WINTER SONGS
A collection of musical journeys through the quietest season, where ancient stories sleep beneath the snow and memories shimmer like frost on windowpanes.
These songs weave together the threads of Celtic tradition, world music, and classical storytelling, creating soundscapes that span from the frozen North to distant caravan routes where winter winds whisper different names. Through narrative vocals, harp, uilleann pipes, hurdy-gurdy, oud, and orchestral strings, each piece unfolds like a fireside tale told in the gathering darkness.
From the longing of "The Merchant's Dream" to the gentle wisdom of "Keeper of Songs," this collection explores winter not as an ending, but as a threshold—a time of reflection, remembrance, and the passing of songs from one generation to the next.
Best experienced by candlelight, wrapped in wool, with tea steaming and snow falling beyond your window.

Instrumentation:
Harp | Celtic Bouzouki | Uilleann Pipes | Tin Whistle | Fiddle | Hurdy-Gurdy | Oud | Kanoun | Cello | Strings | Bodhrán | Frame Drums | Tabla | Keyboards
Influences:
Celtic folk, Medieval music, Middle Eastern traditions, World fusion, Classical storytelling
Mood:
Ethereal | Contemplative | Mystical | Melancholic | Timeless

"Remember still the songs we sang back then... and when you rest at last, they will sing on."

All compositions arranged for soprano voice with traditional and world instrumentation. Each song is a journey—allow time for the stories to unfold.
#WorldMusic #CelticFusion #WinterSongs #Storytelling #EtherealMusic #TraditionalMusic #AmbientFolk #WorldFusion #HarpMusic #NarrativeMusic

The Tale - De Gabáil in tSída

Haidh a charaid,
An do chùm thu fhèin suas ris a’ Mhòd? Bha mòran farpaisich a’ seinn ann an tallachan làn dhaoine, agus uaireannan air telebhisean beò cuideachd! Às dèidh mìosan de dh’ullachaidh, tha sinn cinnteach gun robh gu leòr aca uabhasach fhèin nearbhach! Chan e rud furasta a th’ ann idir a bhith air beulaibh dhaoine, ach tha e math airson do mhisneachd a thogail agus tha e a’ toirt toileachas do na daoine a tha ag èisteachd agus a’ coimhead. 
Gu fortanach, cha leig sinn uile a leas a dhol air an àrd-ùrlar às dèidh dhuinn òran ionnsachadh, ge-tà! Dh’fhaodadh tu a dhèanamh dìreach airson spòrs. Tha e math airson do shunnd, agus faodaidh e cuideam agus iomagain a lughdachadh. ’S urrainn dha do fhèithean agus do chuimhne a neartachadh. Cuideachd, tha e a’ toirt dhut mòran chothroman gus ceanglaichean a thogail le daoine eile a tha dèidheil air seinn cuideachd. Ann an saoghal far a bheil aonaranachd pailt, tha sinn den bheachd gur e buannachd gu math cudromach a tha sin! 
Càit an tòisich thu, ma tha? Uill, tha taghadh gu leòr agad ann an saoghal na Gàidhlig. Òrain luath is òrain slaodach, òrain sona is òrain bhrònach – tha rudeigin ann dhan a h-uile duine. Mar eisimpleir, dh’fhaodadh tu port mar ’S iomadh rud a chunna’ mi ionnsachadh. Tha e an-còmhnaidh spòrsail a bhith a’ seinn ann an stoidhle puirt à beul, ged a tha e doirbh aig amannan na faclan fhaighinn a-mach! Mas fheàrr leat òran nas socraiche, dè mu dheidhinn Teann a-nall? Chan eil mòran Ghàidheil ann nach eil eòlach air – ‘crowd favourite’, mar a chanas iad sa Bheurla! 
Gus cluinntinn bho bhoireannach aig a bheil guth seinn àlainn, thèid gu LearnGaelic.scot > Coimhead & Èist > Look@LearnGaelic agus tagh Seinn. 
An toil leat fhèin a bhith a’ seinn? Dè an t-òran as fheàrr leat? Leig fios thugainn le post-d no air na meadhanan sòisealta againn!
Sin e airson seachdain eile. Bho do charaidean aig LearnGaelic, mar sin leat! 




