4 of my grandmother’s 5 sons spent many years fishing off the Alaskan coast. She was 100 percent German, but married a Scotch-Irish lad; their cultural and musical tastes have influenced our family greatly. A kind, gentle lady, she loved her husband’s Celtic music and often played this song in particular. I imagine her in Connecticut, thousands of miles from her adventurous, seafaring sons, thinking of them and praying for their safety. She passed a few years back at 89, a quiet soul who took little but gave much, who’s husband preceded her at 87 after 62 years of marriage. Here’s to you, Gramma.
Every true folk music is of such deep beauty and human truth. I'm from the Alps, I love my folk music so much, just as I love Gaelic folk music. We must all cherish our cultures, languages and traditions - and simultaneously live together in the EU to support and respect each other. ❤
This beautiful song was written at about the same time my 5x great grandmother Sinead Gordon was sent from Inverness to Australia as a convict in 1792. I hear this song and I think of her. Thank you for sharing!
I stumble upon this video whilst looking for another one of his great songs "Caledonia" it makes me proud to be scottish when such a simple tune can pull at your heart strings and long to return to Scotland.
The Fiddler is Maire Breatnach and she plays not a fiddle but a viola. she really has the most melancholic sound i ever heard. Saw her in Germany in 2003 with Norland wind, the best concert I`ve ever seen.
I met marie Breatnach at a Pub in Dingle when my husband and I visited about 5 years ago. I loved her playing so much and asked if she had CD's. She did and brought them all the next night and I bought them. She was so kind and her music is so beautiful. This is so lovely!
Just played Capercaille (Karen Matheson singing) doing this piece. Both versions are terribly nostalgic, but absolutely brilliant. (Playing now at Kenny MacLean's house !!!). Can't get enough of this type of music, thank the Lord there's tons of it on UA-cam.
Sometimes words are simply not enough. The fiddler - whoever she is - she portaits longing, loss, love, family, homestead in such a way It's all I can do to hold back the tears of the years gone by. Good tears & bad.
Lyrics in English of: *"Fear a' Bhàta" ("O' Boatman" / "Oh Man of The Boat")* *** chorus (Fear a' Bháta, o ho ro eile) Oh man of the boat and no one else Oh man of the boat and no one else Oh man of the boat and no one else A fond farewell wherever you go I often look from the highest hill To try and see the boatman Will you come today or tomorrow If you don't come at all I will be downhearted (chorus) My heart is broken and bruised With tears often flowing from my eyes Will you come tonight or will I expect you Or will I close the door with a sad sigh? (chorus) I often ask people on boats Whether they see you or whether you are safe Each of them says That I was foolish to fall in love with you. (chorus -- sometimes sung twice) _______ *** "Composed in the late 18th Century by Jane Finlayson ...... of Tong, Lewis for a young Uig fisherman, Donald MacRae." ...... (The pair eventually married)
People..simple read the liner notes..& consider a bit more deeply- a house is just a place where or where not someone might or may have lived...A place where someone live, eats, creates family, lives happen & are lost, where music is made & meals are prepared is a home.
Person with the accordion is Andy Thorburn and the fiddle player's name I know but (sorry) it is temporarily gone from my mind but she is from Ireland and used to play with the Sharon Shannon Band.
Iam a great fan of Dougie. I know who is and I know Scotland too. Been in Scotland several times. I think this is not his home but the Mac Lean's house. You know place of famous person like Dougie where in his fans can sign in the book. Etc. Those hardly are his relatives either. Mac Lean's name are not else than Dougie. The list of names is end.
@teluvinas No, that'd be me! :) Love this video, though. All three musicians are so lost in the music, it's like they're never coming back. Absolute magic.
Is brea liom an ceann seo atá chomh binn agus lán de mhothucháin agus is deas é Dougie McLean a fheiceáil a thug Caledonia don saol mór agus do na hAlbannaigh go speisialta!
