Criogal Cridhe

 CRIOGAL CRIDHE (Glenlyon Lament). Scottish, Slow Air (4/4 time). G Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). One part (Martin): AB (Neil). Martin (2002) says it is a popular Gaelic song and air. After the hanging of Macgregor of Glenstrae by the Campbell of Glenorchy at Taymouth Castle in 1570, his widow composed this lament. Neil (1991) relates the sad fate of the once strong and honorable Clan MacGregor, the traditional enemies of the Campbells, who went into decline before the beginning of the 17th century. By the early 1600's the MacGregors were nearly landless and most of their members had scattered to the estates of others, notably their old enemies the Campbells, and the Menzies. Desperate, individuals in the clan formed themselves into marauding, lawless bands and became freebooters, finding haven in hiding places of Lannoch Moor. In 1602 they managed to annihilate the Colquhouns at the battle of Glenfruin (which became known as the 'Slaughter of Lennox') but for the next twenty-five years they themselves were hounded, repressed and nearly exterminated by the vengeful government and personage of King James VI, who only relented in 1627, when a new chief was able to bring the clansmen under his authority and exercise the peace. Printed sources: Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; p. 63. Neil (The Scots Fiddle), 1991; No. 152, p. 195.

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