An Eala Bhàn (The White Swan) - Julie Fowlis

On July 1st 2016 I had the immense honour of being a part of the National Commemorative event to mark the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme at the Thiepval Memorial in France.
As part of the commemoration Julie Fowlis sang "An Eala Bhàn" ("The White Swan) - a Scottish Gaelic song written in the trenches during WWI by Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna of North Uist.
Voice - Julie Fowlis
Guitar - Tony Byrne
Fiddle - Patsy Reid
Harmonium - Alistair Iain Paterson
BBC1 Live recording - July 1st 2016

[@johnmcdade7379]

My grandfather was killed in The Battle of Loos. .His body never came home to Scotland nor did his brother .They lived next door to each other and left a widow and six children ,12 children left fatherless ( my own father the youngest at 4 ys old). He's buried in the cemetery at Loos En Gohelle. Thank you for this wonderful act of remembrance .For all of them who fell and us their descendant families.

[@HIBERNIAN04]

I was fortunate to be one of those drawn out of the hat by the CWGC to get a ticket for this event. As a big fan of Julie Fowlis I was blown away by her rendition of An Eala Bhán

[@Dactyrouxy]

J'y étais.

[@peterkeating4230]

My brother and I were fortunate to be there that day to remember grandad. Bidh cuimhne agam air an òran seo gu bràth

[@johannplossnig9298]

Hello ... I'm from Austria .... I love this music and this language. (Singing) .... For me, julie Fowlis is one of the best (most versatile) musicians I've heard ....!

[@maartenwierenga1978]

I'm so grateful that this version is put on KZbin. I saw it when sang live on television... Breathtaking and you feel the emotions of the writer of the poem through this amazingly beautiful dang version of an eale van🙏🙏🙏

[@tkaultopbd1]

A beautiful tribute to those brave young men who were repeatedly sent over the top into the maw of the Grim Reaper by incompetent officers.

[@quakethedoombringer]

It's extremely poetic that Julie dresses like a white swan herself

[@DPG214]

Sublime. Beautiful in every respect - and fitting for fallen brave warriors.

[@BlackBacon44]

I was there and have been a fan ever since.

[@jicm8773]

I have watched a lot of documentaries about the Great War, amb some of them are really hard, but none of them makes me feel so close to all those unfortunate men (who knew so clear they were sent to death by insane leaders) like this song, this performance amb specially this voice.

[@KSMike1]

One of the most beautiful performances I’ve ever heard, and that of one of the saddest songs ever written.

[@craigtravisfehr]

Yes

[@sara_polverini]

Best Gàidhlig song ever 🤍

[@aliciamarielicayan6311]

❤

[@normandate7696]

Stunning

[@harryhope5492]

Very moving.

[@alanbrooke144]

An English translation of Domhnall Ruadh Chorùna’s poem, written in the trenches of the Great War: I reckon I'm in a pretty sorry state with my heart being seized by sadness from the time when I left the high mist-shrouded hills, the little glens filled with lovesongs, with their lochs, bays, and streams. and the white swan who lives there who every day I pursue. Magaidh, don't be unhappy my dear, even if I should die. What man amongst all people can live eternally, for ever? We are all just visiting, like daisies in an empty fold, the year's wind and rain will bring them down and the sun won't pick them up. Kneeling in the trenches my mind's on you, love. When I sleep I dream of you, and I don't expect to survive. My thoughts are filled with overwhelming sorrow, and my hair that was so red, now it's almost white. If it is fated for me to return living from the battlefield, and I see again the place where I was brought up, we'll have ourselves and clasping hands and warm lips giving kisses, and my promise will be fulfilled for you by placing a ring on your finger. But if the time comes and I die in France, and I'm placed in a grave where there are thousands of others, my blessings will be with the maid, the fair noble girl, let each day pass without troubles for her and let her have no contact with shame. Good night, my love, in your warm fragrant bed, may you have a peaceful sleep, and then awaken in health and happiness. I'm here in the cold trench, in my ears the din of death, with no expectation of getting out victorious, the sea takes so long to swim.

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Thank you.

[@mikem9001]

cho tarraingeach

[@harryhope5492]

so sad

[@Kcccccc-cm5gx]

Gur duilich leam mar tha mi 's mo chridhe 'n sàs aig bròn bhon an uair a dh'fhàg mi beanntan àrd a'cheò, gleanntannan a'mhànrain nan loch, nam bàgh, 's nan stròm 's an eala bhàn 'tha tamh ann gach là air 'm bheil mi'n tòir. A Mhagaidh na bi tùrsach a rùin, ged gheibhinn bàs. Cò am fear am measg an t-sluaigh a mhaireas buan gu bràth? Chan eil sinn uileadh ach air chuairt mar dhìthein buaile fàs bheir siantannan na bhliadhna sìos 's nach tog a'ghrian an àird. Air m'uilinn anns na truinnseachan tha m'inntinn ort, a ghràidh. Nam chadal bidh mi 'bruadar ort, cha dualach dhomh bhith slàn. Tha m'aigne air a' lìonadh le cianalas cho làn, 's a' ghruag a dh'fhàs cho ruadh orm a-nis air thuar bhith bàn. Mas e 's gu bheil e 'n dàn dhomh o'n bhlàr gu'n till mi beò, is gu'm faic mi'n t-àite 's an deachaidh m'àrach òg, bidh sinne 's crathadh làmh againn is bilean blàth toirt phòg, 's mo ghealltanas bidh pàighte dhut le fàinne chur mu d'mheòir. Ach ma thig an t-àm is anns an Fhraing gu'm faigh mi bàs, 's an uaigh gu'n tèid mo shineadh far éil na mìltean chàch, mo bheannachd leis a'ghruagaich, a'chaileag uasal bhàn, gach latha a dh'fhalbh gun uallach dhi gun nàire gruaidh na dhàil. Oidhche mhath leat fhéin, a rùin, nad leabaidh chùbhraidh bhlàth, cadal sàmhach air a chùl 's do dhùsgadh sunndach slàn. Tha mise 'seo 'san truinnsidh fhuair nam chluaisean fuaim a bhàis, gun dùil ri faighinn às le buaidh tha'n cuan cho buan ri shnàmh.

[@craigtravisfehr]

Excuse me, what is this I've just read?

[@Kcccccc-cm5gx]

@craigtravisfehr The lyrics to the song lol 😜

[@craigtravisfehr]

​@Kcccccc-cm5gx Thank you. That is fantastic. I thought they might be. Well, alright then, everything checks out here. Good! No compliment necessary then. Right! Unless you had written them, of course. And that thought had not even entered my mind for a moment. And there it remains.

[@Kcccccc-cm5gx]

​@craigtravisfehr Haha oh noooooo! Lol Gaelic is super hard for me lol not saying IMPOSSIBLE, but difficult haha xD I copied and pasted so I can actually sing the lyrics when I follow along. ❤

[@user-ze4dn6ck4v]

⚕ 💚 ☆