.

Is it simply a happy song about a drunk and disorderly guy with a "wee piece" who got a little rough with Anna? I can't believe the Rankin's would sing about that. I don't get it. sorry.

[UISTMAN59]

That's what they were singing, honest. I'm not clever enough to make it up. Google it if you don't believe me.

[UISTMAN59]

There is a polite version from Lewis Goes:

Domhnull beag an t‑siúcair, an t‑siúcair, an t‑siúcair Domhnull beag an t‑siúcair, is dúil aige pósadh Ach cha ghabh a' chlann‑nighean e, chlann‑nighean e, chlann‑nighean e

Ach cha ghabh a' chlann‑nighean e, bho nach 'eil e boidheach - Wee Donald the sugar wants to get married but the girls wont take him since he is not bonny!

[UISTMAN59]

Just to clarify a wee bit. "Bodachan a mhill Anna" is "The Old Man Who Ravaged Anna" / "Bodachan a' mhìrein" is the " The little old man with the wee piece" these are different songs.

[harbourtown79]

LOL!! Thanks for trying to explain it.

Wee Donald isn't so bonny. I guess size does matter, even in gaelic.

[mhicnanolc]

Thanks for the words! Tapadh leibh!

[berryyellow]

More! this is totally priceless. thanks 4 posting it!

[iheartcb59]

This is wonderful. To see this group in their early years is very special.  These are some of my favourite tunes from their first tape too.

Thank you for sharing your video.

[vmfaubert]

Marvellous—the Rankin Family in full voice! Thanks so much for posting this!