Brigid Mhairi sings The Dark Island

[5bears799]

nice one u 2

[AlbaSiar]

Tha Beinn na Faoghla anns na h-Eileanan Siar ann an Alba, eadar Uibhist a-Tuath agus Uibhist a Deas

[BrigidMhairi]

@AlbaSiar Thanks for commenting. :) I wish I could read it but anyway- thanks.

[BigKat62]

When I was searching the "Dark Island" on YouTube (as I play it on the sax), the last person I expected to see was you.

Solly Hhit! when you said your voice was your chosen instrument, I thought, what you doing working in a bike shop, guess you love your Dad.

The Big Guy with the MOT.

[BrigidMhairi]

@BigKat62 LOL thanks! I do sing a bit more than I work for dad. ;)

The Little Ginger behind the counter.

[ferioderthedemon666]

very good

[BrigidMhairi]

@ferioderthedemon666 thank you. :)

[gwerin2008]

This really is a very beautiful song, but also a very controvertial one, if you ever try looking up who wrote it you will find out why. I love this version because it always brings to mind my childhood, but I think that the Ross lyrics were more evocative and frequently move me to tears.

[BrigidMhairi]

I did but I don't get it. Can you tell me more because I am singing this again for my upcoming album and I like to know all I can about the music. :)

[gwerin2008]

The tune was originally written as a pipe lament by allan MacCormack of Benbecula and named Dr MacAuley's farewell to Creagorry. It was copyrighted by his neighbour Iain Maclachlan and is often attributed to him.

Two sets of Lyrics were written for it in the 60s. One was by Stewart Ross, the other (which you sang) was by David Silver. Silver had permission from Essex Music, who held the copyright. Ross' version was withdrawn due to copyright reasons.

[gwerin2008]

In 1965 Callum and Fiona Kennedy picked up on Ross' lyrics, performed it on tv etc and got a gold selling album for PYE records. Ross got none of the credit or royalities for his unauthorised version, which was often attributed to David Silver. He eventually won a court case in 1977, but by then PYE records had gone bust.

In 1985 a contract was signed to accept Ross' version to be oficially recognised, but Silver didn't want to allow another official version. Thus Ross version was banned.

[gwerin2008]

A lot of people think this is an old traditional tune, and have therefore produced their own lyrics for it, but it is still under copyright.

Despite this, quite a few unauthorised versions are produced and most of them are beautiful to listen to.

[gwerin2008]

I know three versions in English and have heard of at least two others. I have akso recently herd some gaelic versions, but as I don't speak gaelic, I couldn't say how many.

[gwerin2008]

Simply beautiful.

[Emyntari]

Thank you, Brigid, for singing this song. Best regards from the Basque Country :D

[difjonas1]

this one was beter

[BrigidMhairi]

Oh?

[3sphynxmom]

Brigid, you have a beautiful voice! I look forward to hearing more from you.

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you so much 1sphynxmom. :D

[xbannockburnx]

Brigid, I love your voice and how you sing this and I don't want to be patronising but I think you'd do better without the words in front of you, then you could focus more on relaxing and giving your whole soul to it. Love you. Can you sing 'Dream Angus' or 'Come by the hills'. I think you'd be great at both.

[BrigidMhairi]

That's OK, I don't normally use lyric sheets but I hadn't learned the words for it and had to for this song. I did it because it was a song the Sheriff of Berwick asked me to do and he was there that day. Now I'd sing it without the words but I am still waiting for him to accompany me on his blues harp. ;) Answered your other comment about those two songs. :D

[difjonas1]

what is this profesionals dont use paper and its werry strange that you sing wrong althogh you got this paper whay? how i jurne four the cryes of the seagles in flyte it is what cind of paper do you have soory to say this but its the true

[BrigidMhairi]

difjonas- do you ever say anything constructive or just take pride in being obnoxious and writing absolute jibberish? Do you even know what "professional" means? It means people who get paid to do something. I don't and didn't. Move on already.

[xbannockburnx]

Sorry Brigid, I've just discovered you. And wish you all the best. I'm missing the 'X Factor' just to listen to your voice. What age are you and do you come from Ireland?

