Fear a'Bhata (Capercaillie)

[278cat]

We learned that In school and that was the best song we ever learned in our Gaelic lessons and it was amazing!!!!

[osrik100]

is there any site or anything like that i wanna learn that language

[Moondancer007]

Bhain mé an-sult as an t-amhrán seo! Go raibh maith agat!! Ó Chontae an Dún, Éire :)

[sunnydawn1960]

Sorry to disagree Wub but i beg to differ,Karen Mathieson is singing in Scots Gaelic not Irish ,very,very similar but there are differences.

[misspotatoehead88]

Beautiful song.What language is this?

[sunnydawn1960]

@misspotatoehead88 It`s Gaelic,the language of the Scottish among others.

[misspotatoehead88]

@sunnydawn1960 It's Scottish? I never would have guessed scottish and i'm Irish. I thought the two were supposed to be similar.Very beautiful though.And thank you for replying!!

[WubZers]

@sunnydawn1960 This particular song is in Irish Gaelge.

[LDixon007]

Is this the greatest performance of a song, by a woman singer, of all time?

Maybe.

[xxEmoStarMCRxx]

Uabhasach breagha! <3

[maryschacht]

I cry when I hear this! I used to be embarrassed, bursting into tears at "Flowers of Scotland" or anything that reminds me of my Scottish heritage, but now I just say "I'm from a beautiful island, so I'm used to being close to water"! Cry with pride, such beautiful language, beautiful pictures, who wouldn't cry. We can be first, second or third generation Canadian, American, but we were a hundred generations Scots, and blood will out"!

[DurhamRebel]

@maryschacht true. my family has been in america since the late 1600s. but i'll always have a feeling of pride and loyalty to england

[Historyisthekey]

@DurhamRebel em... ...england? Are you doing the thing where Americans call the British isles england?

[DurhamRebel]

@Historyisthekey no i was specificly talking about england. im of english acestory( my last name is durham) but then again my mom is scottish with the name wallace

[Historyisthekey]

@DurhamRebel ah right. It's just that you were making the comment on a video with Scottish culture and heritage in it I made an assumption. sorry

[DurhamRebel]

@Historyisthekey its cool. beatiful video btw

[scottishmountaineer]

Absolutely wonderful rendition of this song. I love the way Karen doesnt just *reach* the high notes, its almost as if she punches straight through them effortlessly, Her voice is in a class of its own. Heard Capercaille several times live - never fail to deliver the goods. 10 stars

[Caritone]

great voice and song thxs

[crisdean1]

it is a lovely song - often wrongly called "the Erisky love lilt"; it is from Erisky but means "oh, my boat-man". I know Eriskey quite well (not much to know - it is only about 2 miles long) and have been in the community hall when folk were singing it.

[crisdean1]

is toll leat Capercaille - nach eil sin ceart" You like Capercaille don't you - that is good. This song, coomonly but wrongly called "the Erisky love lilt". It does come from Eriksey but it means "oh, my boatman"; I know Eriskey quie well and have been in the community centre whe folk were singing this

[SisterMoonrain]

awesome awsome voice . i've seen Capercaillie live a few times ..

[PATRICELUMUMBAS]

ppppp

[SDG1750]

love love love. can anyone tell me the correct pronunciation of "Fear"? I hear different ones ("air" "ear" "fair"...) and I'm singing it for a scottish games harp and voice competition--would just like to make sure

[lsdvine]

@SDG1750 fir almost fihr

[albert19881106]

somebody can translate this song in english, french, spanish or italian please???????

[heliotropezzz333]

Hypophysis08 seems to have left an English translation, a year ago, if you scroll down the comments.

[Slievedubh]

@albert19881106

1st Verse. How often haunting the highest hilltops, I scan the ocean your boat to see. Wilt come tonight love, wilt come tomorrow, or ever come love to comfort me. (Fear 'a Bhata.....so fare thee well love where'er thou be)

2nd verse. They call thee fickle, they call thee false one and try to change me but all in vain. For thou art my love yes through the dark night and every morning I watch the main. (Fear a'bhata.. etc.)

