Nuair chruinnicheas an òigridh Gu mire ’s gu sòlas, Bidh mise nam ònar An seòmar gun ghleus, A’ cuimhneachadh còmhradh An fhleasgaich a leòn mi, ’S an gaol thug mi òg do Mo Dhòmhnallan fhèin.
Bidh m’ athair ’s mo mhàthair Ri gearain ’s ri cràmhan, A’ cantainn nach fheàrr mi Na pàiste gun chèill, Mo ghaol thoirt a dh’òigfhear Bhios daonnan a’ seòladh ’S a sgaoileas a stòras Gun ghò ris gach tè.
Nuair thachradh an còmhlan Sa chlachan Didòmhnaich, Nam measg cha robh òigfhear Cho còmhnard na cheum; Cho beusail na chòmhradh, Cho fearail na dhòighean Bhiodh sùil aig gach òigh air Mo Dhòmhnallan fhèin.
Tha dualagan bòidheach Dhed chuailean nam phòca, Do dhealbh air a còmhdach Le òr ann an cèis; Do shùilean cho beò leam, Do ghruaidh mar na ròsan, Ag ùrachadh dhòmhsa Mo Dhòmhnallan fhèin.
Tha bliadhn’ agus còrr bhon A thriall e o eòlas, ’S tha ìomhaigh cho beò leam ’S ged sheòladh e ’n dè; Cha ghèill mi do dh’òigfhear ’S cha chèill mi na bòidean No ’n gaol a thug mi òg do Mo Dhòmhnallan fhèin.
My Own Donald
When the young gather For sport and play, I will be alone In a room without music, Remembering conversations With the lad who caused me pain, And the love I gave young to My own Donald.
My father and mother Complain and moan: They say I am no better Than a foolish child To have given my love to a young man Who is always at sea And freely dispenses gifts To every girl.
When the company used to meet In the village on Sunday, Among them there was no young man As surefooted, Nor as well spoken And manly in his ways All the young girls admire My own Donald.
I have beautiful locks Of your hair in my pocket, Your photograph is enclosed In a gold frame; Your eyes are alive to me, Your cheeks are like roses, Reminding me of My own Donald.
It’s a year and more Since he left home, And his face is as alive to me As if he had sailed yesterday; I won’t yield to any young man And I won’t conceal the promise That I gave when young to My own Donald.