- Ailein duinn
Ailein duinn ("Dark-haired Alan") is a lament that was written for Ailean Moireasdan ("Alan Morrison") by his fiancée, Annag Chaimbeul ("Annie Campbell"). In 1788, Ailean, a sailor, set off with his ship to Scalpay,
Harris , where he and Annag would be married. In a tragic twist, the ship sailed into a storm and all on board were lost. Annag was devastated and lost her will to live, dying several months later. Her body was later discovered on the beach, not far from where Ailean's body was found. Before she died, Annag composed this lament for her lost love.Lyrics
There are many versions of the lyrics and of the melody; this version was used in the film Rob Roy:
Gura mise tha fo éislean Moch sa mhaduinn is mi g'éirigh Sèist: Ò hì shiùbhlainn leat Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho Ailein Duinn, ò hì shiùbhlainn leat Ma 's e 'n cluasag dhuit a ghaineamh Ma 's e leabaidh dhut an gheamainn Ma 's e 'n t-iasg do choinlean geala Ma 's e na ròin do luchd-faire Dh'òlainn deoch ge b' oil le càch e De dh'fhuil do choim 's tu 'n déidh do bhathadh
Translation
How sorrowful I am Early in the morning rising
Chorus (after each verse):Ò hì, I would go with thee Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with thee
If it is thy pillow the sand If it is thy bed the seaweed If it is the fish thy candles bright If it is the seals thy watchmen I would drink, though all would abhor it Of thy heart's blood after thy drowning
Popular Culture
*
Dj Tiesto 's track "A Tear in the Open" features an opening of the song.
* 's main theme includes the song with an Ave Maria chorus.
* Agoa chillout melody called Ishka byAngel Tears .
* There is also another version of the lament featured in the track Cura Me by Signum.
* Capercaillie andMéav Ní Mhaolchatha ofCeltic Woman have recorded it as a song.
* A version was used for the credits on
* The song is also featured inChaos Legion in the cave battle stage.
* It is very briefly used in one of the songs from
* It's also featured in the 'Rob Roy' movie. A girl sings it at a party while Archibald Cunningham (Tim Roth) slays McDonald (Eric Stoltz).External links
* [http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/9_3_12.html]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Zone/6338/ailein.htm]
* [http://www.last.fm/music/David+Beard/_/Ailein+Duinn+%28traditional%29]
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