[Slievedubh]

@albert19881106

Third verse. There's not a hamlet that well I know it where you'll go wandering or sit awhile but all the old folk you'll win with talking and charm its maidens with song and smile. (Fear a'bhata etc.)

Fourth Verse. Dost thou remember the promise made me, the tartan plaidy, the silken gown, the ring of gold with thy hair and portrait? A gown and ring I will never own. (Fear a' bhata etc.)

(Courtesy of Silly Wizard who sing this song in English. Beautiful too)

[Jess1635]

I like Connie Dover's better..

[Valmarith]

I often wonder how different things would be if Brennus had finished what he started in Rome. We only have thr Roman side of what happened, but I suspect the Romans did something to Brennus and his people. They did capture "barbarian" slaves after all.

[123elnat]

Actually, it was Brennus who was responsible for the rise of the Roman empire. Prior to the sack of Rome, Rome was just another city-state who made peace with its neighbors when it lost a battle. Afterwards, for some reason, it decided to treat every conflict as an existential one, meaning that they never, ever gave up until they were utterly destroyed or the enemy gave up. No one wanted to go up against people that crazy, and so Rome found itself ruling Italy.

[Valmarith]

@123elnat In a sense you are right, if Brennus has not led his men into Rome the Romans may not have become the xenophobic fascist they were. Rome wrote the history and did a good job depicting itself as the innocent civilized victims of mindless uncivilized barbarians, but something is odd about Brennus' behavior. It is as if his entire purpose was to humiliate Rome and eliminate it's leaders, that screams personal vendetta. Rome had taken slaves from northern italy, just a thought.

[jeffreywish]

karen matheson is such a nice singer she has a beautiful voice

[creidsinn]

Bliadhna Mhath Ùr! This haunting song appears in "the Maggie" , a hilarious b&w film from the 50s'. One felt sometimes that they were not acting. Smile. Then there is the film "Whiskey Galore". Oh I hope these come out on a DVD before my old V.R dies :( Thank you, I am now motivated for a search to find my CD with the music from "The Blood is strong ". The photos are excellent. I remember sitting on that bridge, long ago; on a hot sunny day without a cloud in the sky. Sheer magic.

[Hendeh10]

@creidsinn

Bliadhna Mhath Ur Gu Thu Cuideachd!!

An Robh E Math?

[matthiasreichelt]

very nice and impressive images to a beautiful voice and song!

[BoudiccaBlanc]

beautiful song and pictures. How blessed you were to visit there.

Thank you for sharing! :-)

[RosaLichtenstein01]

As Sean Connery said, Karen's throat has surely been kissed by god.

Unsurpassed!

[camposi]

@RosaLichtenstein01

shit - I wanted to make this post...........I was too late. the "the blood is strong-album" was the reason for me to go out and search for all Caperceilie CDs.

[Weenybean]

@RosaLichtenstein01

WOW!

He said that?

I like that....and from the sexiest man alive....!

[WhiteTiger333]

Lovely song choice for an equally lovely set of photos. Thank you!

[shoegalsho2]

Can you tell me which album or where I can download this song from. I need it for my wedding and all the other versions are just not right. I know Capercaillie has another version of this but I really need this one. Thanks

[MarieStockholm]

It's from the album "The Blood is Strong" (1995 version).

[FFangel07]

@shoegalsho2

It is harder to find that album but the easiest one to find it and many of their other songs is an anthology CD called.

Grace And Pride

[noimaginationreally]

I spent a week on Skye, based in Portree it was one of the best holidays I have had of my many in Scotland. They have the most beautiful scenary and the craziest weather!

Capercaillie, while being from Oban are the epitomy of Scottish music and are on of the country's best bands

[bb3ca201]

Tapadh leibh airson nan facal, mo charaid. Cha robh fhios agam có mheud rannan a bh'anns an òran bòidheach seo. 'Se òran binn a th'ann gu leòr...

[CenturyGamer]

GAH! EARGASM!

[lolomgzz]

here here, well said, my thoughts exactly.

