Mo Ghruagach Dhonn - Julie Fowlis

Mo Ghruagach Dhonn sung by Julie Fowlis

Lovely, clear and sweet, Julie's voice is just beautiful. I enjoy listening to her sing this ancient Gaelic love song about a man's search.

Julie says of the song,

"This is a North Uist love song which I heard for the first time in the house of Kate-Ann MacLellan in Hùna, North Uist (Scotland)."

Julie Fowlis, Song: Mo Ghruagach Dhonn , Album: Cuilidh  (2007), Label: SPIT & POLISH  Official website: www.juliefowlis.com

Mo Ghruagach Dhonn (My Brown-haired Lass) Gaelic lyrics in English:

Hi ho ro, my brown-haired lass,
whose beauty becomes more beguiling.
The deep love I have for you
has left me sorely wounded.

Your letter arrived on Tuesday
Telling of what was to be.
It told that your ship would arrive
in Glasgow without delay.
When I read this,
I immediately headed for the Broomielaw.
I saw the ship carrying the jewel,
the maiden, approach.

When I held out my hand
you turned  with a slight smile and
uttered a couple of words
which left me sleepless many nights

You have the loveliest hair,
neither black, nor red nor fair,
but the colour of the most beautiful gold,
yellow, braided and curled. 

I would write for you with a pen.
I would cultivate  for you with a plough.
I would captain a ship for you,
brown haired lass of the deceiving eyes.

You are skilled at working wool
and at writing on blank paper.
But if you have gone overseas, to Australia,
goodbye to you.

I will no longer be in despair.
I’ll grab a new one by the hand.
Solomon, the wisest man who lived,
had many sweethearts

Julie Fowlis born 1979 in North Uist, an island in the Outer Hebrides Scotland is a folk singer instrumentalist who sings primarily in Gaelic. She won the Horizon award at the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and Folk Singer of The Year at the 2008 awards.

~Bonnee

Kala - Yann Tiersen

Kala performed by Yann Tiersen, vocals by Liz Fraser

Lovely, light filled and sweet. Takes you on a journey without end, to places and places and places. Flowing, moving. Feels like the journey of the Soul through lifetimes... ever growing, ever experiencing. Just beautiful, thanks Yann and Liz for the moving journey.

Yann Tiersen, Song Kala, Album: Les Retrouvailles (2005), Label: Virgin. Les Retrouvailles includes a DVD with a short film: "La Traversée" directed by Aurélie du Boys. Website: www.yanntiersen.com. I was unable to find the lyrics to Kala.

Yann Tiersen (Guillaume Yann Tiersen) born June 23, 1970 in Brittany, France is an internationally known musician and composer. He is best known for composing the score to Amélie a movie directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. He most often creatively performs utilizing the piano, violin and accordion but also plays the guitar, melodica, xylophone, toy piano, ondes martenot, harpsichord, typewriter and more.

Elizabeth Fraser (Elizabeth Davidson Fraser) born August 29, 1963 in Grangemouth, Scotland is best known as the lead singer for Cocteau Twins'. She has also collaborated with numerous artists including Felt, Dif Juz, Orbital, Ian McCulloch and others. Her website is www.elizabethfraser.com is currently under construction.

~Bonnee

Simple Soul - Eddi Reader

'Simple Soul' sung by Eddi Reader

Just lovely!  A song that talks about simplicity, living and loving simply and seeing the best in all. I really like the verse, 'But it only takes a child to see, The diamonds in the coal.' Seeing the beauty, wonder and value in everything... in each other. There is a Sanskrit word 'Namaste' which in essence means 'I recognize, honor and bow to you as Master/Soul'. At our core we are all Masters or diamonds... clear, beautiful and sparkling. We simply are, know, are connected to everything and are in the present moment. Imagine if everyone lived this... life from Soul or enlightenment. Sweet easy uncomplicated life, living fully with precious love, incredible awe, prosperity and peace.  Thanks for the reminder Eddi!

Eddi Reader, Song: Simple Soul, Album:  Simple Soul (2001), Label: Compass Records. Website: www.eddireader.co.uk

Lyrics to 'Simple Soul'

I'd lift my head with each sunrise
If I had a simple soul
When I was weary I'd close my eyes
If I had a simple soul
Not too complicated to shiver when I'm cold
I'd make my home where I am bound
If I had a simple soul, simple soul
I say my prayers and hope to God
And I know he will know
I will break my daily bread
When hunger starts to grow
It doesn't have to be that hard
If it hurts you let it go
What you see is what you are
If you've got a simple soul, simple soul
It might take an alchemist
To turn your dust to gold
But it only takes a child to see
The diamonds in the coal
It's not so easy when a habit takes a hold
I never knew it would be so hard
To keep my simple soul, simple soul

Eddi Reader was born Sadenia Edna Reader in Glasgow, Scotland August 28, 1959. Eddi is a singer/songwriter who worked with the band Fairground Attraction and now has a successful solo career.

~Bonnee