4 of my grandmother’s 5 sons spent many years fishing off the Alaskan coast. She was 100 percent German, but married a Scotch-Irish lad; their cultural and musical tastes have influenced our family greatly. A kind, gentle lady, she loved her husband’s Celtic music and often played this song in particular. I imagine her in Connecticut, thousands of miles from her adventurous, seafaring sons, thinking of them and praying for their safety. She passed a few years back at 89, a quiet soul who took little but gave much, who’s husband preceded her at 87 after 62 years of marriage. Here’s to you, Gramma.
I'm Scottish with a German mother . Your words speak volumes.
Are we Gaels not fortunate to have music such as this? We have also great musician to stir the heart.🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Every true folk music is of such deep beauty and human truth. I'm from the Alps, I love my folk music so much, just as I love Gaelic folk music. We must all cherish our cultures, languages and traditions - and simultaneously live together in the EU to support and respect each other.
❤
This beautiful song was written at about the same time my 5x great grandmother Sinead Gordon was sent from Inverness to Australia as a convict in 1792. I hear this song and I think of her. Thank you for sharing!
I stumble upon this video whilst looking for another one of his great songs "Caledonia" it makes me proud to be scottish when such a simple tune can pull at your heart strings and long to return to Scotland.
THAT is one of the most beautiful playings of that song in the history of the world.
Dougie great artist
The Fiddler is Maire Breatnach and she plays not a fiddle but a viola. she really has the most melancholic sound i ever heard. Saw her in Germany in 2003 with Norland wind, the best concert I`ve ever seen.
The fields of Ard Skellige....
yeah man
This is lovely , the lady plays beautifully
I met marie Breatnach at a Pub in Dingle when my husband and I visited about 5 years ago. I loved her playing so much and asked if she had CD's. She did and brought them all the next night and I bought them. She was so kind and her music is so beautiful. This is so lovely!
Just played Capercaille (Karen Matheson singing) doing this piece. Both versions are terribly nostalgic, but absolutely brilliant. (Playing now at Kenny MacLean's house !!!). Can't get enough of this type of music, thank the Lord there's tons of it on UA-cam.
I always listen this song, and always my tears comes out... Why ?
I really don´t know why I always must cry while i am listening to this absolute cute song
Sometimes words are simply not enough. The fiddler - whoever she is - she portaits longing, loss, love, family, homestead in such a way It's all I can do to hold back the tears of the years gone by. Good tears & bad.
@Marnigato
8 years ago
"The Fiddler is Maire Breatnach and she plays not a fiddle but a viola"
Do you know who is the melodian player?
Legends I’m in HK but love the music
Gorgeous - captures the aching heart waiting for her boatman to return.
An achingly beautiful tune .... played divinely !! ..... My thanks.
Never tire of listening to this, it's so evocative. Stayed at Camus Uig last year and had this playing on my ipod, so beautiful.
Music for the soul, thanks
Absolutely stunning. Brought a tear to my eye.
Was so relaxing and beautiful to listen to.🙂
Lyrics in English of:
*"Fear a' Bhàta" ("O' Boatman" / "Oh Man of The Boat")* ***
chorus
(Fear a' Bháta, o ho ro eile)
Oh man of the boat and no one else
Oh man of the boat and no one else
Oh man of the boat and no one else
A fond farewell wherever you go
I often look from the highest hill
To try and see the boatman
Will you come today or tomorrow
If you don't come at all I will be downhearted
(chorus)
My heart is broken and bruised
With tears often flowing from my eyes
Will you come tonight or will I expect you
Or will I close the door with a sad sigh?
(chorus)
I often ask people on boats
Whether they see you or whether you are safe
Each of them says
That I was foolish to fall in love with you.
(chorus -- sometimes sung twice)
_______
*** "Composed in the late 18th Century by Jane Finlayson
...... of Tong, Lewis for a young Uig fisherman, Donald MacRae."
...... (The pair eventually married)
One of my favorites. ❤❤❤
Fabulous, thanks guys
This hurts it's so beautiful Thankyou so much
Oh....I dream with reach this sweet tempo wirh my Bagpipes...Good Lord!
A great musical moment! Beautiful!! Congratulations to all the musicians!
Pascal
@fireflyxl5 They are Andy Thorburn on accordion and Irish fiddler Máire Breatnach.
Magnifique!!💚💚💚
What a beautiful warm feeling.