[Arrawwn2]

'S tric mi sealltuinn o'n chnoc a's àirde,

Dh'fheuch am faic mi fear a'bhàta;

An tig thu 'n diugh, no 'n tig thu màireach

'S mar tig thu idir, gur truagh a tà mi.

Tha mo chrìdhe-sa briste, brùite;

S'tric na deòir a'ruidh o m' shùilean;

An tig thu'n nochd, na 'm bi mo dhùil riut,

Na 'n dùin mi 'n dorus, le osna thùrsaich?

[Arrawwn2]

'S tric mi foighneachd de luchd 'nam bàta,

Am faic iad thu, na 'm bheil thu sàbhailt;

Ach 's ann a tha gach aon diubh 'g ràitinn,

Gur gòrach mise ma thug mi gràdh dhuit.

Gheall mo leannan domh gun do 'n t-sìoda,

Gheall e sud agus breacan rìomhach;

Fainn' òir anns am faicinn 'ìomhaigh;

Ach 's eagal leam gun dean e dì-chuimhn'.

[Arrawwn2]

Cha'n eil baile beag 's am bì thu,

Nach tàmh thu greis ann, a chur do sgios dhiot;

Bheir thu làmh air do leabhar rìomhach,

A ghabhail dhuanag 's a bhuaireadh nionag.

Ged a thuirt iad gun robh thu aotrom,

Cha do lughdaich sud mo ghaol ort;

Bidh tu m' aisling anns an oidhche,

'Us anns a' mhadainn bidh mi 'gad fhoighneachd.

[Arrawwn2]

Thug mi gaol dhut, 's cha'n fhaod mi àicheadh;

Cha ghaol bliadhna, 's cha ghaol ràidhe;

Ach gaol a thòisich 'n uair bha mi m'phàisdein,

'S nach searg a chaoidh, gus an claoidh am bàs mi.

Tha mo chàirdean gu tric ag ìnnseadh,

Gum feum mi d'aogas a leig' air dì-chuimhn';

Ach tha 'n comhairle dhomh cho diamhain;

'S bhi tilleadh mara 's i tabhairt lionaidh.

[arrawwn]

Tha mo chriosan air dol an airde,

Cha'n ann bho fhidhleir, na bho chlàrsair;

Ach bho stiùireadair a bhàta--

'S mur tig thu dhachaigh, gur truagh mar tha mi.

Bi'dh mi tuille tùrsach, déurach,

Mar eala bhàn 's i an déighs a réubadh;

Guileag bàis aic' air lochan féurach,

'Us cach gu léir an déis a tréigeadh.

[arrawwn]

The posting order is backwards, of course, but ten verses are all I know. Most singers shorten it to conform to the industry expectation that every song ought to fit on a 78 vinyl record.

[arrawwn]

The song, Fhir a' Bhata is often incorrectly identified as traditional but was composed in the late 18th Century by Jane Finlay (Finlayson) of Tong, Lewis for a young Uig fisherman, Donald MacRae. Donald used to fish out of Loch Roag.

The song appears in The Scottish Gael by James Logan, first published 1876. It's also in Derick Thompson's "An introduction to Gaelic poetry", P62-63 and other gaelic songbooks.

[Hendeh10]

Is Toil Leam Capercaillie, Tha E Uabhasachd Math!!!!! Tha An Ceol Gle Breagha!!!!

[Weegable]

Nothing to add about Karen's amazing talent... but combined with the fantastic photos of Skye.. the Whole becomes Sublime.

[mbgosiaag]

Piękna :)

[Steph9737]

I like irish music, but scottish singer have something special, i like Capercaillie because they are original :) love from Panama

[davyladd08]

I think it was Sean Connery who said 'Karen Mathieson surely has a voice kissed by God'. How right he is!!!

[locheelad2]

Rabbie, I can understand easily, but on the first hearing of this, although understanding no words, the PASSION in her voice, told of lost love, lost promises, lost lives, fabulous Marie

[locheelad2]

this is from 1988 series THE BLOOD IS STRONG...CANADIAN/SCOTS co production..Matheson's voice soars..0.42 and 1.17

[jeminiiii]

One of my favorites - so beautiful...!

