Annotation:Eilidh

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EILIDH. Scottish, Air and Waltz. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). One part. Composed by John Bannerman, Lord Kildonan (1901-1969), a Liberal politician, Gaelic activist, Scottish rugby internationalist, and singer and composer of Gaelic songs. "Eilidh" means Helen, and the song is set on the isle of Harris:

The way is long to island glen and shieling
The climb is steep o'er heather, crag and moor
But soft the tear of longing, Eilidh darling
For mem'ry's kiss in Laggan by the shore.
Your hand in mine and promise to be waiting
In sea-girt isle where living vows were made
Your heart will ever guide my spirit sailing
To Tir-nan-og where love can never fade...... ('Tir-nan-og' means 'Land of the Ever-Young'.)

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Martin (Ceol na Fidhle, vol. 3), 1988; p. 20. Neil (The Scots Fiddle), 1991; No. 137, p. 177.

Recorded sources:

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