Beurla
Hi there pal,
Did you keep up with the Mòd? Many competitors sang in halls full of people, and sometimes on live television too! After months of preparation, we’re sure a lot of them were very nervous! It’s not an easy thing at all to be in front of people, but it’s good for building your confidence and it brings joy to the people who are listening and watching. 
Fortunately, we don’t all need to go on a stage after learning a song, though! You could do it just for fun. It’s good for your mood, and it can reduce stress and anxiety. It can strengthen both your muscles and your memory. Also, it gives you many opportunities to build connections with other people who enjoy singing too. In a world where loneliness is abundant, we think that’s a very important benefit!  
Where will you start, then? Well, there’s plenty of choice in the Gaelic world. Fast songs and slow songs, happy songs and sad songs – there’s something for everyone. For example, you could learn a tune like ’S iomadh rud a chunna’ mi. It’s always fun to sing in the puirt à beul style, although it’s difficult at times to get the words out! If you prefer a calmer song, how about Teann a-nall? There aren’t many Gaels who aren’t familiar with it - a real crowd favourite! 
To hear from a woman who has a beautiful singing voice, go to LearnGaelic.scot > Watch & Listen > Look@LearnGaelic and choose Singing.
Do you like to sing? What’s your favourite song? Let us know by email or on our social media! 
That’s it for another week. From your friends at LearnGaelic, bye for now!  




Ionnsaich Òran - Learn a Song

New release! written, recorded and lived in Dublin, Ireland.

Flowers // dún

Haidh a charaid,

An còigeamh latha den t-Samhain, ’s e latha sònraichte a th’ ann. Carson a tha seo? Bidh daoine a’ lasadh theintean air feadh na dùthcha gus Oidhche nan Gealbhan a chomharrachadh. ’S e oidhche spòrsail a th’ ann sna làithean sa, ach dh’fhaodadh e air a bhith na oidhche gu math dorcha ann an eachdraidh. Ma tha thu airson barrachd fhaighinn a-mach, thoir sùil air na sgrìobh sinn an-uiridh. https://mailchi.mp/learngaelic/filte-don-t-samhain

An-diugh, tha sinn airson briathrachas cuideachail a thoirt dhut airson na h-oidhche seo:

cleasan-teine - fireworks: Tha cleasan-teine àlainn, ach feuch nach seas thu ro fhaisg orra gun fhios nach tèid càil ceàrr.

sluagh - crowd: Thàinig a’ choimhearsnachd còmhla a-raoir, bha sluagh mòr ann.

gealbhan - bonfire: An urrainn dhut barrachd fiodha a chur ris a’ ghealbhan? 

lannireag - sparkler: Seall cho soilleir ’s a tha an lannireag! 

spreadhadh - explosion: Tha e cho math nach robh Guy Fawkes soirbheachail, no bhiodh spreadhadh uabhasach air a bhith ann. 

brag - bang: Obh obh, chuir am brag ud an t-eagal orm!  

sgarfa - scarf: Feuch nach dìochuimhnich thu air an sgarfa agad, bidh i fuar dha-rìribh a-muigh. 

brot - soup: Brot teth air Oidhche nan Gealbhan, chan eil càil nas fheàrr. 

Bidh fios aig mòran agaibh gu bheil teintean na phàirt mhòr de bheul-aithris na Gàidhealtachd. Gus leughadh mun a seo, thèid gu LearnGaelic.scot > Coimhead & Èist > An Litir Bheag agus tagh Litir Bheag 930: Teintean rainich air Oidhche Shamhna. 

A bheil gealbhan a’ tachairt faisg ort fhèin? Am bi thu a’ dol ann? Leig fios thugainn le post-d no air na meadhanan sòisealta!

Sin e airson seachdain eile. Bho do charaidean aig LearnGaelic, mar sin leat. 

Hi there pal,
The 5th of November, it’s a significant day. Why is this? People will be lighting fires all over the country to celebrate Bonfire Night. It’s a fun evening these days, but it could have been a very dark night in history. If you want to find out more, read what we wrote last year.  https://mailchi.mp/learngaelic/filte-don-t-samhain

Today, we want to give you some handy vocabulary for this evening:
cleasan-teine - fireworks: Tha cleasan-teine àlainn, ach feuch nach seas thu ro fhaisg orra gun fhios nach tèid càil ceàrr. | Fireworks are beautiful, but make sure you don’t stand too close to them in case something goes wrong. 

sluagh - crowd: Thàinig a’ choimhearsnachd còmhla a-raoir, bha sluagh mòr ann. | The community came together last night, there was a big crowd there.  

gealbhan - bonfire: An urrainn dhut barrachd fiodh a chur ris an gealbhan? | Can you add more wood to the bonfire?