[BrokenHeart4490]

my whole scottish family loves this song. i sing it often. i love you singing it. its a very natural talent you have x you dont try and do stupid stuff with ur voice like most these days :P

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you so much for that comment. I preferred the first time I sang this one but I forgot the words because I got nervous for the first time ever. As for not doing too much with the voice, well it doesn't suit the song because must Scottish tunes should just be sung "honest" don't you think? xb

[BrokenHeart4490]

definetly. yea i liked the first time u sang it too. bit of a panic with the broke guitar string :O lol but its amazing how well u did with the new song because its not easy x may i suggest wild mountain thyme? lol i love that song

[BrigidMhairi]

I sang it a cappella once and I had to make it private because people were exceedingly nasty about it to the point of flaming and trolling. Nothing is worth it and yeah, I will redo it one day because mum has been at me to record it. The thing is I'd like to do it with a band... Like Runrig?! :P xBee

[AvFoJa]

i love this song!

brings back many happy memories x

[BrigidMhairi]

I really like it to. xb

[maartieboy]

reminds me of my dead grand pa :(

[BrigidMhairi]

Aww did he like this song then? xB

[maartieboy]

yeah :) it was his funeral song

[ritnea85]

Well done. Its such a great song,one of the best.

[BrigidMhairi]

thank you ritnea I think so too. xb

[fenristhewolf]

I love this song so much, and I love your voice. I want this song to be played at my funeral.

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you so much fenristhewolf. Meant for the reply I left below to do both- my dad wants My Way but the Sex Pistol's version and mum wants Loch Lomond. xb

[ghostpiper1]

That was very nice, lovely voice. Thanks for posting it.

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you ghostpiper1. I thought we were just there to support charity though. Turned out to have been a contest which was a bit of a shock. :D My dad wants My Way done Sex Pistols style. Mum wants Loch Lomond because of the famous lines.

[mikey5]

The way you sung it was fine!!! Lovely. All songs should be open to interpretation otherwise repetitive - well done!

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you very much mikey5. I agree, songs should be interpreted to come alive. They mean different things to different people and that is good.  (:

[goodgirlvicky]

yes this was alright sung but if u dont mind me saying u sung the song a completely different way to the way to was origanaly i can only say this because i have sung this song since i was 4 and won many a compitition i found it difficlt to keep along with u but good try

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you. I don't copy other people, I try to make each song my own and if you think it sounded different then I suceeded. :) xBrig

[ward1066]

Beautiful song, and beautifully sung.

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you very much ward. I preferred the first time I sang it. Somehow I still haven't had the time to learn the words.  Done LOADS of other songs since so not sure why. :O

[partridgehearne]

Just do it unaccompanied, the tune and your voice are quite strong enough, although acoustically tents are quite appalling.

[BrigidMhairi]

Thanks partridgehearne. I don't know how come I missed your comment but I did. Sorry. :( Anyway, I am going to do it with blues harp and guitar one day to get that haunting effect at the start. Would like some strings as well but I will leave that to the sheriff as it was his choice. :) And the guy who was doing the mixing turned off the reverb completely when I only asked him to turn it down a little. So it sounds worse than it needed to. :(

[moondogg55]

Brigid, that wonderful voice of yours outshines any audio mistake, or venue shortcoming. Some people use 'effects' to mask their lack of talent (I know - I've done it!) But real talent, like yours, requires nothing, other than to be heard. *****

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you Tom. You always say such great and encouraging things.  I did this again this Tuesday and I think it works better with me being unplugged because mum's stereo mic picks up better than that PA did. :) I might do this one on my debut album...

[rht341]

I hate when that happens! :) j/k i'm in no way, shape, or form any kind of musician.

[BrigidMhairi]

Lol!  Mum was like "Brigid, be more forceful. MAKE them turn it up again in future" and I was like "yeah, yeah" :P

[rht341]

Very nice...great performance...enjoyed the song!

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you rht341. [: I asked them to turn down the reverb and they turned it off completely. Grr :P

[Brianswers]

Very nice song Brigid! :)

[BrigidMhairi]

Thanks for always checking out my videos Brianswers. [: xxx

[Lethesunshine]

First of all...I love the song and the way it was sung! You look and sound awesome!

Sending (((Hugs))) Your Way!

~Mimi

[BrigidMhairi]

Thank you very much for the (((HUGS))) Mimi and thank you for the compliments. [: xxx

[amyloader]

You sound great and look fantastic...so grown up.

Amy xx

[BrigidMhairi]

Aww- first comment amy! Thanks. [: It has been a crazy weekend. More later. xxx