Aodann Srath Bhàin

'S mi ri imeachd nam aonar anns an òg-mhadaim Mhàigh
Feadh lèantaichean uaine mar fhear-fuadain gun stàth,
nuair a chunnaic mi a' ghruagach an taobh shuas dhiom a'tàmh
's i ri nigh' a culd aodaich mach air aodann Srath Bhàin.

An sin dhìrich mi suas far 'n robh gruagach mo ghràidh
is labhair mi rithe gu sìobhalta tiàth;
"Tha bliadhn' agus còrr bhon a thòisich an gràdh,
is ma bhitheas tu deònach nì sinn pòsadh gun dàil."

"Gu pòsadh, gu pòsadh ro òg tha mi 'n dràsd'-
gu bheil teang' aig do sheòrsa dhèanadh fògradh 's gach àit;
gurn biodh m'athair 's mo mhàthair gam chàindeadh gu bràth
nam pòsainn do leithid, O fhieasgaich gun stàth."

Ach a nìonagan òga tha gun phòsadh 's gach àit',
na dlùtaibh fir òga le mòrchuis no tàir.
Nach muladach dhòmhsa bhith gun phòsadh gu bràth-
's fheudar fulreach nam aonar mach air aodann Srath Bhàin.

(Translation) The Slopes Of Strath Bàn

Walking out early alone on a morning in May
among green fields, an outcast and purposeless,
I saw a maiden who lived some way above me
as she washed her clothes out on the slopes of Strath Bàn.

I then climbed upwards to the maiden I loved
and courteously and mildly I spoke to her:
"It's over a year since our love began,
and if you are willing we shall marry at once."

"Marry? I'm too young to marry just now-
your sort has a tongue that could cause trouble anywhere;
my father and mother would scold me forever more
if I were to marry the likes of you, you feckless young man."

But you young girls everwhere who are still unmarried,
don't go turning young men down through pride or contempt
How sad for me to be unmarried forever more-
I'll have to live alone, out on the slopes of Strath Bàn.

ALBUM: Capercaillie, Delirium