The Cutter - Seonaidh Beag Iain

The story behind one of Runrig’s best-known tracks, 'The Cutter'. Seonaidh Morrison, from the Isle of North Uist, is reunited with the songwriters who celebrated him in words.

[@deanworsley2244]

Wow, what a great story 🥰 I've been a fan of the band for decades, many wonderful memories associated with their music, I bet for every song there's a similar story to this. My great-grandfathers family emigrated to Australia from Scotland in the early 20th century and sadly I have not been back to visit that part of my heritage. Every time I see images of Scotland though there's something that lights up in my heart and I will return before too much longer, maybe there's a pull on my soul or something because I just have to do this. Thank you Runrig for your amazing stories ❣

[@seanirishterrier6588]

The best story behind a classic song, it melts your heart.

[@suflo8245]

Runrig always in my heart there will never be another band to touch you.God Bless you wherever you all are.💗

[@christhomas856]

Wonderful homage to Johnny bringing his story to life in a unique way, thank you!

[@duneideann9241]

Beautiful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ah Johnny

[@anselman3156]

"So you hold your mother and you bless the air, with the tears of the emigrant, tongue of the Gael". That line always moves me.

[@jmcc2275]

So…this is the guy.I often wondered what he looked like. Turns out he’s the gem of a guy I thought he would be. What a treat to come across this video.

[@andreasorth5294]

Thank you for these wonderful treasure. Also got a personl letter from Rory, which gives me a lot of strength. They are great people.

[@hazelharris9906]

I love this story so much, Runrig you are amazing. I'm so touched by this story that I'm going to visit Loch Maddy when I cycle the Uists this summer. It will be a pilgrimage to Calum and Rory's island

[@christiangering]

This short film is a gem, a moving story, indeed. Thank you for sharing it, for making it available to people outside of the British Isles who unfortunately cannot watch BBC ALBA. "Oh Johnny, you're home, man, it's a long road you drove us down ..." After having sung along these lines so many times, I am glad to have learnt more about the background of the song and its hero, Seonaidh Moireasdan. Mòran taing a chàirdean, "Heartland" agus BBC ALBA!

[@terryengland1880]

They just don't make meaningful music like this 😢😢

[@grahamfleming8139]

Uabhasach math! Nuar bha mi og.fuireach mi an Londubh siorach ros. Sgoinnnel!

[@donnyhiabg]

The first Runrig song I ever heard..... Oot the window o a workmates van in Dalcross, at the long gone Christian Salvesen Fish Freezing and storage /cold store factory. The song spoke to me, reminded me of my long gone father, a man o the Islands, a speaker of Gaelic, and indeed the many that had emigrated, migrated, away from Scotland, the Isles of the Hebrideas, and also those that came here frae all the airts (Irish 4/5 generations gone, that came to work on the Lowland farms. We are so many cast adrift on the world, and why we recognise the pain, and more, of those that have either come to Scotland, or, returned.....

[@r2gnl]

Thanks!

[@samfinnegan7615]

Beautiful ❤️

[@cubanassassin1972]

Mom dad granda granpa both sides were fluent gaelic speakers. Its wonderful to hear it. Hes a true gael.

[@jespernielsen8619]

Just amazing 💙💙

[@elainemordoch2934]

Tapadh leibh!!! Beautiful story and so well done - simple and poignant!! Great to hear the Gaelic!!

[@dannymcintyre3819]

Ahhh. Seonaidh Beag Iain. Bho Loch na Madadh.

[@corsa772]

When you arrived in Canada you walked the streets Out of the work, out of money, prospects bleak The plane comes down in the morning sky And you touch the land where the fire won't die Oh Johnny, you're home, man It's a long road You drove us down It's only a moment Since the diesels turned And now the blade cuts clean through the island soil The years roll back and the world grows small You stand on the banks in the wind and the rain And all of your money now can't hide the pain Oh Johnny, you're home, man It's a long road You drove us down It's only a moment Since the diesels turned Heath flame is burning bright Burning every night, it's winter in Ontario The wheels that turned us village kids Carry through the heaths They no longer turn for you So you hold your mother and you bless the air With the tears of the emigrant, tongue of the Gael The plane takes off in a clear blue sky Life's a long lost list of last goodbyes Oh Johnny, you're home, man That's a long road You drove us down It's only a moment Since the diesels turned Johnny, you're home, man That's a long road You drove us down It's only a moment Since the diesels turned (Oh yeah)

[@gachrudgaelach]

Maith thu Seonaidh, sceál le cur geal ar aon croì. Táim dochasach go bhfuil sé beo fòs.

[@Suzycat1000]

Thanks so much for this. The Cutter has always been one of my favourites but never knew the story behind it till now.

[@leet5050]

Lovely