Local Songs and Poetry

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Postby Tosh » Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:20 pm

A few pieces on the loss of the Mhari (researched by Duncan Richie)

CREW OF THE “MHAIRI” CN 130

Lost the 8th March 1911.
On passage Carradale to Campbeltown



Sleep on and take your rest,
The storms of life are o'er,
An anchorage ye now have found
Upon that blessed shore.

Anchored within the vale,
No more ye heed the rising gale;
No more ye dread the wild tide race,
For now you see your Pilot's face.

No more ye dread death's dark lee shore,
For Christ your Captain sails before;
The stormy tempest now is past,
The heavenly harbour gained at last.

We must not fret though bowed with grief
When God's own hand takes in a reef,
But take him as our guiding star
Till anchored safe beyond the bar.

John M. Campbell
Laird of Saddell.


In Memory of the
C R E W OF THE "M H A I R I” CN 130
Lost on passage Carradale to Campbeltown 8th March 1911.


We do not know why thus it was
That these brave men were ta'en,
But this we know, our loss though great,
Is their eternal gain.

For well nigh forty-seven years
Brave Watty sailed the deep,
Met many a storm and many a squall,
Yet safely passed through all.

But now with one tremendous squall,
No word or warning to the crew,
The Mhairi reeled, the waters rushed,
The angry sea engulfed the crew.

Not one was left to tell the tale,
No earthy friend to render aid ;
But Christ was there, He took the helm,
He steered the bark to Canaan's shore.

Well may it now be truly said
Of that brave noble crew,
They were lovely and pleasant in their lives,
And in death they were not divided.

The smack can come, the smack can go,
No more on pier will Watty shout ;
No more to the burn he'll turn his steps
To catch a rope when it's thrown out.

Dugie, Johnnie, and Walt so loving and true,
Cut off in their youth as a bud from the tree,
No more 'mongst their chums their fair forms we'll see,
They have sailed to the land where there is no sea.

Oh, cruel, treacherous sea, why thus was it
That thou didst open thy mouth so wide ;
After all 'tis but the casket thou canst keep,
Our dear ones' spirits have crossed the Jordan wide.

Crossed to the land where there is no sea,
Crossed to the land where storms are unknown,
Crossed to the land where the crown is won,
Crossed to the Saviour, and claimed for his own.

Mrs Gilbert McIntosh, Carradale

THE LOSS OF THE SKIFF “ MHAIRI ” CN 130
No eye beheld them when they sank out there so near the shore
No human ear their cries had heard amidst the tempest’s roar ;
With swift, relentless force it came, that squall from o’er the deep,
And the toll was ta’en of four brave lives who sleep their last long sleep

No warning note was sounded as the Mhairi left that day,
And o’er the sparkling water went bravely on her way,
And the hearts of those on board of her beat high with hope once more
That they’d reap a shining harvest ere again they reached the shore.

But now for those brave fishermen their day of toil is done,
For them the strife is ended, for them the battle won ;
But bleeding hearts are mourning in the houses by the shore
For dearly loved ones, lost to them, who will return no more.

What words of ours can comfort them that are so sore bereft ?
‘Tis God alone can heal the wounds that sorrow’s load has left ;
But our hearts are stirred within us and our tears are freely shed
For the widow and the orphans, and for all who mourn their dead.

Nor will they be forgotten soon, for well-beloved were they
By the folk around sweet Carradale, who long will mourn that day
When the fishing skiff, the Mhairi, sank out in Kilbrannan Sound,
And their friends, the McIntoshs, by a sudden squall were drowned.
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Postby general jack o'niell » Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:32 pm

heard that sung as a child can't remember the tune?
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Postby Tosh » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:31 am

Which one Gen?
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Postby general jack o'niell » Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:38 am

the first one i think?
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Postby bill » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:41 pm

James McMurchy....poem about the Campbeltown to Machrihanish railway

Like voices of springtime to the glen
like summer to the vale,
so is the news to Campbeltown
that I'm just gaun to tell;
For gloomy winter bleak and cold,
nae mair we'll need tae fear,
we'll get our fuel cheap and good
brought by the "Pioneer".


Her coals will bless the poorest hame,
and cheer the humblest hearth,
although in other parts they're dear,
no more we'll dread their dearth.
The coals that come frae other lands
let them be cheap or dear'
we'll rather hae oor hielan' coals
brought by the "Pioneer".
Last edited by bill on Sun Aug 12, 2007 10:57 am, edited 2 times in total.
I know my Summer'll never come
I know I'll cry until my dying day has come
Let the Winter roll along
I've got nothing left but song
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Postby bill » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:50 pm

James McMurchy........poem about the Campbeltown to Machrihanish railway


Oh!Have you heard the news my frien'?
about this company I mean
They say they're going to lay a line
and ca't the Hielan' Railway.
To Belfast trip no more we'll go,
nor yet to see Ayr cattle show,
for better sport we'll have you know,
upon our Hielan' Railway.

