Fagail Bhernaraidh

On chuir mi mo chl ri stcan eilean as bidhch' Gu bheil mi gun sunnd fo thrs' 's mo chridhe fo len Nuair thig na mo chuimhn' na glinn san robh mi o m' ig Far an iarrainn bhi tmh gach l cho fad 's bhithinn be Bheir sil air mun cuairt 's a bhruaichean uile 's iad ln Seamarag is neinean, sbhrag bhuidhe ann a fs Smerach nan geug air sgith a'caithream gu h-rd C chunnaic e riamh nach iarradh ann a bhi tmh Bha'm pailteas ann riamh den bhiadh 's cha bhitheadh oirrn is Bha iasg ann is feil 's gach sers' air an cuireadh t feum Tha lus ann a fs bheir slint' a dh'iomadach cruchd Ann an eilean beag Bhentraigh 's ille leam tha fon ghrin Translated from the Gaelic by Murdo Macleod

The Leaving of Berneray

Since I bade farewell to the beautiful hillocky isle I am weighed down with sorrow and my heart is heavy Recalling the glens of my childhood Where I would wish to live for the rest of my days Take a look around and see its bountiful banks Where clover, daisy, and yellow primrose grow The thrush from the bough, on the wing, sings high above On seeing it the who wouldnt wish to live there. Food was always plentiful and we were never in need There was fish and meat and everything you required Flowers grow there which can cure many ailments On the small island of Bernera the most beautiful place to me under the sun.