[DbAIRtayTAY]

i love this song, everything is beautiful, but i was used to more verses, does anyone know if this is just an excerpt of the whole or if this is all, because id love a more complete version.

[fireflyxl5]

Lovely song and photos!

[Alosnup]

A real pleasure to the senses.

[Axitutl60]

Beautiful song and singing, beautiful photos also.

[wixonuk]

I have just been watching the 1950's film "The Maggie" which is set on the west coast of Scotland ,and this tune features on the sound-track.

I have a version by the Corries, recorded in the 1960's.

[pixiekiz]

the story is actually about a grieving fiancee to a boatman lost at sea. Shes both saddened by his death and angered by it.She goes onto the hill top, desperately searching in vain to see his boat return, and curses the wretched sea for taking him.

She then goes onto being angry at how he promised her marriage, and he broke his promise. And she is angry that she cannot blame him.

its REALLY sweet

[HeartSong42]

tapadh leat - great info on the song..

[arrawwn]

Except that this is incorrect. It was written as a love song in the late 18th Century by Jane Finlay (Finlayson) of Tong, Lewis for a young Uig fisherman, Donald MacRae. Donald used to fish out of Loch Roag. The part of this story which is rarely told is that they married each other some time after she wrote the song.

[arrawwn]

It's true that some of the lyrics tell of the presents he promised to give her, and of talking to other fishermen who tell her he's just a smooth talker, but you know how men are -- wht else are they going to say? She promises to wait for him, and the song seems to have done the trick.

[nacho1560]

Just a thought. To one living on an island a boatman would be an exalted person.

[arrawwn]

They both lived on islands in the Western Isles off the coast of Scotland, Lewis and the Isle of Skye.

[Slievedubh]

Thank you so much for posting this - those magnificent photos of Scotland together with the heart-stoppingly beautiful voice of Karen Matheson.

[tortois5]

Oops sorry I meant Scotsperson!

[tortois5]

Can it get any more beautiful than this? Could some lovely Scotspeson please tell me what the words mean? Bless you.

[hypophysis08]

I went up on the tallest hill

To see if I could see the boatman

Will you come tonight or will you come tomorrow?

If you do not come, I will be wretched

Chorus:

O, Boatman, and another "horo"

My safe blessing with you everywhere you go

[tortois5]

Thank you hypophysis08, that's really kind of you. XX

[cabs55]

Como me gustaria estar en Irlanda

[bunaninver]

Es una cancion escocesa y las fotos son de la isla de Skye en Escocia -pero es verdad que parece mucho a Irlanda.

[cabs55]

realmente hermoso, gracias

[nighthawk006]

beautiful vid!!

[barraigh1]

In the words of Sean Connery, "A throat touched by god"

[zoobremia]

So lovely ... Cheers, Sven (Zoobremia)

[surrealgrotesque]

That was simply amazing, thanks for sharing

[Virpatrick]

Geat voice, great landscapes of my Highlands...Gàidhealtachd gu brath.

Slàinte 's oidhche mhath.

[oeleboeb]

great voice

[cariHOT]

'S math sin

[bb3ca201]

Cha do chluinn mi an t-òran seo o chionn 's a bha mise nam bhàlach òg. Tha na seinneadairean ga dhèanamh gu math brèagha. Tapadh leibh uile airson seo...

[katehope87]

Sgoineil

[MarieStockholm]

Tapadh leat :)

[tomtscotland]

Yes - another great video.

[PhalainaBelgium]

Wow !! Fantastic performance by Capercaillie !! Nice video show too ! Phalaina

[athnena9]

Beautiful, just beautiful!

[RosaLichtenstein01]

I have to say this is probably the best vocal performance I have ever heard.

Thank you so very much for posting it!

[chaleureux]

Sounds mystical & magical

[violinlizzy]

Beautiful.

[malafada]

love this song beautiful voice of this lady

enriches my living great gaelic words takes you away to a magical world loved by true kelts the world over

[Graham1954]

Kelts??? We are Celts!

[RalphKruhm]

Wow - you got me.