Leanabh an àigh
Many people are familiar with the hymn, Morning Has Broken, whose English lyrics were written by Eleanor Farjeon in 1931. Most people are not aware that there is a much older Christmas Carol set to a traditional Scottish tune.
Mairi NicDhughaill (NicDhomhnaill) -- Mary MacDonald nee MacDugall -- who lived at Ardtun, Ross of Mull in the Inner Hebrides was an accomplished poet. Her carol Leanan Aigh an Leanabh Aig Mairi -- Child of Wonder, Child of Mary -- was written in perhaps the early to mid 1800s. When it was translated to English, badly in my opinion, the tune was named Bunessan for a place near Ardtun. Since then Bunessan has been used for many hymns. Although I am not a Gaelic speaker, I find this very lovely, soft an soothing.
Here is a link to my version of Morning Has Broken.
Mairi NicDhughaill (NicDhomhnaill) -- Mary MacDonald nee MacDugall -- who lived at Ardtun, Ross of Mull in the Inner Hebrides was an accomplished poet. Her carol Leanan Aigh an Leanabh Aig Mairi -- Child of Wonder, Child of Mary -- was written in perhaps the early to mid 1800s. When it was translated to English, badly in my opinion, the tune was named Bunessan for a place near Ardtun. Since then Bunessan has been used for many hymns. Although I am not a Gaelic speaker, I find this very lovely, soft an soothing.
Here is a link to my version of Morning Has Broken.