An Tuil = The Flood Quotes

“Nuair a bhagras an nàmhaid,
Air a' Ghàidheal a dh'éighear -

Bidh gach morair is iarla
Guidhe dian leibh gu éirigh,

Bidh sibh measail aig diùcan
'S bheir an Crùn a chuid fhéin dhuibh;

Ach nuair cheanglar an t-sith leibh
Cha bhi cuimhn' air bhur feum dhaibh,

Cha bhi cuimhn' air mar smàladh
Thar sàl do thìr chéin sibh,

Mar chaidh fearann a dhiùltadh
'S mar a chum iad na féidh bhuaibh,

Mar a chu iad an t-iasg bhuaibh
Agus ianlaith nan speuran.


When the enemy threaten,
It's the Gael who is called -

Each earl and each lord
Implores you to rise,

Dukes show you respect
And the Crown gives you its share;

But when peace is secured by you
They'll forget how you served them,

They'll forget you were banished
Far over the sea,

And how land was refused
And they forbade you the deer,

And forbade you the fish
And the birds of the air.


- Ruairidh MacAoidh ”
― Ronald Black, An Tuil = The Flood: Anthology of 20th-Century Scottish Gaelic Verse