Cha b'e sneachda 's an reothadh ò thuath Cha b'e 'n crannadh geur fuar ò 'n ear Cha b'e 'n t-uisge 's gaillionn ò 'n iar Ach an galar a bhlian ò 'n deas Blàth, duileach, stoc agus freumh Cànan mo threubh 's mo shluagh
Sèist: Chorus (after each verse): Thig thugainn, thig cò' ruinn gu siar Gus an cluinn sinn ann cànan nan Gàidheal Thig thugainn, thig cò' ruinn gu siar Gus an cluinn sinn ann cànan nan Gàidheal
Bheir anuas dhuinn na coinnleirean òr 'S ann annt càraibh na coinnlean geal cèir Lasaibh suas iad an seòmar a' bhròin Taigh aire seann chànan a' Ghàidheil 'Se siud ò chionn fhad' thuirt an nàmh Ach fhathast tha beò Cànan nan Gàidheal
Ged theich i le beath' às na glinn Ged 's gann an diugh chluinnear i nas mò O Dhùthaich Mhic Aoidh fada tuath Gu ruig thu Druim Uachdar nam bò Gidheadh, dhith na h-Eileanan Siar Biodh claidheamh is sgiath ud 'n ur dòrn
Ged nach cluinnear anis i 'san dùn No 'n talla nan cliar is nan corn Ged tha meòir Chloinn 'ic Criomain gun lùths O 'n tric fheasgar ciùin dhòirteadh ceòl Gidheadh, anns ha h-Eileanan Siar 'S i fhathast ann, ciad chàinnt an t-slòigh
It wasn't the snow of frost from the north It wasn't the cold snap from the east It wasn't the rain or gale from the west But the disease which has blanched from the south The blossom, foliage, stem and roots Of the language of my race and people
Chorus: Come along and join us in the west So that we will hear the language of the Gael Come along and join us in the west So that we will hear the language of the Gael
Fetch down the golden chandeliers And set the white wax candles in them Light them up in the chamber of sorrow The wake house of the old Gaelic language That's what the enemy said a long time ago But the Gaelic language still lives
Although she has retreated from the glens Though one hears her so seldom now From the Mackay far in the north Down to Drumochter of the cattle But even so, we need to have the sword and shield In our fists in the Western Isles
Although it is no longer heard in the castle Nor in the hall of bards and drinking cups Though the fingers of the MacCrimmons lie without strength Which once played such splendid music of an evening She's even under threat in the Isles Though it's still the first language of the people