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Lament for William Chisholm by Rebsie [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 2227
Comments: 38
Votes: 16
Plays: 499
Last Played: Oct 06, 2008 - 10:13:34 PM
Downloads: 141
Fans: 5
Uploaded: Feb 06, 2005 - 10:30:31 AM
Last Updated: Oct 23, 2005 - 04:44:16 PM
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Keywords:
scottish (15), gaelic (5), british (27), traditional (65), folk (359), lament (13), elegy (4), cumha (1), battle (29), culloden (1), a cappella (17)
Description:
Just a little shortie this time. A Scottish elegy, in Gaelic, with nothing added. Believed to be a wife's lament for her husband, William Chisholm, who was killed at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

I took the photo at the Callanish stone circle, Isle of Lewis, a few years back.

Lyrics:
you may have fun trying to follow them ...

Och a Thearlaich Òg Stiùbhart
'S e do chuis rinn mo leireadh
Thug thu uam gach ni bh'agam
Ann an cogadh a d'aobhar
Cha chrodh is cha chairdean
Rinn mo chhradh ach mo cheile
O'n la dh'fhàg thu mi 'm aonar
Gun sion 's an t-saoghal ach leine
Mo rùn geal òg

O gur a mis' thair mo sgaradh
'S ged a chan am cha bhreug e
'S ioma tè bha na bantraich
Nach d'fhuair samhladh do 'm cheile
Fear do cheille 's do thuigse
Cha robh furasd r' a fhaotuinn
'S cha do sheas ann Cullodair
Fear do choltais bu treine
Mo rùn geal òg

Rough translation:

Oh young Charles Stewart, your campaign is the cause of my sorrow
You took from me everything I had, in the war in your name
It's not cattle and sheep I'm lamenting, but my husband
Since the day you left me alone with nothing in the world but a shroud
My fair young love

Oh I am devastated, and I tell you it's no lie
Many a woman has become a widow who never had a husband like mine
A man of your sensitivity and understanding was not easy to find
And no other man of your kind stood at Culloden, with such bravery
My fair young love

Hardware:
Condenser mic, Mac G5.

Software:
GB 1.1
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Bravo! &mdash 02/06/05 - 10:53:51 AM
Nothing more needed to say.

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Bravo! &mdash 02/06/05 - 04:04:54 PM
Thank you.

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Lovely... &mdash 02/06/05 - 12:42:51 PM
Brief and simple. Your songs seem to have less each time.
I like the way you keep it so low key.
Callanish... big Mother Goddess thing going on there,
according to the megalithic madman Julian Cope. Looks
fantastic.

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Lovely... &mdash 02/06/05 - 04:03:33 PM
Thank you. Ah yes, my husband got me the Julian Cope book for
Christmas. It is very Mother Goddessy up in Callanish, especially by
moonlight. Also f***ing cold, as I recall.

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Stunning Vocals &mdash 02/06/05 - 01:38:14 PM
That's all.

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Stunning Vocals &mdash 02/06/05 - 04:09:22 PM
Cheers Mungo!

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No-one has much to say about this… &mdash 02/06/05 - 02:17:37 PM
… but then there's not much too say. The track
speaks for itself, as do your vocals which are as
lovely as ever. Great photograph too.

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No-one has much to say about this… &mdash 02/07/05 - 04:06:56 AM
Yeah, there isn't much you can say about it when it's so pared down. If
people are getting something out of it though, that's the main thing.
Thanks for visiting!

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Sublime &mdash 02/06/05 - 04:12:07 PM
I love the sound of Gaelic, and you sing it so beautifully.

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Sublime &mdash 02/07/05 - 04:25:41 AM
Thank you! Gaelic is a very lovely language, quite musical in its own
right. I've always had a special liking for it.

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Awesome Picture &mdash 02/07/05 - 08:59:30 AM
The picture looks pro, great job on that. The song is pro
too, with just a few flaws. That new mic is such an
improvement. It really picks up the subtleties in
your voice. But it also picks up the background noises in
the room which are noticeable at the beginning, end and
parts when your not singing. Try setting the Gate effect
to where you loose those sounds but still hear the vocals.
You can also put blankets over the noise sources, or make
a little tent out of blankets around the mic. You can also
use volume tracking on the master track to get rid of the
noise at the beginning and end. Don't know how I feel
about the breathing - how do you feel about it? I'm not
trying to nitpick - just trying to help. I really like the
song, and I love songs sung in Gaelic.

JG

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Awesome Picture &mdash 02/08/05 - 04:48:20 PM
Thanks for the tips, and thanks for pointing me towards the right
microphone in the first place. I'm not entirely happy with the breathing,
but I couldn't think of any way to avoid it, so I just hoped it wouldn't be
obtrusive.
I'm working on one or two other Gaelic songs, so there's more to come.
I'm glad you like the photo too!

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Not to be unoriginal, but... &mdash 02/07/05 - 02:54:27 PM
I have to say this is really excellent. I like the breathiness, and the breathing didn't bother me. it seemed to go along with the sound of the language. I wish I was brave enough to post anything acapella. What a lovely voice though! Thanks for keeping it uncluttered!

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Not to be unoriginal, but... &mdash 02/08/05 - 05:03:21 PM
Thank you so much! I was a bit nervous of posting an a cappella song so
it's really good to know that you liked it. Your comments are
appreciated.