Fabulous! Driven past there a few times. Thanks so much for posting.
Perfect
Wonderful. Really capture the sadness of the song. Gorgeous.
Yes, and the unfailing hope...
Fabulous!
Gorgeous. Thanks for posting.
Haunting! I've heard a very classical harmonization to this and so learned it, but this is a gorgeous setting!
Absolutely beautiful
So Beautiful!
Added to my favorites, but I think this is my very favorite of all time...
So beautiful especially played on the Viola. Thank you 🎶❤
❤️❤️
I LOVE THIS VERSION OF FEAR A BHATA OR THE BOATMAN AND I ALSO LOVE THE VERSION BY CARA DILLON !!!!!!
It's so beautiful!viola (instead of violin) is the best for this instrumental song
Absolutely beautiful....
People..simple read the liner notes..& consider a bit more deeply- a house is just a place where or where not someone might or may have lived...A place where someone live, eats, creates family, lives happen & are lost, where music is made & meals are prepared is a home.
Just lovely!
Man....stunning!!
Wow! Amazing to hear such lovely music. Thank you.
nice one. who was playing with Dougie. went to Dunkeld years ago for a holiday. lovely place to visit. thanks for posting. Ray
Person with the accordion is Andy Thorburn and the fiddle player's name I know but (sorry) it is temporarily gone from my mind but she is from Ireland and used to play with the Sharon Shannon Band.
The sweet sound of music! This is exquisite ♥'s
To Skellige!
Dougie MacLean lives in Scotland, this is his house and I suspect the other musicians are his relatives.
:D :D :D :D gorgeous. how can something be so happy and sad and peaceful and heartrending all at the same time
beautiful
The viola joke - 'violins aren't smaller. It's just that the player's heads are bigger!'
Hi Ray. Glad you liked it, a lovely tune. We dont know who the other musicians were, if we find out we'll let you know. See you!
Wow!!
Maire Breatnach, such a genius. Not saying the others suck, but her melancholy carries this. Just...Wow :-O
Iam a great fan of Dougie. I know who is and I know Scotland too. Been in Scotland several times. I think this is not his home but the Mac Lean's house. You know place of famous person like Dougie where in his fans can sign in the book. Etc. Those hardly are his relatives either. Mac Lean's name are not else than Dougie. The list of names is end.
Wow. Definitive.
The other guy playing has to be Dougie's father or his brother.
They really look alot a like dont they? Love this tune.
It's not Dougie's brother. He only has a sister. Could be a cousin. They do look similar.
Accordionist definitely Andy Thorburn, as Shona McMillan said, not Struan Eaglesham. Lovely version.
Beautiful : )
Bravo
There seem to be several types of lyrics of this song. I like Niamh Parsons's version.
Winds howling...
This is lovely. Who are the two musicians with Double MacLean ?
Witcher, the feels.
It's Maire Breathnach on viola.
@puffinnorthsea thanks for the info. i just checked him out on his web site.
@teluvinas No, that'd be me! :) Love this video, though. All three musicians are so lost in the music, it's like they're never coming back. Absolute magic.
Skellige
+denreal2 Witcher!
I see Dougie is playing on a TAYLOR...My choice..although I canna match him for it...
the fiddler - is she not Máire Breatnach?
Saw you Dougie at Innerleitham 2010. When are you coming out to New Zealand folk festival?
OMG THATS A VIOLA!!!! So pretty :)
Absolutely beautiful, a tin whistle would have made it just perfect.
hey thanks man!!
I like you too ;-D
skellige, and fairytail
Words fail me.
Is brea liom an ceann seo atá chomh binn agus lán de mhothucháin agus is deas é Dougie McLean a fheiceáil a thug Caledonia don saol mór agus do na hAlbannaigh go speisialta!
Bella esecuzione, non c' era un testo?
Where and what is Dougie MacLean's house?
Dougie lives in Butterstone Blairgowrie Scotland he purchased his old abandoned school and renovated into a music studio
2021.
@teluvinas No, that'd be me! :)
It's a viola ....
its played like a funeral dirge......too plodding and funereal
It's not a happy song.