Excursions daily you will see
from the salt pans unto the quay,
then blythe and merry we shall be
when seated on the railway.
The Campbeltonians when they please
may sit and sail in't at their ease,
and only pay a few bawbees
for a hurl upon the railway.
Last edited by bill on Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I know my Summer'll never come
I know I'll cry until my dying day has come
Let the Winter roll along
I've got nothing left but song
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Postby ionnsaigh » Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:29 am

Sunk as stone pluck suck duck
dragged drenched drowned
fish food fed -a falling fathom
a son disnae come hame
a ma cannae stop - the tears and sobs
a da stands stunned- silently sobbing
fur a boy that will never come hame
a sister screams screeches scratches
a brother bangs bolts blunders- his sad weary way
a lover weeps waves and hates the tide drowning in sadness
she sleeps the broken sleep and dreams the dream
nothing will comfort no hand no god nothing I have nothing
hurt hate the frick fish- tae sit an eat a costly dish.
O'Donnchadha
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Postby bill » Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:47 am

A Railway O' Oor Ain........by,C.M....dated,1906

The toon,ye'd hardly ken it noo,it looks so big an braw,
Richt prood they'd be tae see it,them that's been a while awa,
For wi' motor caurs,an a' sich like,we're up-tae-date,thats plain,
An noo tae cap it a' we've got a railway o'oor ain.

A railway a'oor ain,nae less,
A railway a'oor ain;
Gin ye've yer doots,jist come an' see't,
This railway o'oor ain.

Jist roon ayont the Auld Quay Heid,an' staunin' on the line,
Ye'll see some bonnie kerriges,a' pented up sae fine;
Noo step ye intae yin o' them,an a' yer cares'll vanish
Afore yer faur upon the road that runs tae Machrihanish.

An' whan yer on the railway wance,
Ye'll sune be on't agane,
O' man its gran!the very thocht,
We've a railway a' oor ain.

When the railway first wis spoken o' some folk wad hum an haw,
An' say tae yin anither it wad niver dae at a';
But noo its an accomplished fac' as ony yin can see,
They're jist as keen tae tak their hurl,as either you or me.

An' it's railway this,an railway that,
An' railway ower agane;
Ye'd think tae hear them blawin' noo
That the railway wis their ain.

Ye often hear o' folk gaun oot a jaunt tae the Saut Pans,
An' mony gether there,they say, frae faur aff foreign lands;
Then whit's tae hinner us at hame tae tak the gude o't tae,
Whan the railway runs maist frae the door tae Machrihanish bay.

An' we'll tak oor freens oot wi' us,
An' we'll a' gang back agane;
For it's easy come an' easy go
On this railway o'oor ain.

An' noo a' maun be stappin',I hae kep' ye faur ower lang.
Ye see I wis sae happy ower the subjec' o' ma sang;
An' whan tae them that's faur awa ye're writin' aince again,
Jist gie them a' the news ye can o'oor braw new railway train.

Then we'll wish gude luck tae Campbeltoon
An' may she iver gain
A routh o' blessings choice and sweet,
Frae this railway o' her ain.
I know my Summer'll never come
I know I'll cry until my dying day has come
Let the Winter roll along
I've got nothing left but song
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"Bastions Haze"

Postby FlyingDragon » Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:44 pm

"Bastions Haze"

Celestial waterfalls cascade down upon this earth.

I heard the bells toll in melancholy rings,
Broadcasting yet another sleeper's journey to forevers fold;
Two men gathered around me on a hillside pondering the Northern lights Kings.
Their crackling hue seemed to invite me to look closer still to its mosaic gold,
A house along the Campbeltown loch shared the view with us paroled;
Inside the cottage eyes of a beautiful lady seemed to sense our presence.
She looked into the void of the evening constellations northern skies hold,
As tears were shed for her brothers memories omnipresence;
A lone owl let out his mournful whoo whoo's soulless absence.


My mind saw the letters she had written with a list of reasons why,
Convincing the reader of the brilliant nature of life's planned array;
Too easy it seemed to me to find that holy grail in mere words supply.
Yet somehow I knew that that could only be the way,
For as the other two men glanced at disheveled stones decay;
Timeworn by ocean winds caressing their sculpted words meaning.
Plainly one could see a universal gleaning to this wonderful tournaments display,
This battle in Bastions haze was becoming clearer to my dancing souls weaning;
Mere words became a song in my hearts soul filling me with a new spirits intervening.


Uncovered to me was a wisdom that the ancients sought but few found worldwide,
A simple truth for one whose imperfect heart needed an intercessors loving rites;
The two men took my hand: one on each side.
I was caught up in the spirit to that City of living lights,
The Excalibur of legends was more than a sword: it was the words to eternal lifes invites;
This knight fell to his knees as he saw New Jerusalem's shining gates.
Before entering those golden portals I did one last thing for that lady along Campbeltown Lochs heights,
My angels presence sent a gentle breeze that opened a book in front of her that read my estates;
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever": in that final Daystars dictates.
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"Gloaming"

Postby FlyingDragon » Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:47 pm

Gloaming

Moments can taste like parched lips.


