Scope and Contents Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing the stories 'Rocabarrai' and 'Cugarbhad'; some songs and song fragments; customs relating to religious festivals, particularly on the Isle of Barra; stories about the MacNeil of Barra; stories and archaeological notes on Castle Beagram [Caisteal Bheagram, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist]; cattle charms and stories about the Lochlannaich [Vikings]. As well as archaeological notes on chapels and cemeteries the majority of the notebook...

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Song entitled 'Duan an Domhnaich' [Hymn of the Sunday] collected from John Pearson, cottar, Ceanntangabhal/Kentangaval, Barraigh/Isle of Barra beginning 'Domhnach neamhai neul nan gradh mo chri am chombarst saor'. The note preceding the song reads 'His great grandfather bro[ugh]t from Ireland where he had been at school'. Text has been scored through in ink as if transcribed elsewhere.

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Song entitled 'Gillean Gealu' [Baby Boy] collected from Iain Pearson [John MacPherson], cottar, Ceantangbhal, Barraidh [Ceanntangabhal/Kentangaval, Barraigh/Barra] beginning 'Giullan gealu gealu gealu, Giullan gealu tiondaigh a nall'. There are annotations to the song including an English translation of the third verse and a note about the 'Ailpeinich' and 'Macinnons'. Carmichael notes 'Copy of this sent to Mrs Rhys London for her collection of lullabys of all counties.'

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Song entitled 'Oran Sith' [Fairy Song] collected from John Pearson [or John MacPherson], Ceanntangabhal/Kentangaval, Barraigh/Isle of Barra, beginning 'M'fheadan us m eoin us m uighean, Mo leanaban beag ban m bru'. The song is composed of eight lines and has been scored through in ink. The title has been written a second time in ink and there is one annotation.

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Tuirream Torraidh' collected from Iain Pearson [John MacPherson, cottar, Ceanntangabhal/Kentangaval, Barraigh/Isle of Barra] beginning 'S grad a fhuair [th]u m bas, A ghrai[dh] cha ruige tu le[a]s'. An accompanying note states that 'bean thuiream' was a woman whose duty it was to 'sing the tuiream after the coffin & striking the coffin with her hands like a drum. All the man's virtues were sung out & his geanaology (sic) back to Noah praised.' Song has been scored...

Scope and Contents Transcription notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing mainly Fenian songs and cattle charms. Most of the charms relate to cattle and working in the dairy and so are recited for the protection and healing of cattle, although there are some charms for protecting and healing people as well. A number of the charms include the use of medicinal plants, for which there is additional vocabulary. Carmichael also includes charms and customs for predicting marriage partners. Almost all of...