A Song a Week #5 A Mhic Iain ’ic Sheumais

A Mhic Iain ’ic Sheumais / Son of John, son of James.
Despite the subject of this song, I used to sing it to rock my youngest child to sleep. The rhythm of the song, when sung at a slow pace, soothed him enough to help him drift off! Unfortunately it doesn’t work for 11 year olds!
The song is a waulking song, and relates to the battle of Carinish in North Uist in 1601, where Donald MacDonald (Dòmhnall mac Iain, ‘ic Sheumais) lead a successful attack against a group of raiding MacLeods.
During the battle, Donald was wounded by an arrow to the thigh. His foster mother is said to have sung this song while she tended to his wounds. Women believed that drinking some of the blood of the wounded would help heal the wound, a theme that is evident in this song, along with the love and worry of a mother looking after her child.
Words and translation can be found here: www.celticlyric...

[@uwegoldschmidt7575]

This is so beautiful!!! Thank you!

[@rachelzacrep]

This is just so magnificent!!!! Oh my heart. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece with us!

[@charlotteclifford7582]

You are so talented! 😍👌

[@labrinigiotiofficial]