To me you are a summer breeze that washes over me each morning when I awake,
Taking this moment to say you are my sunlight of the Morning;
Thee Gloaming of my sunrise and sunset.
In retrospect I know that my world is facets of you,
From the sound of your laughter at daybreak as the world is pitched for battle;
Selfishly you forsake any vesper to set our house in order.
The colors of your moods are always pure red white and blue,
Oh I miss you its true as I saw the geese so few;
They flew to that lake we often shared basking in our declared loves baring.


Daring history to record an enigma beyond Hopes diamond,
Does natures creatures see a jewel forever shining oh so crystal clear;
History can't record the mystery of your curved forms glare.
Romes ancient sages would be amazed at your flawless legs,
Kegs of fine oil and wine would be left at our altar;
Least I falter daughter of Eve.
Is there anywhere you haven't touched with your gems,
Condemning them to the eternal longing of wanting you?
Wrapping around your knowledge of silk and honeys flew.

That Temple of Aphrodite bid adieu to their goddess because of you,
Theirs was an insurrection need I mention of the pining kind;
Woe betide that man that touches you.
Weaving a legend of your treasure even at Kings Solomon mines,
The Queen of Sheba longed to find your graces hands;
Soft fingers designed to caress their man with unimaginable ecstasy.
Yes you are the epidamy of loves contagion,
Emperor Tragan saw your fine cuts of feminine charms;
He knew the Jewel of the Nile was found on Campbeltown's road;
Bestowed to me with abundant romance was that enchanted bed shaped in a jeweled hearts Geode.
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Postby 4th gen Suthen' » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:04 pm

As I was walking doon the rodd
I seen a coo
A bul bi god

As I was walking doon the rodd
I seen a coo
A bul bi god

As I was walking doon the rodd
I seen a bloody bul

:oops: mind that one emdy?
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"Tree Rings"

Postby FlyingDragon » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:10 pm

Sometimes the third time is a charm.

Trees grow in many places under textured skies,
They walk as man along the banks of life's muddy clay;
Sometimes sheltering the orphans along a green green glen.
Saw three new roots grow in along a withering branch,
They dance in trinity as three were joined as one;
But bright bright sunlight caused one tree to shy away.
While the others ran on to learn a new songs sway.
Why oh Why I pray can't you see earths majesty;
For a pageantry exists momentary in the mists.


Reclined seven times you fall: lost among that chestnut hell,
A bitter pill did not dispel the lingering feeling that life was swell;
Saw a passing of the reigns as one kingdom fell after the others broken chain.
I see you as a discouraged seed looking for that soils planting,
So many grafting have been taken on a rejection of historical lamenting;
A remnant always finds the way to that fertile valley along that fiords dark dark day.
Narrow paths get in the way as boisterous voices charge to cut your fronds,
All around in mysterious passages a cryptic pattern reminds you of that forest;
Where love plays gently on the velvet breeze of her caressing needs.


Gently teasing your pain away with bright kisses that come without reward,
The moons romantic shadow reminds your bark like skin to grow in submission to her tides fling;
For on a bright hot hot glen she lives among the love that’s ready to mend that heart when broken.
Weaving a dance along muddy banks that sooths the savage beast in all that mankinds spoken,
For a lovers moon arises to hypnotize the soft soft flesh that supports another feminine trunk;
Swaying gently in your arms as her silky hair blows in gentle branches to engulf your senses.
That once callous heart born from protective fear of a woodsman's axe has allowed her to take your trees spunk,
Building a home among the glowmon along that seaside Eden;
Now she has given you a reason to arrest the season of your discontent.
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Local Songs and Poetry

Postby chuckiebay » Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:12 pm

My father heard this song in the bothy at Kilbrannan Farm Carradale in the first quarter of the last century and probably sung by workers from the east coast. My father sang it to his grandchildren. Is anyone else familiar with it?


Oh there was an old man and he had a wooden leg
He had no tobacco nor tobacco could he beg
And another old man as fly as a fox
He had tobacco in his own tobacco box

Said the first old man will you give me a chew
Said the second old man I'll be foolish if I do
You save your money as I save my socks
And you'll have tobacco in your own tobacco box.
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Wooden Leg

Postby FlyingDragon » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:29 pm

You know I used to hear Carolines granny sing that song to my daughter when she was a young. You are the first person i have seen since that knows that one.
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Postby bill » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:52 pm

4th gen Suthen' wrote:As I was walking doon the rodd
I seen a coo
A bul bi god

As I was walking doon the rodd
I seen a coo
A bul bi god

As I was walking doon the rodd
I seen a bloody bul

:oops: mind that one emdy?


Would that be Katie Birdies coo,the wan the General wus oan aboot a few months back??????
I know my Summer'll never come
I know I'll cry until my dying day has come
Let the Winter roll along
I've got nothing left but song
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