Lyrics of O Cho Meallt - Runrig

O Cho Meallt (original)

Nuair a bha sinn og is saor
Thoisich sinn a seinn 'sa Ghaidhlig
Sniomh ceol is a sgriobhadh orain
'S a cluaich 'nar comhlan 'son ar bheoshlaint
O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal
Dh’fhag sinn eileanan an iar
'S thoisich sinn a cluich tro Alba
is bha gnothaichean mar bu choir
Gun do nochd an duine mor a Lunnain
O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal
'Abair ceol a th’agaibh an seo
O nach tig sibh comhla riumsa
Is ni sinn ahhartas tron an t-saoghal
Direach cur t-ainm aig bonn a' phaipear
O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal
'Chan athairreach min an ceol agaibh ann
Chan atharraich mi na h-orain Chaidlig'
Ach chuala sinn mu dheireadh thall
Na briagan’s na faclan falamh
O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal
Sibhse a tha og agus saor
Stad mas cur sibh ainm ri paipear
Is cum a mach suil 'son nan daoine mora
An saoghal fuar tha ag adhradh airgead
O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal

(translation)

When we were young and free
We started singing in Gaelic
Spinning music and writing songs
And play as a band for our livelihood
O how deceitful the world is
We left the Western Isles
And we started playing it all over Scotland
and things were going well
That the big man showed up for London
O how deceitful the world is
'What music you have here
Oh don't come with me
We will make progress through the world
Just put your name at the bottom of the paper
O how deceitful the world is
'Your music is not a fine father
I will not change the Gaelic songs'
But we finally heard
The words are empty words
O how deceitful the world is
You who are young and free
Stop before signing a paper
And keep an eye out for the big people
The cold world worships money
O how deceitful the world is