I remember the days when we laughed like two sisters,
In the green-shaded lochan we splashed and we swam,
And naked as babies we shared the same plaid dear;
To the joys of our girlhood I long to return.
I remember the days when we walked in the heather,
Braved the rain on the hillside, your hand in my hand,
Won the peat for our fire-hearth before the long evenings;
To the hearth of my woman I long to return.
I remember those days just as if it were moments
Since I held you close to me and it gave me such joy,
When, body to body, we climbed up to heaven;
To the bliss of such heaven I long to return.
O heart of my heartbeat and life of my life-song,
I am older – not wiser – an ocean away.
Oh where’s the bold ship that will carry me homeward
To die with my sweetheart? I long to return.
[c] 2006
Author notes
In the late 18th century and through much of the 19th century, folk from the Scottish highlands were forced from their homes, to make way for sheep and for hunting grounds for rich land-owners. At these times many songs of longing and lament for the lost land of their upbringing were composed and sung. “Bu Deonach Leam Tilleadh” is one such. Here I have adapted it, as lovingly as I could, to reflect the feelings of a woman lamenting the woman she once loved, but has never seen since they parted in the Highland Clearances, many years before. She remembers their simple, innocent, joyful love. The tune to this song is wistful and beautiful. I often hum it myself, particularly when sailing away from the Isle of Mull, which I consider to be the most beautiful of all the Inner Hebrides. Mairi bheag Marasgal
Written February 10th, 2006
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1 - 53 of 53
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Now reading this lovely poem at almost two in the morning, does not do good me good. Although not a Scot, neither been in Scotland, I have this softness in my heart for it. I love the words of this poem, and its longing ignites emotions within me. Thank you for the picture, it adds to the poem, but even without it the song touches the heart. I shall come back to read more about and of Scotland. Frans
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Frans, I have a list of poems on Scottish themes - please feel welcome to explore it. And thank you.
M
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I long to return
When I went to Scotland this summer I was struck by its beauty (again) but I haven't (so far) found words to put to those feelings. Somehow this poem did, so thanks for that
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Thank you K the W. The Scottish Gaels had an acute sense of place. Their songs of leaving are very poignant. I am glad you liked this one - sorry it took me so long to reply.
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Thanks for the comments Bazza. Have you done any family research? I don't recognise the surname Brookie. I am glad you liked this poem. Have a look at www.footstompin.com/music/scottish_song/chi_min_geamhradh to find a CD with the song on it.
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It is highly likely my links emigrated to New zealand because of discrimination etc. and the Brookie family are recognised as pioneers over there.
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Brilliant , beautiful and original.
The picture is beautiful but the feelings and emotion are overwhelming and vividly sincere in their longing to return to their childhood. This poem pulls hard at my emotions and is the tune I have been trying to write although I dont know the melody that you hum to it, but certainly would love to hear it. This poem is hauntingly powerful and written with a warmth rare these days . I keep coming back .. I cant help it .... -
Aaaawwww, Bazza, you beauty! Thank you, mate.
Marie -
Beautifully and delicately written
A beautiful picture that is so touching and intimate yet shares your love for Scotland. Vividly and so delicately painted. I am adding you to my favourites list immediately. -
Thank you so much - I think that is the first time I have ever received a "Huzzah". I shall frame it!
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Huzzah!
You managed to paint up a visual treat here, the flow adding to the sense of loss and innocent longing.A beautifully tragic piece that manages well to avoid becoming melodrama. Inspirational and heart-touchingly crafted. Huzzah! -
Thank you Linda.
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very pretty and original poem, I love the scenery and words to flow with the picture.. good word choices and form of the write is so relaxing to read.. keep it up and good luck..
Linda -
Looks like you cried twice. Thank you for dropping by, agus failte gu mo thir.
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Beautiful though Australia is, it can't compare with home, can it? I have wandered all around Scotland. It is such a small place, but there are sae mony nueks I havenae seen! Come home, eamarti - even if it is for a wee visit.
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Touching
This poem brought tears to my eyes.. -
Touching
This poem brought tears to my eyes.. -
Beautiful write
Reading this poem and all the comments has made me homesick - I have lived in Australia for 20 years and still I have a yearning to go back to Scotland. I adored your poem and the picture - it just took by breath away - the shame is that when I lived there I didn't visit places like the Outer Hebrides - absoluately my loss. Thank you for this. -
Bethan, the singer who first came to my notice singing this song (in the original Gaelic) was born and raised on Barra. It is a lovely tune. The outer Hebrides are bleak, wild, and beautiful.
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ethereal, the picture is of the Black Cottage in Glencoe, a wonderful part of our country. I am so glad you liked the poem.
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Thank you December.
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Masterblaster, the lilt of the tune inspired the poem. I am so glad you liked it.
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StoneLion, thank you,
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Tangle, you would love the music - thanks for stopping by.
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You'll love it ...
This is a wonderful poem. My ancestors are from the island of Barra. Do you know it? This poem (and the beautiful pic) really made me think of them. Your use of language and imagery is really profound and the whole feel of the poem leaves me feeling that I can relate to it. Very well done. An excellent write. x -
excellent
This is beautiful Mairi. The words are so haunting, and speak of that wonderful time in our youth. It is something that would be great to return to. The picture is just perfect for your write.
