Mary writes: Though there are hundreds of Gaelic songs about loss and separation from love, land and culture, I wanted to find a waulking song for the project. These are women's work songs, often composed by women, and they have great choruses which really lend themselves to many female voices. I loved the tune of this song, which I found on the amazing archive website Tobar an Dualchais, sung by Kate MacDonald of South Uist. The story of this one begins with a woman left alone with her children on a strange island in the sea. She sees the wild geese flying away, perhaps symbolising the demise of the old system and culture of the islands. She is separated from her people and from the place she loves which she goes on to describe as having towers and white houses. (ps. our vocal chanting towards the end is Gaelic counting!).
credits
from Songs of Separation,
released January 29, 2016
Traditional music and lyrics arranged by Hazel Askew, Jenn Butterworth, Eliza Carthy, Hannah James, Jenny Hill, Mary Macmaster, Karine Polwart, Hannah Read, Rowan Rheingans, Kate Young, and Eiggy Bread tune by Kate Young
supported by 6 fans who also own “'S Muladach Mi 'S Mi Air M'aineoil (Sad Am I And In A Strange Place)”
a friend introduced me to this album two winters ago, and it's very quickly become a staple in my household (it isn't the holiday season until sing we all merrily plays).
the tracks that particularly strike me though are heading for home, the bear song, and the old churchyard - the way the world cycles on, the turning of the wheel, life and death in a beautiful dance. we could despair that our time is short, but we seek joy and love again and again.
I love this album. sophie
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