Karen Matheson - vocals Donald Shaw - Piano Ronan Browne - whistle and uilleann pipes Aly Bain - fiddle Tim O'Brien - fiddle Jerry Douglas - slide Catriona McKay - harp Todd Parks - bass
Lyrics: English Translation For those who have shed a tear listening to this sad song and been privileged to hear the voice of an Angel Broken my heart Lonely my life With my darling child lying here and me tormented It is the end of my world My little red-haired girl Laid out in Crucán na bPáiste She will not see again The dew on the grass Nor the snow in the glens of Maamtrasna No sun on her face No sweet song of the birds Only the cold earth of Crucán na bPáiste
Thanks for providing the words. I certainly can identify, having recently lost my dear young daughter, although under different circumstances to be sure, but one never gets over the grief . Songs like this helps in coping with the sadness.
Stunning. Karen has a tremendous voice, hauntingly beautiful, with Ronan on the Ulliean pipes, and that wonderful whistle, this is just so very emotional, never mind the story behind the lament. I just can't stop playing this (God bless my neighbours !!).
This song is so beautiful... It gives me a sense of peace, but rips me apart at the core. Everything about this song is just perfect... and when the pipes come in later, it only adds so much more to the beauty of Karen's voice with the rest, they just weep...
Beautiful,,, could soften the hardest heart, this was written from the soul and wonderfully performed by Karen and the talented transatlantic musicians, ,,Just when you think you've heard all the best songs, then this one rips your heart out,,, why was it hidden for so long ?
I cry today for my nephews Mark (1955) and James (1957) Stearman. Both gone to the grave too soon with no chance to become themselves. My heart tears open each time I hear Karen sing this tune.
When her voice rises to the chorus, and knowing what these words mean, it tears at my soul. My eyes don't tear up but somehow the sorrow is felt so strongly. I too would have that feeling if I had to lay one of my children in their grave and had to endure such pain as living on. Celtic music seems to go far beneath our pop culture songs' reach and touch us so very tenderly.
Chorus: In the name of the Father And in the name of the Son And Mother Mary full of grace In the name of the Holy Spirit Don't leave me alive With my little angel in Crucán na bPáiste
It`s to beautifful for words, it hit`s you right in your soul. I saw it today on bbc4 and whent straight on the internet to find it.I`am so glad i found it, because it did bring a small tear to my eyes and thanks for the peolpe here that put in a translation. I wish all people that lost a child all the best strenght and gods grase to them and there child.
That haunting Uilleann Pipes solo from 3.37 with all the trills and flourishes (and that bending of the note at 4.49) is simply beyond outstanding. It's a lament isn't it for the lost child and grieving mother. Never 'eard nowt like it. Just makes you tear up - even the memory of it.
I played in one of karen's concerts last year, and she sang this. it was the first time I'd heard it, and our string section were still on the platform but it was only Donald and Karen, so we were listening intently, and I shed a tear or two standing on that stage. I've never understood any Gaelic, but this song and Karen's delivery was just heartbreakingly good. I love this song.
I had occasion to visit Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin recently and came across the Angels plot where miscarried and stillborn children have been buried for generations The guide told us there are 90,000+ children buried there.I thought immediately of this song...
Part of the fascination for me with this beautiful song is that fact that it's a familiar melody, Scots or Gaelic I dont know which, which I also know as a military air, also as Ta Mo Chleamhnas, all of which makes these songs that much more interesting to me by the individuality and mood which can be imparted through the arrangement, lyrics, tempo, and performer. Such rich music.
@BeautifulSoulgurl God Bless your cousin and your family. I can't imagine what it must feel like to lose one so young, but as a father and a fellow human being my thoughts are with you and your cousin's family.
sooooooo pretty just lost my 3year old cousin to luekemia on dec 22 2009 and i am proud of my scottish heritage as my grandpa is from glasgow i am stuck with american though lol
Karen sings with the voice of an angel. Hope the translation helps..:) Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw (you can see them tonight in Glasgow, see post below) performing Crucán Na bPáiste. The lyrics in English translation: ‘Broken my heart Lonely my life With my darling child lying here and me tormented It is the end of my world My little red-haired girl Laid out in Crucán na bPáiste She will not see again The dew on the grass Nor the snow in the glens of Maamtrasna No sun on her face No sweet song of the birds Only the cold earth of Crucán na bPáiste Chorus: In the name of the Father And in the name of the Son And Mother Mary full of grace In the name of the Holy Spirit Don't leave me alive With my little angel in Crucán na bPáiste There is sadness on the mountains Anger on the Mask But much worse am I that didn’t save her And for the time I am alive Never more will I stand In Ireland or in Crucán na bPáiste (Chorus) With my little angel in Crucán na bPáiste’
There is sadness on the mountains Anger on the Mask But much worse am I that didn't save her And for the time I am alive Never more will I stand In Ireland or in Crucán na bPáiste (Chorus) With my little angel in Crucán na bPáiste
I played strings for Karen singing this yesterday. I nearly cried on the stage! (I don't understand the words but the meaning is obviously carried through other means....)
You're very kind to express sympathy for a stranger. I gratefully accept your prayers and sympathy, and I ask God's grace on you, and all those who've been kind to me. Prayer works, and I hope and trust that one day He will do something very nice for you... if He hasn't already. Dominus vobiscum +
She is so dedicated to her craft ... in true celtic style (expect nothing less) she feels every sorrowful moment - very few can match her talent in Ireland or in Scotland - I have got to say if Fantasy could ever become real - I would love this girl all my life and more .. special tribute should be payed to the uileann (Irish pipes) - often mistaken for Scottish at the end that just caps this melancholy Cool
It looks like the same interior and the same musicians as in the Julie Fowlis video where she sings Bothan Àirigh am Bràigh Raithneach. Perhaps both videos came from the same sessions. It would be nice if someone in the know would comment on this. The song is very beautiful, and from the comments it is a moving song about the death of children. So of course a tragic mood, but still very beautiful. Perhaps this is from the famous Transatlantic Sessions, which I have not seen. Perhaps I should try to buy the video. Anyway I really enjoy singing by Karen Matheson and also Julie Fowlis.
Transatlantic Sessions Series 4 will be transmitted on BBC Four TV on Friday 18 September 2009 at 20:30 BST (CD and DVD will follow). Series runs for 6 weeks.
Her music and her delivery often move me to tears, without speaking Scottish Gael, however knowing the meaning of the song, makes it that much more heartbreaking! Sometimes not knowing the translation helps, for the loss of a child is the worst.
This song is very moving, partly because i had to bury my young son of 17, in 1989. I would like to know how I can obtain a score of this song. Can someone point me to a publisher who publishes the songs by Capercaillie? Thanks.
Does this song refer to the custom of burying babies who died before baptism in unconsecrated ground? The words seem more in keeping with Catholic devotion. Is this the Connemara, MaamTreasna - the location of a notorious Judicial murder in the 1870's? Thanks to the Transatlantic session for song that evokes a too common experience of mothers of that time.
Does this song refer to the custom of burying babies who died before baptism in unconsecrated ground? The words seem more in keeping with Catholic devotion. Is this the Connemara, MaamTreasna - the location of a norotious Judicial murder in the 1870's. Thanks to the Transatlantic session for song that evokes a too common experience of mothers of that time.
A beautiful song, though sad, and Ms. Matheson has a lovely voice, but it cuts a bit close to the bone for me. My second grand-daughter died in her mother's womb last Thursday.
No, only Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw. It was a session of the Transatlantic Sessions, recorded ba BBC Scotland. You can find on the DVD of the Session Nr. 3, released 2007.