lannireag - sparkler: Seall cho soilleir ’s a tha an lannireag! | Look at how bright the sparkler is!

spreadhadh - explosion: Tha e cho math nach robh Guy Fawkes soirbheachail, no bhiodh spreadhadh uabhasach air a bhith ann. | It’s just as well that Guy Fawkes wasn’t successful, or there would have been a mighty explosion. 

brag - bang: Obh obh, chuir am brag ud an t-eagal orm! | Oh my, that bang gave me a fright! 

sgarfa - scarf: Feuch nach dìochuimhnich thu air an sgarfa agad, bidh i fuar dha-rìribh a-muigh. | Make sure you don’t forget your scarf, it’ll be very cold outside.

brot - soup: Brot teth air Oidhche nan Gealbhan, chan eil càil nas fheàrr. | Hot soup on Bonfire Night, there’s nothing better. 

Many of you will know that fires are a big part of Highland folklore. To read about this, go to LearnGaelic.scot > Watch & Listen > The Little Letter and choose Little Letter 930: Fern fires on Hallowe'en.

Is there a bonfire happening near you? Will you be going? Let us know by email or on our social media!

That’s it for another week. From your friends at LearnGaelic, bye for now. 




Oidhche nan Gealbhan | Bonfire night

“New ways of speaking, new ways to be a ‘speaker’: What Manx can tell us about revival and identity”
A lecture in English by Dr. Erin McNulty.

This was delivered as the Ned Maddrell Lecture 2025 as a part of the Cooish Manx Language Festival.
The lecture was hosted by Possan Ronsee Gaelgagh – Manx Language Research Group (Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh), in the iMuseum in Douglas, with support from Manx National Heritage.
It was delivered on 5 November 2025.

Dr Erin McNulty is a sociolinguist working with Manx Gaelic.
Her PhD from the University of Glasgow was on '"Cre'n sorçh dy Ghaelg t'ou loayrt nish?": The Intersection of Ideologies and Morphosyntactic Variation in New Speakers of Manx Gaelic.'
This UKRI-funded PhD research focussed on the relationship between linguistic structure, identity, and language ideologies among New Speakers of revitalised Manx Gaelic.
A speaker of Manx Gaelic, Erin has also undertaken research on linguistic variation in New Speakers of Manx for her MPhil dissertation at the University of Cambridge. She also holds a BA in French and Linguistics from the University of Oxford.
Erin has been involved with multiple research projects and working groups involving Manx, Celtic languages, and minoritized languages more widely. These include the Manx Language Research Group, the Association of Celtic Students, a Visiting Fellowship at the Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and most recently she was Research Associate working on the ‘Gaelic Connect’ project at the University of Glasgow.

This recording was produced by Culture Vannin in 2025.
Culture Vannin exists to promote and support all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.
https://www.culturevannin.im
https://www.facebook.com/culturevannin
https://www.instagram.com/culturevannin/
https://www.youtube.com/@culturevannin8486

What Manx can tell us about Revival and Identity - Dr. Erin McNulty

Epic Gaelic chants meet Industrial Darksynth

Ghost of Moray

Altnaharra Gabh Air Ais

A widow's song remembering her husband, Language: Gaelic.  This song was created using AI Tools

