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Griogal Crìdhe

[ Roud - ; Mudcat 712 ; Mòr Chaimbeul]

Griogal Crìdhe (literally “Gregor of the Heart”, or “Beloved Gregor”) is a traditional Scottish lament and lullaby that was composed in Gaelic by Mòr Chaimbeul (Marion Campbell), the widow of Griogair Ruadh Mac Griogair (Gregor the Red MacGregor) (1541–1570), the chief of the Clan MacGregor of Glen Strae, who was executed at Taymouth Castle, Perthshire, on April 7, 1570.

Seasaidh NicCoinnich (Jessie MacKenzie) sang Griogal Crìdhe in a January 1956 School of Scottish Studies Archive recording (SA1956/22). This track was included in 2001 on the Greentrax anthology Clo Dubh Clo Donn (Scottish Tradition 18).

Isabel Sutherland sang Griogal Crodhe in 1966 on her Topic album Vagrant Songs of Scotland. She noted:

McGregor was killed in battle and his wife was lamenting with his head on her lap, “Great my grief is great … All the others have their apples (their husbands) … I have none … I would rather live in a cave in the north than in a granite castle in the south without him … Great my grief is great.”

Kitty McLeod from whom I learned this said it was supposed to be a lament for McGregor of Glen Lyons. It is my favourite Gaelic lament.

Mac-Talla sang Griogal Crìdhe (Beloved Gregor) in 1994 on their Temple album Mairidh Gaol Is Ceol. This track was included in 2002 on the World Music Network anthology The Rough Guide to Scottish Folk.

Margaret Bennett, Elspeth Cowie, Ray Fisher, Mackenzie, Ishbel MacAskill, Mairi MacInnes, Maggie MacInnes, Sheila Stewart, Sheena Wellington, Annie Grace, Corrina Hewat, Anna Murray, Karine Polwart and Emily Smith sang Griogal Crìdhe in 2002 on the “Scotland’s Queen of Songs” tour. This recording was included in 2004 on the Greentrax tour album, Scottish Women.

Kaela Rowan with Dayam Khan Manganiyar sang Griogal Crìdhe in 2016 on her album The Fruited Thorn. This track was also included in 2017 on the Scottish anthology Dorsan Fosgailte / Doors Open.

Band of Burns sang Griogal Cridhe (Beloved Gregor) live on 29 January 2017 at Union Chapel, London. A recording of this concert was released in January 2018 on their album Live From the Union Chapel.

Burd Ellen sang Griogal Cridhe on a May 2020 download single. She noted:

This tragic lament was written by Mòr Chaimbeul following the execution of her husband in 1570. She tells of finding his severed head on a stake in the ground. Gregor was 29 at the time of his death, we can only assume she was younger still. It’s a powerful piece of poetry detailing the macro and microscopic swirl of her grief and rage.

Charlie Grey and Joseph Peach played the tune of Griogal Crìdhe in 2021 on their Braw Sailin’ album Spiorachas - A High Place.

Kim Carnie sang Griogal Crìdhe on Mànran’s 2021 album Ùrar. They noted:

This lament dates back to around 1570 and is attributed to Mòr nighean Dhonnchaidh, who’s husband Griogair Ruadh, chief of the MacGregors of Glen Strae, was beheaded by Cailean Liath, chief of the Glenorchy Campbells, after being captured by Mòr’s own father, Duncan Campbell of Glenlyon. The song, in the form of a lullaby, recalls happier times together but mourns the pain of witnessing her love’s execution.

Lyrics

Seasaidh NicCoinnich sings Griogal Crìdhe

Nam faiceadh tu Griogal Crìdhe
’S e na shuidh’ air tom
Gaol nam bean thu, gràdh nan nighean
’S currac beag ma cheann.

Chorus (after each verse):
O bà bà mo leanabh,
Bà mo leanabh, bà,
Is chan eìl duìne chì mo leanabh
Nach canadh “Bà-bà”.

’S iomadh oidhche fhliuch is fhrasach
Oidhche nan seachd sian
A thug an Griogal dhòmh-sa leabaidh
Gus cadal fo dhion.

Bha mi ’n oidhch’ ud na mo sheasamh
’N doras an Tùir Bhàin
’S a’ chlach a b’ àird’ a bh’ air a’ bhalla
’S i b’ fhaisg’ air an làr.

Ged tha mi gun ùbhlan agam
Tha ùbhlan aig càch,
’S ann tha m’ ubhal-sa cùbhraidh caineal
C˚ul a chinn ri l˚ar.

Kaela Rowan sings Griogal Crìdhe

’S iomadh oidhche fhliuch is thioram
Sìde nan seachd sian
Gheibheadh Griogal dhòmhsa creagan
Ris an gabhainn dìon

Dhìrich mi dhan t-seòmar mhullaich
’S theirinn mi ’n taigh-làir
’S cha d’ fhuair mise Griogal cridhe
Na shuidhe mun chlàr

Chorus
Òbhan, òbhan, òbhan i ri, òbhan i ri ò,
Òbhan, òbhan, òbhan i ri,
’S mòr mo mhulad, ’s mòr

Eudail mhòir de shluagh an domhain
Dhòirt iad d’ fhuil an-dè
’S chuir iad do cheann air stob daraich
Tacan beag bhod chrè

Chan eil ùbhlan idir agam
’S ùbhlan uil’ aig càch
’S ann tha m’ ubhal cùbhraidh caineal,
’S cùl a chinn ri làr

Nuair bhios mnathan òg’ a’ bhaile
Nochd nan cadal sèimh
Sann bhios mis’ air bruaich do lice,
Bualadh mo dha làimh

(Chorus)