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Simplicity... &mdash 02/08/05 - 12:07:36 PM

...works perfectly for this song. It sounds as if it were being sung by the graveside of a loved one.
The audible breaths, in my opinion, only add to that emotion and the raw feeling of loss.
So glad you sang it in Gaelic.
Solemn, beautiful.



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Simplicity... &mdash 02/09/05 - 04:44:21 PM
Thank you Mystified! There is quite an emotional punch in this song, I
often get tears welling up when I'm practising it.

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The Mysterious Isles &mdash 02/08/05 - 02:12:57 PM
To me as an American, this song symbolizes that sense of
things ancient and mysterious which is my heritage that I
know so little about. Perhaps that's for the best as it
makes it a thing almost magical which is what your voice
conveys.

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The Mysterious Isles &mdash 02/09/05 - 04:58:01 PM
Very nice of you to say so, thanks! These songs do provide a window into
a very different time and culture, but also serve to show that human
nature hasn't changed much over the centuries.

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I don't &mdash 02/08/05 - 04:53:30 PM
Understand a word, but the feeling an expression speaks
volumes! Truly angelic sound.

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I don't &mdash 02/09/05 - 05:02:02 PM
Thanks Mimi! I'm glad the essence of the song managed to jump the
language barrier.

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Sweet though short! &mdash 02/09/05 - 11:34:30 AM
Beautiful song Rebsie - there is an obvious progression of quality in your work - thank you.

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Sweet though short! &mdash 02/09/05 - 05:06:24 PM
Thank you, Caroline. And thanks for listening to my other stuff too!

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ah....fresh air &mdash 02/09/05 - 10:44:21 PM
you did the vocals well. just enough effects on them too.
nice lament! ^ ^

ah, i'm in the need of a female voice for a new piece i'm
working on. mostly speaking i think....MAYBE some
singing. dont know.
if you are up for it let me know. be nice to work a bit with
someone skilled.

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ah....fresh air &mdash 02/10/05 - 05:19:51 AM
Thanks for your comments! Yes, I'd be very happy to help out with your
song. Spoken word is fine, as long as you don't mind my British accent.

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Wonderfully sung &mdash 02/14/05 - 08:23:31 AM
Great execution. The breathiness fits this piece and to me
would sound out of place if it didn't exist. I could see this
in a movie (or hear it as the case may be). Very nice
Rebsie! Looking forward to more.

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Wonderfully sung &mdash 03/01/05 - 09:42:58 AM
Thanks for that, Syncopatient. I did worry about the breathing and it's
useful to know that most people don't mind it.

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Brave! &mdash 03/01/05 - 07:14:01 AM
Excellent voice and a beautiful song. A capella must be very hard because you really sing "in the nude", nothing to hide behind, all errors and rasps will be evident. In Your case, it only reveals the excellence in the way You handle Your voice. I have a feeling that You hold back a little, though, in an effort to keep the tones clean. I wouldn't worry. You definitely have the power and strength. If You're having trouble letting loose, i suggest singing to a drum beat in Your head phones, but removing it later.
Really a treat, thanks!
IMHO
/Algabatz
[7-9-7-7]

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Brave! &mdash 03/01/05 - 09:56:44 AM
Thanks for visiting! You're right, I do find it hard to strike a balance
between hitting the notes right and putting some energy into them. I'm
not a trained singer, so my breath control is ropey ... I'm aware that I
hold back a little to avoid running out of breath before the end of the
line. I'm working on it ... Mystified has very kindly been giving me some
tips.
Thanks for the feedback.

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Brave! &mdash 03/02/05 - 09:50:58 AM
argh. i'm still not sure what i'm doing with my dang song.
maybe i'll come up with another idea for us. i dont know. i didnt forget you though! :)

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Sacred... &mdash 03/07/05 - 05:00:07 PM

song of love's loss that you sing so well. Beautiful.

Is this the original melody or is it your creation?

Jack

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Sacred... &mdash 03/15/05 - 05:13:47 AM
The melody already belonged to the song, though whether it's the
original tune or a later addition I don't know ...
Thanks for your comments!

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Beautiful and haunting &mdash 04/24/05 - 08:40:09 PM
Whenever I hear something like this, it makes me long for
a place I've never seen. Thank you.

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Beautiful and haunting &mdash 04/28/05 - 08:28:39 AM
Thank YOU. It's good to have you as a fan! Much appreciated.

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Appreciated! &mdash 05/26/05 - 08:46:44 PM
Not what I would normally listen to, this genre, but it's so
nice that people like you are keeping traditional music
alive. :O)

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Appreciated! &mdash 05/27/05 - 02:18:49 AM
Thanks Shimky! Yes, this isn't exactly mainstream even within the Folk
genre ... thanks for listening.

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Very Interesting &mdash 07/31/05 - 03:22:31 PM
This is a song and record of a time and place I do not know

very fascinating !

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Very Interesting &mdash 08/24/05 - 03:36:32 PM
Hehe! Thanks David.

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Great singing &mdash 11/15/05 - 05:50:12 PM
Feels like its Hogmanay, and im watching BBC2 Scotland. Always lots of
traditional singers singing the northern tounge.

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