61126: Sealladh à Beinn Eitsheal

Sealladh à Beinn Eitsheal was written during the First World War by Donald Mackay of 2 Achmore. The poet not only names the places he can see, but describes the everyday livelihood of the people in those areas, setting the scene with cattle being herdedon the shielings. Next he describes the characters of the men who operated the ferry which crossed to the Island of Bernera, which includes an insight into the personality of John Smith, the Earshader Bard. The bàrdachd continues by paying tribute to the local men crewing naval ships patrolling the Atlantic coast following the sinking of a civilian ship by the Germans.

Bha mise an-dè ‘m Beinn Eitsheal, ‘s e sealladh èibhinn bhann,
Bha ‘n Eilean Fraoich fom shùilean, gach loch is t-òb a th’ann,
Bho Ròineabhal gu Mùirneag chì thu gach cnoc ‘s gleann
Bho Mealista an Uige gu Rubha an Tiùmpan thall.

Chì thu tobhta nan àirighean air geàrraidh glas ‘s gach gleann.
Far am biodh na gruagaichean a cuallach an crodh laoigh
Gach tè ri gabhail duanag ‘s buarach aic’ na làimh
‘S na laoidh òg a’ ruith mun cuairt oirre ag iarraidh bainne thoirt dhaibh.

Sin thug mi sùil air Bearnaraigh, ‘s i glas le arbhar trom
Air bàghan Loch a Roag bha mi òg is aotrom annt’
Bheireadh Ùisdean aiseag dhuinn air sruth a-null ‘s a-nall
‘S bhiodh Seonaidh Phàdraig còmhla ris le fhalmadair na làimh.

‘S gach àit ‘m biodh Seonaidh Phàdraig, bhiodh fonn nan òrain ann.
Fiamh a ghàir air aodann, air aghaidh fàilt’ gun fhoill
‘S e sheineadh ‘Fear a Bhata’ neo ‘Nionag a chùl duinn’
Na òrain ùr leis fhein bhiodh reidh le taghte cainnt.

‘N uair thog mi suas mo shùilean, bha muir gach taobh mun cuairt,
Dol sìos mun Ghallan Uigeach bha long fo aodach ann.
‘S a tuath a-mach à Carlabhagh bha tè le smùid na deann
‘S na tuinn nan cop bho taobhan ‘s i ruith gu aotrom ann.

An sgioba bha air tè dhiubh siud, cha cheannaicheadh an t-òr
Seòladairean na h-Alba ann an dèise ghorm Rìgh Deòrs’
Le boineid gheal a chrùin orra air long na gunna mòr
‘S iad chuireadh sìos na Gearmailtich, na nochdadh iad an t-sròin.

Tha gillean calma Leòdhais innte, tha iad ‘s gach long air muir,
A sguabadh glan nan cuaintean bhon a Gearmailteach gun iochd,
Bhàth iad ‘s a chuan na màthraichean, le naoidheanan nan ochd
‘S fhad sa bhios eachdraidh sgrìobhte orra, bi mì-chliù aig an sliochd.