Death & Dying
MacCrimmon’s Lament
Translated by Professor Blackie (in Lyra Celtica, 1896) · From Lyra Celtica (1924)
Round Coolin’s peak the mist is sailing,
The banshee croons her note of wailing,
Mild blue eyne with sorrow are streaming
For him that shall never return, MacCrimmon!
The breeze on the brae is mournfully blowing!
The brook in the hollow is plaintively flowing,
The warblers, the soul of the groves, are moaning,
For MacCrimmon that’s gone, with no hope of returning!
The tearful clouds the stars are veiling,
The sails are spread, but the boat is not sailing,
The waves of the sea are moaning and mourning
For MacCrimmon that’s gone to find no returning!
No more on the hill at the festal meeting
The pipe shall sound with echo repeating,
And lads and lasses change mirth to mourning
For him that is gone to know no returning!
No more, no more, no more for ever,
In war or peace, shall return MacCrimmon;
No more, no more, no more for ever
Shall love or gold bring back MacCrimmon!
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “MacCrimmon’s Lament.” Translated by Professor Blackie. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/130/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “MacCrimmon’s Lament.” Translated by Professor Blackie. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/130/.
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