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Song beginning 'Hu ru o na hi oro' and accompanying story, 21 May 1869

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW150/11

Scope and Contents

Song collected from Donald MacPhee, blacksmith, Brèibhig/Breivig, Barraigh/Isle of Barra, beginning 'Hu ru o na hi oro, Na nam faite Seathain ri fhuasgla[dh]' [Seathan Mac Rìgh Èireann] composed of fifteen lines. The story tells how the song was composed by an aunt of MacLeod of Harris to MacNeill Dhun an t-Sleibh [Dùn an t-Sleibh, Barraigh/Isle of Barra], her husband. She alleged that a priest had tried to take advantage of her in the confessional the response to which was that the priest drowned a candle at mass to show she was excommunicated and her husband angry about this, argued with her causing her to leave home. She took up with a former lover but MacNeill went to get her back. He left the Catholic Church and at a time when the church had banned parties his son made sure he held them to spite the church and the priest. The story concludes that Lady MacNeill left Ciosmal [] and went to Lag fhliodh, near Doirlin at Tangasdal [Caisteal Chiosmuil/Kisimul Castle, Lag Fhliodh, Doirlinn and Tangisdale all Barraigh/Isle of Barra], where 'the women would come with the fish' [as payment for rent]. The text has been scored through in ink and written transversely across part of the text is 'B[ook] 2 p[age] [-] Tra[nscribed] 17 June [18]69 A[lexander] A[rchibald] C[armichael]'. The text contains a number of amendments in pencil.

Dates

  • 21 May 1869

Language of Materials

Gaelic English

Conditions Governing Access

This material is unrestricted.

Extent

From the Series: 64 folios ; 17 x 20.3 cm

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