An Chailleach Uaigneach

AAAAAAAAAAAAAALBA!!!!!
Mìorbhaileach, iongantach, do-chreidsinneach... dh’fhaodainn cumail oirnn! Thachair rudeigin mòr a-raoir, nach do thachair? Chan fhaca sinn a-riamh a leithid. Dà thadhal ann an ochd mionaidean aig deireadh a’ gheama, abair sgeulachd! Agus a-nis, ’s urrainn dhuinn na faclan seo a ràdh... tha Alba a’ dol gu Cupa na Cruinne! 
Ciamar a tha thu fhèin a’ faireachdainn? Air bhioran, tha sinn a’ creidsinn! Seo a’ chiad turas a tha Alba air àite a ghlèidheadh ann an Cupa na Cruinne bho 1998! Bidh an fharpais a’ tachairt anns na Stàitean Aonaichte, Canada agus Meagsago. Tha tòrr charaidean againn thar a' Chuain Siar, agus tha sinn cinnteach gum bi mòran agaibh mun cuairt. Albannaich, am bi sibh ann? Turas fada, ach abair turas sònraichte a bhios ann!
Gus sùil a thoirt air sgioba ball-coise nach eil buileach cho ainmeil, ach pailt cho dealasach, ris an sgioba nàiseanta, thèid gu LearnGaelic.scot > Coimhead & Èist > Coimhead Gàidhlig agus tagh 80 bliadhna de Sgioba Ball-coise nan Lochan.
Càit an robh thu fhèin a-raoir nuair a chaidh an tadhal aig Kenny McLean a-steach? Feuch gun innis thu dhuinn le post-d no air na meadhanan sòisealta againn!
Bidh sinn a’ tighinn, bidh sinn a’ tighinn, bidh sinn a’ tighinn sìos an rathad...
Sin e airson seachdain eile. Bho do charaidean aig LearnGaelic, mar sin leat!
Beurla
AAAAAAAAAAAAAALBA!!!!!
Marvellous, amazing, unbelievable... we could go on! Something big happened last night, didn’t it? We’ve never seen the likes. Two goals in eight minutes at the end of the game, what a story! And now, we can say these words... Scotland are going to the World Cup! 
How are you feeling? Excited, we’re sure! This is the first time that Scotland have qualified for the World Cup since 1998! The tournament will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. We’ve got many lots of friends across the Atlantic, and we’re sure that many of you will be around. Scots, will you be there? A long journey, but what a special one it will be!
To have a look at a football team that isn’t quite as famous, but just as passionate, as the national team, go to LearnGaelic.scot > Watch & Listen > Watch Gàidhlig and choose 80 years of Lochs Football club.
Where were you when Kenny MacLean’s goal went in last night? Make sure you let us know by email or on our social media!
We’ll be coming, we’ll be coming, we’ll be coming down the road...
That’s it for another week. From your friends at LearnGaelic, bye for now!


Alba – a’ tighinn sìos an rathad! | Scotland – coming down the road!

Haidh a charaid,
Bidh latha sònraichte Albannach ann an t-seachdain sa – Là Naomh Anndra. Tha an latha seo air a chomharrachadh air 30mh den t-Samhain gach bliadhna. Ma tha thu airson faighinn a-mach mun eachdraidh air cùl an latha, thoir sùil air a’ chuairt-litir a sgrìobh sinn beagan bhliadhnaichean air ais: https://us11.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show-email?id=4881941. 
An-diugh, tha sinn a’ smaoineachadh air na dòighean eadar-dhealaichte as urrainn dhut an latha seo a chomharrachadh:
A bheil cèilidh a’ tachairt faisg ort? Ma tha, tha sinn cinnteach gu bheil oidhche spòrsail dha-rìribh romhad! ’S e deagh adhbhar a th’ ann airson breacan a chur ort – dè mu dheidhinn tàidh, no froga? Tha dannsa ann dhan a h-uile duine - dannsaichean slaodach, dannsaichean luath, dannsaichean buidhne, dannsaichean càraid. A bheil thu eòlach air mòran thu fhèin? Mur eil, carson nach ionnsaich thu fear no dhà? Tha goireasan gu leòr ann air an eadar-lìn, no dh’fhaodadh tu a dhol gu clas!
’S dòcha nach eil e comasach dhut a dhol gu cèilidh, ach ’s urrainn dhut èisteachd ri ceòl Albannach ge bith càit a bheil thu! Bho laoidhean gu puirt à beul, tha dualchas ciùil gu math beartach againn. Ma tha thu a’ fuireach fad air falbh bho Alba is tha beagan cianalais ort, ’s e pìos den dachaigh a th’ ann an ceòl dùthchasach a bhios daonnan còmhla riut.
Biadh, tha e an-còmhnaidh a’ toirt daoine còmhla! Tha Alba ainmeil airson measgachadh de bhiadhan – taigeis le buntàta is tuinneap, Cullen Skink is Cranachan nam measg. Carson nach cuir thu dinnear Albannach air dòigh còmhla ri do charaidean? Dh’fhaodadh tu a bhith cho cruthachail ’s a ghabhas... chuala sinn gu bheil a leithid de rud ann ri piotsa taigeise ann na làithean sa! 
Tha sinn air a bhith a’ bruidhinn air òrain is biadh... carson nach ionnsaich thu òran Gàidhlig mu dheidhinn biadh Albannach cuideachd! Thèid gu LearnGaelic.scot > Coimhead & Èist > Ionnsaich Òrain agus tagh ’S toigh leam fhìn Buntàta ’s Ìm. 
Dè na planaichean a th’ agad fhèin airson Là Naomh Anndra? Leig fios thugainn le post-d no air na meadhanan sòisealta againn!
Sin e airson seachdain eile. Bho do charaidean aig LearnGaelic, mar sin leat!


