Cover of the beautiful Sarah MacLachlann song.  One of my favourites!

Arms of the Angel

Traditional Gaelic song from 1571.  A lament for Gregor MacGregor after his beheading by the chief of the clan Campbell.  Song performed here by Cruinn.  Rachel Walker on lead vocals.

Strings by Patsy Reid

Griogal Cridhe

Love song.  Composed Rachel Walker, performed by Cruinn, Rachel Walker lead vocals.

Lyrics (Translation below)
Dhuisg mi an-raoir
Gad ionndrainn san oidhche;
Dh’fhàg thu mi brùite gun sunnd,
Thusa nam bhruadairean,
’S tusa nam smuain,
’S luaineach mo chadal ’s mo shuain.

Nam faighinn mo mhiann
Cha bhi ach thusa rim thaobh;
Dhannsamaid gu ciaradh an là,
Tionndadh nad ghairdean, dham chumail gu dlùth,
’S d’ anail bhlàth air mo ghruaidh.

Gaol, a ghaoil,
Robh thu riamh ann an gaol
Dh’fhàg thu gun anail ’s thug sòlas bho d’ shaoghal;
Gaol gun dòchas gun fhreagairt,
Gun dòchas ’son sìth,
An gaol eadar thusa is mi.

’S aig deireadh na h-oidhche,
Fo sholas nan reul,
Gach rionnag a’ deàrrsadh gun sgleò;
Thogainn mo shùil ruit, mar fhlùr sireadh ghrèin;
Gheibhinn ceud bhlàs air do phòg.

Gaol, a ghaoil,
Robh thu riamh ann an gaol
Dh’fhàg thu gun anail ’s thug sòlas bho d’ shaoghal;
Gaol gun dòchas gun fhreagairt,
Gun dòchas ’son sìth,
An gaol eadar thusa is mi

Ach chan eil gaol eadar thusa is mi.

Hopeless.

I woke last night
Longing for you;
You have left me bruised and unhappy,
You are in my dreams,
You are in my thoughts,
And my sleep is uneasy.

If I had my wish
You alone would be by my side;
We’d dance till dusk,
Turning in your arms, keeping me close,
And your warm breath on my cheek.

Love, love,
Were you ever in love
That left you breathless, and took the light from your world;
Love without hope, without answer,
Without hope, without peace,
The love between you and me.

And at the end of the night,
Under the light of the stars,
Each star shining brightly;
I’d lift my eyes to you, like a flower seeking water;
I’d taste your kiss for the first time.

Love, love
Were you ever in love
That left you breathless, and took the light from your world;
Love without hope, without answer,
Without hope, without peace,
The love between you and me.

But there’s no love between you and me.
	


Gun Dòchas

Fada Bhuam / Far from me

(Words & Music R. Walker)
I composed this song after watching a news item on troops returning home from Afganistan on leave. Many had been away for several months, and some of were seeing their new-born babies for the first time. 

Seoladh thar chuan
‘S tusa fada bhuam

Hìll a rinn horò mo rùn                                                      
M' inntinn trom 's mo chridhe bochd                       
Hìll a rinn horò mo rùn                                    
'S fhada bhuamsa tha thu nochd.            
 
Dh'fhàg thu 'n cala fuar an-dè                          
Air bòrd HMS Dùn Èideann                                 
Ghluais à gualainn na tuinn uain'                
Nach luath a tug i bhuam thu, a luaidh.
 Hìll a rinn horò mo rùn                                    
'S fhada bhuamsa tha thu nochd.            

Ged 's uaibhreach mi gun tug mi gaol                       
Do mharaiche a tha san Nèibhidh                   
Cadal sìtheil chan fhaigh mi                               
Gus an till thu slàn gu tìr.                               
Hìll a rinn horò mo rùn                                                      
M' inntinn trom 's mo chridhe bochd                       
Hìll a rinn horò mo rùn                                    
'S fhada bhuamsa tha thu nochd.            
 
Thig am foghar fo chleoc’ an òir              
Thig am fuachd geal sa gheamhradh  
Thig dhan t-saoghal leanaibh ùr                 
Mum bith thu dhachaigh leinn le sùrd                
Hìll a rinn horò mo rùn                                    
'S fhada bhuamsa tha thu nochd.            
 
'S tric a tha mo smuaintean ort                        
Gad ionndrainn rè gach là ‘s gach oidhche                                             
Thoir mo bheannachd leat mo rùn                  
‘S cùm sàbhailt' air a' chuan.                        
Hìll a rinn horò mo rùn                                                      
M' inntinn trom 's mo chridhe bochd                       
Hìll a rinn horò mo rùn                                    
'S fhada bhuamsa tha thu nochd.            
 
Translation

Far From Me

Sailing across the ocean
You are far from me

Hìll a rinn horò my love,
My thoughts are sad, my heart is heavy. 
Hìll a rinn horò my love, 
you are far from me tonight
 
You left the cold harbour yesterday
Aboard HMS Edinburgh. 
Her bow cut through the green waves.  
She took me from you so swiftly, love
Hìll a rinn horò my love, 
you are far from me tonight

Although I am proud to give my love
To a sailor in the Navy,
I will not get restful sleep
Until you return to shore.
Hìll a rinn horò my love,
My thoughts are sad, my heart is heavy. 
Hìll a rinn horò my love, 
you are far from me tonight

The autumn will come under a cloak of gold.  
The white frost of winter will come.  
Our new baby will come into the world
Before your eager return to us.
Hìll a rinn horò my love, 
you are far from me tonight

My thoughts are often of you, 
Missing you each day and night.  
Take my blessing with you my love
And stay safe on the ocean.
Hìll a rinn horò my love,
My thoughts are sad, my heart is heavy. 
Hìll a rinn horò my love, 
you are far from me tonight

Fada Bhuam

This song was composed by Christina Ferguson after the death of her husband, William Chisholm as he made his way home from the Battle of Culloden, which he survived.  It is a painful, heartfelt lament. 

Words and translation available at http://www.celticlyricscorner.net/walker/morun.htm.  

Keyboards / Fiddle by Allan Henderson.

Fon Reul - Sholus

Mo Rùn Geal Òg

Singer / Songwriter and Composer specialising in Gaelic and traditional music.  Love a good vocal harmony!

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