I enjoyed reading this one.
etherealforu
smoosh
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wow this is very nice good job keep it up
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Hi, very lovely you can almost hear the lilting tune, a little like a lullaby, we all long to turn to our roots but I wonder if if we did would we find it as we remembered it, I doubt it more's the pity, the world has changed from sad to worse and we can only dream and write of those tiimes, I loved this poem it is very beautiful, all the best,I miss Scotland too, hugs Di
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My fellow Pixie, this is beautifully written. It has an almost classical feel to it and is just enthralling. Well done in everyway! Smooshes!
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Excellent
I am always raptured with you homeland tales. It imparts to me music I'll never know or really hear. Captivating!! -
Thank you
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The longing in this peice is so vivid. Great job.
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Grand
This is so touching! How I wish to feel like that some day, to look back on a wonderful time of fulfilled love... -
Michael my dear friend, many thanks for your kind comments. I hope to persuade a friend of mine to sing this song for me, and make an mp3 of it.
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Wonderful!
I was certain that I had comment on this brilliant poem. But apparently not. It is actually more of a philter than a poem (though the two can be one and the same). This piece is utterly spellbinding, ethereal and ineffably bittersweet. It has effected me as very few other poems have ever done. I love it! It is touched with genius. wonderful. Bravo! -
Charishma, thank you for your appreciation of the poem, and for stopping by to comment. Replies like yours make it all worthwhile.
M -
Colin, forgive my replying in English. I can string a few phrases of Gaelic together, but not colloquially enough for a conversation. Had I known there were Gaelic speakers on the site I might have been more circumspect . I see you are in Aberdeen; in answer to your question, I'm by Dundee, so we are not too far away from each other. Thank you for dropping by and applauding the poem.
Marie -
Wonderful !
Wow! This is very beautiful and truly a refreshing read after a long and tiring day. I enjoyed the imagery of this poem and with the picture, it just doubled my joy! The flow of this poem is smooth and gorgeous, the expressions vivid and catching and the longing of one lady for the other, very clearly evident. Although this is a non-rhyming poem, one doesn't miss anything here because it is completely complete with what it already has. Thank you for sharing the notes in the comment box. They have helped me understand this in a whole new light and much better than I would have understood where this was coming from and how deep it is.
All the best,
Charishma
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caite a bheil thu a furachd a Mhairi ,tha mis ann an Obar Dheathainn.
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Dydd da, Meic bach - and "diolch yn fawr" to you too! Och laddie, if we had naethin' tae complain aboot, there'd be nae Celtic culture at a'.
I am glad you liked this offering. Please drop by my door here at AP at any time.
Mb -
You've captured the intense longing [hiraedd in Welsh] of the exile with elegance and a quiet power - but then that's the Celtic way is it not?
For this piece: diolch yn fawr
Meic -
A'Reul-Roisin, mo charaid - thank you so much for praising my poem.
William Wallace is a very controversial figure these days, who has been seized for his political value, I'm afraid. In real life he didn't care whether he slaughtered men women or children. Today, ordinary Scottish citizens of English origins (our largest ethnic minority in Scotland) have suffered abuse because some people who ought to know better have "bought" the Hollywood version of Wallace.
It's a beautiful country we have here, long may it flourish in peace. Alba gu brath!
Mb -
A' Shionad Mhairi, mo chridhe - thank you for dropping by. I am glad you liked the poem. If you, or any other reader would like to hear the lovely tune to which these words are set, then Gaelic singer Catherine-Ann MacPhee has a lovely version on her album "Chi Mi'n Geamhradh".
I would like to thank all the other people who have repsonded to my poem. Please feel free to visit my other work.
Mairi bheag Marasgal
Edited on Feb 11, 5:34 because ''. -
O heart of my heartbeat and life of my life-song,
I am older – not wiser – an ocean away.
Oh where’s the bold ship that will carry me homeward
To die with my sweetheart? I long to return.
i thought of william wallace and his fight for freedom. love is a mighty powerful thing. it is. thank you for writing this very beautiful poem and for sharing it with me tonight. viyanna r langager -
hmm..the sense of nostalgia runs through your poem.You know dear friend,that's how we all sometimes feel when thinking about the past.But we can't ignore this fact that the old days are not to come back.
Wish you happy days.
Shahrzad
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this is sooooo sad I wish I knew the tune. I like scottish and irsh music and find it hauntingly beautiful You made a great job of this
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Past are the past, and if you hadn't yet returned to that place which that sweet mememories in this present, then my friend, there are always tomorrow... and the future could be the perfect time to return...
Have plan and hope that plan to come true...
you will definately reach wherever you want to reach.
Keep the pace...
Mukti, Nepal
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Melodies, thank you for stopping by and for your praise.
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This poem is dear and sweet, a delight to read and hold close. My gratitude to you for sharing it and the history a culture that goes with it. You have such a rich talent for letting words flow in streams of wonder. Thank you for this!
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Thank you for your praise, Michael, and for dropping by.
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Amazing!
I don't know the song that you speak of, but what you have written here is painfully beautiful. The scanion is perfect, I have never seen any beter anywhere. Amazing! -
Shaker, glad you liked it - thank you for dropping by. Incidentally, if you would like to hear the lovely tune to which these words are set, then Gaelic singer Catherine-Ann MacPhee has a lovely version on her album "Chi Mi'n Geamhradh".
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This is a lovely write and it is so true that we long to see what once was. Times change and we are forced to change in some ways with it, but our memories can always take us back. This poem would be a great place to visit in the mind's eye. Thank you for your comment on my work also. I really enjoyed this! The Shaker
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