In the late nineteenth century, Sìne NicFhionnlaigh (Jean Finlayson) of Tong was in love with a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath, and she wrote Fear A’ Bhàta (the title translates “the boatman”) for him. It must have worked – they were married shortly after it was composed!
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Often I look from the highest hill To find whether I can see the boatman. Will you come today or will you come tomorrow? And if you don’t come at all I will be miserable. O, boatman, another ‘na horo’, My heart is bruised and broken, My darling promised me a gown of silk, From now on I shall be mournfully tearful, |
‘S tric mi sealltainn o’n chnòc a’s àirde Dh’fheuch am faic mi fear a bhàta An tig thu’n diùigh no’n tig thu màireach ‘S mur tig thu idir gur truagh a tà’ mi Fhir a bhata ‘sna horo eile Tha mo chridhe-sa briste brùite Gheall mo leannan dhomh gùn dhe’n t-sìoda Bidh mi tuille gu tùrsach deùrach |
Performance video from concert, May 30, 2015, with Philadelphia Bronze, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. |
Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
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