"Fear a' Bhàta" - CAPERCAILLIE

Recorded at The Old Fruitmarket Glasgow for Celtic Connections.

Karen Matheson - vocals

Composed in the late 18th Century by Jane Finlayson of Tong, Lewis for a young Uig fisherman, Donald MacRae.

The following is the English translation:

chorus
Boatman, o ho ro eile
Boatman, o ho ro eile
Boatman, o ho ro eile
A fond farewell wherever you go

I often look from the highest hill
To try and see the boatman
Will you come today or tomorrow
If you don't come at all I will be downhearted

My heart is broken and bruised
With tears often flowing from my eyes
Will you come tonight or will I expect you
Or will I close the door with a sad sigh?

I often ask people on boats
Whether they see you or whether you are safe
Each of them says
That I was foolish to fall in love with you.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Fear
• a'
• Bhàta
• Capercaillie
• Karen
• Matheson
• Glasgow
• Old
• Fruitmarket
• Celtic
• Connections
• gaelic
• Scotland
• folk
• traditional

[PennyPaola]

*sigh* The words of this song are so sad, but her voice is simply and purely beautiful ...

[tomtscotland]

...and your comment explains the beauty of this performance ..thanks.

[tomtscotland]

Karen - you are the best!

[jimdreferee]

Karen Mathieson, like an angel whispering in your ear

[WhiteTiger333]

Karen's one of the best, that's for sure. All of Capercaillie are great, too!

[kingsdaughter2011]

It's also on "The Blood is Strong." Thanks for answering. It's nice to know thee's more than one rendition.

[msjay248]

@kingsdaughter2011 , you will find it in the album 'an introduction to Capercaillie' on i-tunes, but not this version of it

[kingsdaughter2011]

What album is this from? I want to find it on Itunes.

[kingsdaughter2011]

I wonder, are the gaelic words roughly the same is the English? Very beautiful. Look for Niamh Parsons singing it in the Irish.

[silentmajor]

@allisonforfornsed Nice taste in music Allison

[scotsexile1]

Sem duvida, tem Nordestinos com sangue celta - este olhos claros que vocâ encontra onde você não espera - dos gallegos e dos outros celtas.

Viva o Brasil e Escócia!

[allisonforfornsed]

@camposi I know..such a simple tune...and yet....it breaks the heart!

[PhalainaBelgium]

Unique performance !! Nearly a capella and so beautiful !! Phalaïna

[thedruid85]

for the most strange it may seem, this song reminds me of my homeland and the sad tunes by luiz gonzaga. but hey, many people in northeastern brazil might have a drop of celtic blood, right?

[Morgana54]

Amei !!