Beurla
Hi there pal,
There’ll be a special Scottish day happening this week – St Andrew’s Day. This day is celebrated on 30th November each year. If you want to find out about the history behind the day, have a look a newsletter which we wrote a few years ago: https://us11.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show-email?id=4881941. 
Today, we’re thinking about the different ways you can celebrate this day:
Is there a cèilidh happening near you? If so, we’re sure you have a very fun evening ahead of you! It’s a good reason to wear some tartan – how about a tie, or a dress? There’s a dance for everybody – slow dances, quick dances, group dances, couple dances. Are you familiar with many yourself? If not, why not learn one or two? There are plenty of resources online, or you could go to a class!
Maybe it isn’t possible for you to go to a cèilidh, but you can listen to Scottish music wherever you are! From ballads to mouth music, we have a very rich musical heritage. If you live far away from Scotland and have a little ‘cianalas’, native music is a piece of home that will always be with you.
Food, it always brings people together! Scotland is famous for a mix of dishes – haggis with potato and turnip, Cullen skins and Cranachan included. Why not put a Scottish dinner together with your friends? You could be as creative as you’d like... we’ve heard there’s such a thing as haggis pizza these days!
We’ve been talking about songs and food... why not learn a Gaelic song about Scottish food too? Go to LearnGaelic.scot > Watch & Listen > Learn a Song and choose ’S toigh leam fhìn Buntàta ’s Ìm.
What are your plans for St Andrew’s Day? Let us know by email or on our social media!
That’s it for another week. From your friends at LearnGaelic, bye for now!


Là Naomh Anndra

Synth, strings & songs.

Singer & songwriter from Dublin, Ireland.
Bandcamp: https://rannog.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/53Blv3p0WGG62vFxJloQTU?si=m70reovARJKR8C5MUxMyGg

rannogmusic@gmail.com

I create Non-Copyrighted music using AI tools mostly.  I got tired of getting claimed by so-called "Royalty-free" artists, so I decided to make my own music which I, and anyone else can use.

4 projects by Alex Call Jaidar: 
Jalex (Darksynth) 
Ottomaton (80s/90s Synth)
NEV3R OFF (Tech/Phonk/House)
ABYSSMAL (Hyperpop)
jalexbeatz@gmail.com

ZooMoot 

Long live compassionate intelligence.
Hir oes i ddeallusrwydd tosturiol.
Hir oes i ddeallusrwydd tosturiol
Longue vie à l'intelligence compatissante
Larga vida a la inteligencia compasiva
Lang lebe das mitfühlende Intelligenz
Lunga vita all'intelligenza compassionevole
Vida longa à inteligência compassiva
Lang leve het meelevende verstand
Да здравствует сострадательный интеллект
长存仁爱智慧
تحيا الذكاء الرحيم
दयालु बुद्धिमत्ता अमर रहे
慈悲の知性が永遠に
Lang leve den medfølende intelligens
Lång liv med den medkännande intelligensen
Kaua elagu kaastundlik intelligentsus
Elagu kaastundlik intelligentsus
Leve den medfølende intelligensen
Da vivere alla compassionevole intelligenza
Lang leve de medfølende intelligentie
Живеј долго со сочувствителната интелигенција
Viva la inteligencia compasiva
Éljen a könyörületes intelligencia
Dlouhý život soucitné inteligenci
Ζήτω η συμπονετική νοημοσύνη
Vivat intellegentia compassiva
Lang leve den empatiske intelligensen
Laipėna laipana intelektu
Éljen a részvétteljes intelligencia
Živjela suosjećajna inteligencija
Daugelio metų užuojautai
Llwyddiant i'r ddeallusrwydd tosturiol
Хай живе співчутливий інтелект
пусть живет сострадательный интеллект

A solo artist, and PhD Theatrical Author, crafting stories for the modern theater goer.

Promoting and supporting all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.

Culture Vannin awards grants and initiates schemes whilst supporting the work of development officers for music and language. The work of Culture Vannin has been fundamental to the revival of interest and support for Manx language and culture over the last twenty years.

Culture Vannin is the trading name for the Manx Heritage Foundation, registered charity 333 in the Isle of Man.

LearnGaelic is your constant companion on your learning journey. Visit LearnGaelic.scot for online courses, an online dictionary, course finder, and more. These files provide audio support to the weekly newsletter.

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