Lyrics of Luadh An Toraidh - Karen Matheson

Luadh An Toraidh (original)

Uair a bha an tir mar fhàsach
Cha robh bròg a thogadh danns ann
‘s gann am beul a sheinneadh duan ann
Smior an dream mar ath-sgal tuamach
Creid ar nàimhdean is an cumhachd
Iad a dh’iarr ar muchadh buileach;
Ann an lagh is ann am foghlam
Dhiùlt iad dhuinn ar cliù 's ar còirean
Seòlta mar a chaidh ar mealladh
Gu bhi measadh faoin ar teanga
Gus an robh i cnàmhte 's anfhann
An impis a bhi suaint san anairt —
Thog sinn strì 's cha b’ann le fòirneart
Ach le fonn is ruighl' is òran
Cha b’e caismeachd tromh na sràide
Ach tromh a buadhan grinn, a Ghàidhlig
Seinn is seinn, O seinn a nàbaidh, mireadh chasan, o hi
Seinn as ùr i, ar seann chànan, binneas bhilean, o ho

(translation)

Once the land was a desert
There was no dancing shoe
There is hardly a mouth that could sing a verse in it
The marrow of the tribe as a tombstone
Believe in our enemies and their power
They demanded our complete suppression;
In law and education
They denied us our reputation and our rights
Clever as we were deceived
That our language was esteemed
Until she was exhausted and weak
The imminent snoring of the linen -
We fought not with violence
But with melody and reel 'and song
It was not a parade through the streets
But through her graceful virtues, her Gaelic
Sing and sing, O sing of thy neighbor, play of feet, o hi
Sing it anew, our old language, sweetness of lips, o ho