Fear a' Bhàta (translated The boatman) is a Scots Gaelic song from the late 19th century, written by Sìne NicFhionnlaigh (Jean Finlayson) of Tong who was courting a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath. The song captures the emotions that she endured during their courtship. The part of the story that is rarely told is that they were married not long after she composed the song
Fhir a' bhàta, na hóro eile Fhir a' bhàta, na hóro eile Fhir a' bhàta, na hóro eile Mo shoraidh slàn leat 's gach àit' an déid thu 'S tric mi sealltainn on chnoc as àirde Dh'fheuch am faic mi fear a' bhàta An tig thu 'n-diugh na 'n tig thu màireach 'S mar tig thu idir gur truagh a tha mi Tha mo chridhe-sa briste brùite 'S tric na deòir a ruith o m' shùilean An tig thu nochd na 'm bi mo dhùil riut Na 'n dùin mi 'n doras le osna thùrsaich? 'S tric mi faighneachd de luchd nam bàta Am fac' iad thu na 'm bheil thu sàbhailt Ach 's ann a tha gach aon dhiubh 'g ràitinn Gur gòrach mise ma thug mi gràdh dhut Gheall mo leannan dhomh gùn dhen t-sìoda Gheall e siud agus breacan rìomhach Fàinn' òir anns am faicinn ìomhaigh Ach 's eagal leam gun dèan e dìochuimhn' Ged a thuirt iad gun robh thu aotrom Cha do lughdaich siud mo ghaol ort Bidh tu m' aisling anns an oidhche Is anns a' mhadainn bidh mi 'gad fhaighneachd Thug mi gaol dhut 's chan fhaod mi àicheadh Cha ghaol bliadhna 's cha ghaol ràithe Ach gaol a thòisich nuair bha mi 'm phàiste 'S nach searg a chaoidh gus an claoidh am bàs mi Tha mo chàirdean gu tric ag innseadh Gum feum mi d' aogas a leig' air dìochuimhn' Ach tha 'n comhairle dhomh cho dìomhain 'S bi tilleadh mara 's i toirt lìonaidh Bidh mi tuille tùrsach deurach Mar eala bhàn 's i an dèidh a reubadh Guileag bàis aic' air lochan feurach Is càch gu lèir an dèidh a trèigeadh
English translation Chorus (after each verse): Oh my boatman, na hóro eile Oh my boatman, na hóro eile Oh my boatman, na hóro eile My farewell to you wherever you go I often look from the highest hill that I might see, oh boatman Will you come tonight, or will you come tomorrow Oh sorry will I be if you do not come at all My heart is broken, bruised Often tears are running down from my eyes Will you come tonight, or will I wait up for you Or close the door with a sad sigh? I often ask of the boatmen If they have seen you, if you are safe But they all tell me That I was foolish if I gave you love. My darling promised me a gown of silk That and a fine plait A golden ring in which I'd see a likeness But I fear that he shall forget. Although they said you were flighty That did not lessen my love for you You are in my dreams at night And in the morning I ask for you. I gave you love and cannot deny It's not love that lasts a year or a season But a love that began when I was a child And that will not wither until death do take me. My friends say often That I must forget your image But their counsel is as unfathomable to me As is the returning tide. I am all too sad and tearful Like a white swan that has been torn Sounding her death-call on a small grassy loch Having been forsaken by all.