Fear a' Bhàta explained

Fear a' Bhàta (translated The boatman) is a Scots Gaelic song from the late 18th century, written by an unknown author waiting for her lover to return from his fishing journeys. The song captures the emotions that she endured during their courtship.

Lyrics

There are many versions of the lyrics and of the melody:

Analysis

According to legend, the poem was written by Sìne NicFhionnlaigh (Jean Finlayson) of Tong who was courting a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath. In some versions of the legend they were married not long after she composed the song.^{[1] [2]} Contemporary scholars and 19th century sources describe the authoress of the poem as unknown.^{[3] [4]}

See also

• Ailein duinn
• Chì mi na mòrbheanna
• Gaelic music

External links

• Lyrics for full traditional version
• Lyrics for all versions
• Sìneag MacIntyre's rendition on the BBC website for learners of Gaelic

Notes and References

1. Web site: BBC ALBA – Bliadhna nan Òran – Òrain : Sgrìobhaichean, Sìne NicFhionnlaigh . Bbc.co.uk . 1970-01-01 . 2013-09-02.
2. Web site: Beag Air Bheag - Learn a Gaelic Song . BBC . 1970-01-01 . 2013-09-02.
3. Book: Mackenzie . John . Logan . James . Sar-obair nam bard gaelach: or, The beauties of Gaelic poetry, and lives of the Highland bards; with historical and critical notes, and a comprehensive glossary of provincial words . 1841 . Glasgow, Macgregor, Polson . lv . [...] many a popular song is the work of obscure or unknown peasants and seafaring men. Such are Fhir a bhata, Air mo run geal òg, and numerous others.
4. Byrne . Michel . A Window on the Late Eighteenth-Century Scottish Highlands: The Songs of Mairearad Ghriogarach . Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium . 2010 . 30 . 39–60 . 1545-0155.