GUIR! 2024 Lyrics (English)
Màiri has written new Gaelic songs with a Glasgow perspective. The songs explore a number of topics including Gaelic language, local outdoor spaces and living in the southside of Glasgow.
GUIR! 2024 Màiri MacMillan Lyrics
Power to Gaelic
This song was inspired by the ceòlmòr pipe tune Cumha na Cloinne (The Lament for the Children), which was composed in the 17th Century by Padraig Mòr MacCrimmon, one of the hereditary pipers of the Clan MacLeod of Skye. The lament was in response to the death of seven of his eight children. This lament is a beautiful melodic tune when played in full lasts almost 20 mins.
Our Gaelic language is in a critical state at present. Although there is an increase in young speakers of the language we are in danger of losing a richness and breadth in our beautiful language. I wrote this song to the melody of Cumhna na Cloinne as a warning song that we as Gaels need to support our Gaelic language by speaking it and promoting it. If we lose any more Gaelic language richness it will be a tragic.
Gaelic is in danger if we don’t use it,
Gaelic is in danger if we don’t use it,
We need to preserve her, before we lose her.
We need to preserve her, before we lose her.
Precious, precious, precious she is,
Precious, precious, precious she is,
Precious, precious, precious she is,
But we will lose her if we don’t use her. .
We will promote her and we will not lose her
We will promote her and we will not lose her
Little by little we will promote her
Little by little and we will not lose her
The country will be sorrowful if we lose her,
The world will be wounded if we lose her,
Scotland will be soulless if we lose her,
You and I coming together so we don’t lose her
We still have time we still have time,
We still have time we still have time,
The Gaels still have time to preserve their language,
To use their language and preserve their language.
Great City of the Gaels
Glasgow has a rich Gaelic heritage which is evident in many place names throughout the city. A recent book published by Dr Alasdair Whyte provides a detailed picture of the Gaelic place names in Glasgow. This song refers to some of the Gaelic place names in Glasgow and celebrates the people who have supported Gaelic to ensure it is flourishing once again in Glasgow.
Great city of the Gaels riches in your well
Gaelic nurtured and raised
Flowing and pouring in every meadow and lochan
In your soul and heart it is alive
Govan Drumoyne
Polmadie Crossmyloof
Cathcart Carmunnock
Garscadden Garscube
the length of the river Clyde
Landscape in every field and top
We see and we hear Gaelic
She will be everlasting if we grant her respect
Govan Drumoyne
Polmadie Crossmyloof
Cathcart Carmunnock
Garscadden Garscube
Pollok Cardonald
They stood up to the cut
Their language knocked to ground
Eager and ready
For Gaelic to be the young tongue
Govan Drumoyne
Polmadie Crossmyloof
Cathcart Carmunnock
Garscadden Garscube
Pollok Cardonald
Gartnavel Yoker
Who are the warriors to continue the cause?
To awaken the Gaelic standard
confidence, trust and faith
So that she is everlast, so that she is there
Govan Drumoyne
Polmadie Crossmyloof
Cathcart Carmunnock
Garscadden Garscube
Pollok Cardonald
Gartnavel Yoker
Cathkin Kittock
Let Gaelic flourish!
Let Gaelic flourish!
Let Gaelic flourish again!
Let Gaelic flourish!
Let Gaelic flourish!
Let Gaelic flourish again!
Govan Drumoyne
Polmadie Crossmyloof
Cathcart Carmunnock
Garscadden Garscube
Pollok Cardonald
Gartnavel Yoker
Cathkin Kittock
Shettelston Arden
May Queen
I live near King’s Park and walk in the park every day. A beautiful park with many species of tree some of which are over one hundred years old. In 2019 plans were drafted recommending the felling of almost two hundred trees in the parks. The community of King’s Park protested against the plans and saved the tree from being felled. I wrote this song to celebrate the park. Although it’s called King’s Park ‘she’ is like a queen throughout the year and especially during the summer when in full bloom. I also wanted to remember those who saved the trees from being felled.
Recited
We will praise your precious grove
We will walk hand in hand to protect you
We will praise your precious grove
We will walk hand in hand to protect you
On a warm May morning I wandered with you
Young fair buds your canopy blossoming
Little breeze moving them
Shaking them
Shaking me and awakening me
The beginning of summer
A new beginning declared to us.
