Eriskay Love Lilt
The "Eriskay Love Lilt" is a Scottish folk song associated with the island of Eriskay in Outer Hebrides of Scotland.[1] The chorus of the song features lyrics in Scottish Gaelic. The modern anglicized art song version was adapted by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser from the lament for unrequited love Gràdh Geal Mo Chridhe,[2][3] collected during her visits to Eriskay with the help of poet Allan MacDonald, and published in the first volume of Songs of the Hebrides in 1909.[4][5] Popular versions have been recorded by the Glasgow Orpheus Choir with Hugh S. Roberton, The Corries, Judith Durham and The Seekers, and Paul Robeson.[6]
Lyrics
Popular renditions of the song usually contain a variation of the following verses:
Vair me oro van o
Vair me oro van ee
Vair me oru o ho
Sad am I without thee
When I'm lonely dear white heart
Black the night or wild the sea
By love's light my foot finds
The old pathway to thee
Vair me oro van o
Vair me oro van ee
Vair me oru o ho
Sad am I without thee
Thou'rt the music of my heart
Harp of joy oh cruit mo chridh
Moon of guidance by night
Strength and light thou'rt to me
References
- ^ MacKillop, James (2024-01-04). Highlanders: Unlocking Identity Through History. McFarland. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-4766-9312-5. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ^ Gràdh Geal Mo Chridhe', sung by Calum Johnston, Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches.
- ^ Bheir mi o / Gràdh Geal Mo Chridh', Omniglot
- ^ "Marjory Kennedy-Fraser". www.docs.is.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ Kennedy-Fraser, Marjory (August 11, 1921). "Ten selected songs of the Hebrides : from vols. I, II and III, for unison singing in schools". London : Boosey & Co. Ltd. – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Song: An Eriskay Love Lilt written by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2024-11-23.