Welcome to the site which showcases the wider VENT project from celebrated fiddle player Laura Wilkie. Released on 7th June 2024, Laura's album explores feelings of belonging within Gaelic traditions. Having heard and learnt Gaelic songs with Scottish Gaelic singer Maggie MacDonald when Wilkie was a teenager, this album illustrates Wilkie's journey gaining knowledge and stories through Rona Lightfoot and delving into the source recordings of Gaelic songs.
This site allows you to explore the full depth and range of Laura Wilkie's phenomenal album, VENT. Follow the links to hear the original source recordings and find out more at www.tobarandualchais.co.uk
I am Sad in the Braes of the Glen
'S muladach mi'm Bràigh a 'Ghlinne
"Sorrowful am I today at the head of the glen." In the opening lines of this song, the poetess regrets that the cattle are going to be moved. The remaining lines tell how she went out without shoes, a coat or a plaid. She tells the listener of how she arrived at a big house, where young men were sitting in comfort, drinking wine from goblets.
"Playing this song and following the gaps between the verses makes for very close listening with other musicians and singers. To me [Laura], it is the feeling of a ‘cry’ building up in your chest, making its way up to your throat, then into your face and finally the release through tears."
Lift Up My Love
Hogaibh Ò Mo Ghaoil a Chruinneig or Turas Dhomhsa Chun Na Galldachd - Hogaibh
“O My Love Is The Lass” / “My Love is The Girl” or “A Trip For Me to the Lowlands.” This tells the story of a man on a journey as he spends twenty guineas he had borrowed. The man mentions going on a boat and heading to Mull and buying tall shoes for a girl to keep her heels dry.
I'm Not Alone
Chan Eil Mi gun Nì M’Aire
“I am not without anything on my mind.” This song has lots of different sections. The Narrator speaks highly of The Macleods of Harris and Mac'icAilein (MacAllan), even though he banished her from the land. She criticises Nica Mhanaich (Monk), the bard from Barra. The theme of the song proceeds to change, even mentioning going to Mull in a boat.
Mermaid
'S Mise Chunnaic An-diugh An T-Iongnadh
“Today I saw a wonder.” The composer of this waulking song describes seeing a girl who seems to be a mermaid or seal woman, and swims away through the straits.
A New Story
Dhìrich Mi Suas A'Bheinn Ghruamach / Tha Sgeul Ùr air tighinn a bhaile
The first song, Dhìrich Mi Suas A'Bheinn Ghruamach, is "I ascended the Bleak Mountain." A woman is climbing the gloomy/bleak mountain, and she tells the listener of how sad she is since her lover has abandoned her. She knows that he left her because of her lack of wealth. She mentions him being an excellent hunter.
The second song, Tha Sgeul Ùr air tighinn a bhaile, is "a new tale has come from the village." The man who wrote the song has heard that his lover Sine is in love with another man. He is reminiscing about her and the happy days he spent with her. Some other people use the title ‘Tha Sgeul Ùr air tighinn don bhaile’, which would translate to "a new tale has come to town".
A Man Ran Off
‘S anmoch a Chunna Mi a-raoir / Latha Siubhal Beinne Dhomh
“It was late last night I saw.” It begins with lines which describe a hunter seen in the glen. In the following section, a woman describes a man she loves. He would often secretly woo another man's wife!
Latha Siubhal Beinne Dhomh - “A day travelling the mountain for me.” A ‘clapping song’ about a man who met a pretty girl gathering flowers and asked her for a kiss. She rejected him and told him to go away as he was nothing but a peasant. She went on to tell him how the people in her house were very refined.
Albatross
Cha d’Fhuair Mi A-Raoir Cadal
"I didn’t get sleep last night." In this song, the subject begins by singing about missing her love and describes him as a calm knowledgeable man. She then wishes welcome and a hundred farewells to Mairi, singing about her beauty.
The Sailor Has Good Chat
O 'S E MO RÙN AM MARAICH
"O the sailor is my love / my beloved." A love song and sea song relating a voyage down the west coast of Scotland, from Greenock down to the Isle of Man, avoiding the Corryvreckan whirlpool and heading for Barra.
Try
Not a Gàidhlig song! Laura wrote this to vent her worries, fears and frustrations with outdated attitudes/damaging patriarchal ideas about ‘strength’ and ‘dignity', particularly surrounding ill-health.
