Mo Ghille Mear

English translation: bonnie lad (?)

10:07 Jan 13, 2001
Gaelic to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary
Gaelic term or phrase: Mo Ghille Mear
The name of one of the Jacobite songs-- I would like to add this to my playlist and want to be able to tell the audience what its English equivalent is...Thanks..
Pat Cloud
English translation:bonnie lad (?)
Explanation:
EXTRACT

Sean Clarach MacDhomnaill composed the words and music to Mo Ghille Mear in the 18th century. It's from a genre called "Jacobite Songs," songs espousing the claim of the Stewarts (James and Charles) to the throne of the United Kingdom. Charles Stewart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, was an important figure in the rebellion against English colonization. The text is of a political nature, but can also be interpreted as a love song. For this instrumental version, I endeavor to express the love-song side of Mo Ghille Mear. This is my favorite verse:

There is no music or pleasure in the harps of music,
Poets and poetry are in gloom without a sound in their hearts,
All beings are grieving every day,
Since the lively lad went away from us.

FROM
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.gourd.com/121L.HTML...

See this page too:
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.sccs.swarthmore.edu...

For the song in Irish and the composer, see:
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.fainne.org/danlann/...

EXTRACT:
Cumadh an t-amhrán seo go gairid tar éis bhriseadh na Seacaibíteach ag cath Chùil Lodair sa bhliain 1746 agus ba é an Prionsa Séarlas Éadbhard Stíobhart 'gille mear' an fhile. Focal Gàidhlig is ea 'gille' a bhfuil gaol sanasaíochta aige le 'giolla' na Gaeilge ach a chiallaíonn 'buachaill'. Leis an bhfonn Albanach dar teideal 'An Suaithneas Bàn' a chastar an t-amhrán.

A rough interpretation of this is:

The song was composed shortly after a battle in 1746, and Prince Charles Edward Stuart was the 'ghille mear' of the song. This means approximately 'bonnie lad'.

Hope that's some help to you.

Selected response from:

Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 16:36
Grading comment
Thanks...Actually I had read most of the information on the liner notes of Celtic Connections, but I wanted the actual translation of the terms..I guess that ghillle means "lad" and that mear means "bonnie"
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
nabonnie lad (?)
Lia Fail (X)


  

Answers


20 mins
bonnie lad (?)


Explanation:
EXTRACT

Sean Clarach MacDhomnaill composed the words and music to Mo Ghille Mear in the 18th century. It's from a genre called "Jacobite Songs," songs espousing the claim of the Stewarts (James and Charles) to the throne of the United Kingdom. Charles Stewart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, was an important figure in the rebellion against English colonization. The text is of a political nature, but can also be interpreted as a love song. For this instrumental version, I endeavor to express the love-song side of Mo Ghille Mear. This is my favorite verse:

There is no music or pleasure in the harps of music,
Poets and poetry are in gloom without a sound in their hearts,
All beings are grieving every day,
Since the lively lad went away from us.

FROM
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.gourd.com/121L.HTML...

See this page too:
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.sccs.swarthmore.edu...

For the song in Irish and the composer, see:
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.fainne.org/danlann/...

EXTRACT:
Cumadh an t-amhrán seo go gairid tar éis bhriseadh na Seacaibíteach ag cath Chùil Lodair sa bhliain 1746 agus ba é an Prionsa Séarlas Éadbhard Stíobhart 'gille mear' an fhile. Focal Gàidhlig is ea 'gille' a bhfuil gaol sanasaíochta aige le 'giolla' na Gaeilge ach a chiallaíonn 'buachaill'. Leis an bhfonn Albanach dar teideal 'An Suaithneas Bàn' a chastar an t-amhrán.

A rough interpretation of this is:

The song was composed shortly after a battle in 1746, and Prince Charles Edward Stuart was the 'ghille mear' of the song. This means approximately 'bonnie lad'.

Hope that's some help to you.



Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 16:36
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 8
Grading comment
Thanks...Actually I had read most of the information on the liner notes of Celtic Connections, but I wanted the actual translation of the terms..I guess that ghillle means "lad" and that mear means "bonnie"
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