Originale | English Version from Songs For Change |
NA GAIDHEIL AM BASRA | THE GAEL IN BASRA |
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Chunna mise a-raoir | I saw last night |
Na balaich againn fhìn | Our very own lads |
An teas marbhtach na grèin’ | In the murderous heat of the sun |
B’ ann air a’ mhàirds’ a bha na seòid | Heroes on the march |
Am fàsach fada thall | In a far desert land |
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Oh seinn, seinn | Oh sing, sing |
Phìobair’ an aona-phuirt | Piper, play the same old tune |
Tog ort do phìob | Strike up and play |
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Chan eil cail ùr fon ghrèin | There’s nothing new under the sun |
Mort, fuath agus bàs | Murder, death and hate |
An ainm nar n-uachdaran fhèin | In the name of our leaders. |
‘S ann mar seo a bha e a-riamh | It’s always been this way |
An cogadh no sìth | In war or in peace |
Nar tràillean do dh’iompaireachd chèin | Slaves to a foreign empire |
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Oh seinn, seinn | Oh sing, sing |
Phìobair’ an aona-phuirt | Piper, play the same old tune |
Tog ort do phìob | Strike up and play |
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Is lìonmhor na laoich | Many are the heroes |
A chaidh romhpa gu blàr | Who went before them to war |
Cràth is cruadal nan dàn | Pain and suffering their destiny |
‘S nuair a sheinneas a’ Phìob | And when the pipe plays |
An cois fuaim a’ bhlàir mhòir | In the noise of battle |
Mar pheilear thèid iad an sàs | Like a bullet they will charge |
Is leanaidh iad dlùth | Following too close |
Rin sinnsir ‘s an cliù | Their forefathers’ fame |
‘S thèid an spadadh ‘s an reubadh air an raon | Lying slaughtered and torn in the field |
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Balaich thapaidh threun | Strong healthy lads |
An cuid armachd nan làimh | Ready at arms |
A’ dol a dh’ ionnsaigh buaidh no bàs | Toward victory or death |
Ach am faclan Dhòmhnaill Ruaidh* | But in Red Donald’s words* |
Gum bi buaidh leis na seòid | Victory to the heroes |
‘S gun till iad sàbhailte slàn | Let them return safe and well. |
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Oh seinn, seinn | Oh sing, sing |
Phìobair’ an aona-phuirt | Piper, play the same old tune |
Seinn an aon phort a-rithist | Play the same old tune again. |
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*Dòmhnall Ruadh Choruna – Na Camshronaich san Fhraing | * Red Donald of Coruna (Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna) – From his poem The Camerons in France. |