Karen Matheson - Ailein Duinn and Morag's Lament (Rob Roy OST)

Details

Description

Certainly one of the most beautiful and sorrowful songs ever written, Ailein Duinn, is sung by Karen Matheson with music by Carter Burwell for the 1995 film Rob Roy.

I've wanted to make a video for this music for a long time; I just had to wait until I got the right footage. When I happened by an enchanting little glade during an autumn drizzle, I had to stop and capture what you see here, traipsing around in the cold rain, stalking the perfect shots for what I had pictured in my mind. I hope you all enjoy!

From Wikipedia:

Ailein duinn ("Dark-haired Alan") is a traditional Scottish song for solo female voice, a lament that was written in Gàidhlig 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:

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 shiubhlainn leat

Ma 's e 'n cluasag dhut a' ghaineamh
Ma 's e leabaidh dhut an fheamainn

Ma 's e 'n t-iasg do choinnlean 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

English translation:(the untranslated words are vocables)

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