Member-only story

Carmina Gadelica Volume II: Texts and Contexts by Ronald Black

Vincent Mitchell

·5.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Carmina Gadelica Volume II Roland Schimmelpfennig

6 min read

720 View Claps

84 Respond

Save

Listen

Carmina Gadelica Volume II: Texts and Contexts is a collection of Scottish Gaelic songs and prayers, collected and translated by Ronald Black. It is the second volume in the Carmina Gadelica series, which was first published in 1900. The first volume was a collection of songs and prayers from the Isle of Skye, while the second volume includes songs and prayers from a wider range of sources, including the mainland of Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man.

Carmina Gadelica, Volume II

by Roland Schimmelpfennig

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2334 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	627 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The songs and prayers in Carmina Gadelica Volume II are a rich source of information about Scottish Gaelic culture and history. They provide insights into the lives of the people who sang them, their beliefs and customs, and the challenges they faced. The songs are often beautiful and moving, and they offer a glimpse into a world that is now long gone.

Ronald Black was a Scottish Gaelic scholar and folklorist. He was born in the Isle of Skye in 1860, and he grew up speaking Scottish Gaelic as his first language. Black was a gifted linguist and musician, and he had a deep love of Scottish Gaelic culture. He spent his life collecting and preserving Scottish Gaelic songs and prayers, and he published several books on the subject.

Carmina Gadelica Volume II is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Scottish Gaelic culture and history. It is a collection of songs and prayers that are both beautiful and informative. Ronald Black's translations are accurate and sympathetic, and they help to bring the songs and prayers to life.

The Songs and Prayers

The songs and prayers in Carmina Gadelica Volume II are divided into four sections: love songs, work songs, religious songs, and prayers. The love songs are often beautiful and moving, and they express the joys and sorrows of love. The work songs are more down-to-earth, and they reflect the daily lives of the people who sang them. The religious songs are often充滿虔誠，它們反映了蘇格蘭蓋爾人對信仰的承諾。 The prayers are often very personal, and they offer a glimpse into the hopes and fears of the people who prayed them.

One of the most famous songs in Carmina Gadelica Volume II is "Mo Rùn Geal Dileas" ("My Fair and Gentle Love"). This song is a beautiful love song that expresses the singer's love for his beloved. The song has been sung by many famous singers, including Julie Fowlis and Capercaillie.

Another popular song in Carmina Gadelica Volume II is "Mairi Mhòr nan Òran" ("Mairi Mhòr of the Songs"). This song is a work song that tells the story of a young woman who was forced to work as a servant. The song is a moving and powerful indictment of the harsh conditions that many people faced in 19th-century Scotland.

The religious songs in Carmina Gadelica Volume II are often very beautiful and moving. One of the most famous religious songs is "A Mhàiri Dhuibh" ("O Black Mary"). This song is a hymn to the Virgin Mary, and it is often sung at funerals and other religious occasions. The song is beautiful and moving, and it expresses the singer's deep faith in God.

The prayers in Carmina Gadelica Volume II are often very personal and moving. One of the most famous prayers is "A Dh' Ìosa" ("O Jesus"). This prayer is a simple but powerful plea for God's help and protection. The prayer is often said at bedtime or in times of trouble. It is a beautiful and comforting prayer, and it offers a glimpse into the deep faith of the people who prayed it.

The Historical Context

The songs and prayers in Carmina Gadelica Volume II were collected during a time of great change in Scottish Gaelic culture. The Highland Clearances were in full swing, and many Gaelic-speaking communities were being forced to leave their homes. The Scottish Gaelic language was also in decline, and many people were abandoning it in favor of English. In this context, Ronald Black's work was of great importance. He helped to preserve the Scottish Gaelic language and culture, and he gave the world a glimpse into a world that was rapidly disappearing.