Above Glasgow, elegant park of the King
She is like the May Queen
We will praise your precious grove
We will walk hand in hand to protect you
We have longed for you Bealltainn
For heat to shine on our land
The welcoming dawn chorus
In the young morn
In wide branches of your trees
Facing the world
Above Glasgow, elegant park of the King
She is like the May Queen
We will praise your precious grove
We will walk hand in hand to protect you
They tried to cut you to ground
But we stood by your side
Each branch
Each leaf
With their own unique tale
Heritage protected,
For future generations
Above Glasgow, elegant park of the King
She is like the May Queen
We will praise your precious grove,
We will walk hand in hand to protect you.
Above Glasgow, elegant park of the King
She is like the May Queen
We will praise your precious grove,
We will walk hand in hand to protect you.
Skylark
Although the skylark is small she has a strong powerful voice. She is not frightened of rising to the skies to sing her beautiful song. She will sing her song on a daily basis, reminding us of her presence. Skylarks are on the endangered list especially in areas where they nest on the ground. I believe anyone who hears a skylark singing is very fortunate. When I hear the warbling i stop and listen and look or her in the sky. It is well worth stopping and listening to her warbling. Maybe we should be more like the skylark and sing our songs confidently every day.
Little skylark raise up from land to the heights
And sing, sing with joy and cheer
Sweet melodious voice, powerful eloquent
Your message beautiful, elegant, noble
Ears open to your beautiful tune
You will be long-lasting
Tuneful minstrel of the skies won’t you sing your song
Your joyous strings tuned with your sweet music
The skies stronger with your presence
Accurately artfully proclaiming
Strength of hope in dark times
You will be long-lasting
Fearless at presenting your opinions
Diligent, bold, with a strong voice informing
Freedom to soar to the heights of the skies
Warbling and canntaireachd
Whistling decorating the land
Nobility would listen to your elegant song
You will be long-lasting
Re-freshing Re-newing
Spring messenger summer ambassador
The season of renewal
Warmth and eagerness in your song
Each note so clear with intent
You will be long-lasting
Aren’t we rich who hear your songs
So generous so kind with your songs and your knowledge
Wealth plentiful if we seek it
Awakening our spirit and moving our minds
Raise your voice willingly in guidance
You will be long-lasting
Awakening our minds each morning with delight
Nurturing comforting ang giving hope
Your joyous warbling seeking an ear
A hero fearless facing the heavens
A lantern in our minds giving vigour and strength
You will be long-lasting
Linn Park Bridge
The oldest iron bridge in Glasgow is in Linn Park in Cathcart on the southside of Glasgow. This bridge is now only accessible on foot and many Tha an drochaid iarrainn is sine ann an Glaschu ann am Pairc Linn air taobh a deas Ghlaschu faisg air sgìre Ciad Chairt. ‘S ann airson luchd-coiseachd a-mhàin a tha i a-nisd agus ‘s iomadh duine a th’air a dhol tarsainn orra thairis nam bliadhnaichean. Nach iomadh sgeul a bhiodh aice ri innse.
Many conversations
Many loving whispers
Many footstep
Many hearts leaping
Many laughs
Many teardrops
Many hearts crying
Many kisses given
Recognisable bridge of Linn Park
Standing strong for generations
Very familiar with secrets
A place to quietly and peacefully journey the mind
Many conversations
Many loving whispers
Many footstep
Many hearts leaping
Many laughs
Many teardrops
Many hearts crying
Many kisses given
I would again give you a half penny
For the advice you gave to us
Pondering and bailing your waters
To make sense of this fickle world
Many conversations
Many loving whispers
Many footstep
Many hearts leaping
Many laughs
Many teardrops
Many hearts crying
Many kisses given
Many people she has seen
And emotion she has moved
Over and back and under
Silent like snow swift like the wind
Many conversations
Many loving whispers
Many footstep
Many hearts leaping
Many laughs
Many teardrops
Many hearts crying
Many kisses given
Many conversations
Many loving whispers
Many footstep
Many hearts leaping
Many laughs
Many teardrops
Many hearts crying
Many kisses given
Love in Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park is on the southside of Glasgow. Another beautiful Glasgow park where I walked many times when I live near it. It’s named Queen’s Park in memory of Mary Queen of Scots. The park is situated near where the Battle of Langside took place. This is love song in the style of a waulking song.
He hoireann o ro hoireann o
He hoireann ho rin o ho
He hoireann o ro hoireann o
He hoireann ho rin o ho
Sun filled with love welcoming with joy
With you on walk through Glasgow
Queen’s Park red roses
Those were the happy days
Love shining from your eyes
The summer of expectations
Blooming fragrant growing
The love that should be celebrated
Many days with fondness
Even if winters are hard
You will be sitting with me