runrig – alba ( scotland )

this is one of runrig’s gaelic songs .

i’ve included a translation at the bottom for those who are interested .

intro : Dm , C , Dm , C

Dm C

air sgiath a’ seoladh nan neoil

Dm C

’s an domhain liath

Dm C

mar dhealbh a’ tighinn beo tro na sgothan

Dm C

’s mi a’ tilleadh gu tir

Dm C

alba nam beanntan ard

Dm C

nan acraichean lom

Dm C

thairis air na lochan mointich

Dm C

nan coilltean ’s nan gleann

Am F C G

A – A – A – A – lba

Am F C G

A – A – A – A – lb

[ intro chords ]

ach ’se sealladh leointe is gann

tha an seo aig ceann thall an linn

talamh alainn nan daoine

fhathast an lamhan duine no dithis

cuibhlean stolda mu dheas

na fasaichean a tuath

an taigh – mor falamh an dun – eideann

gun chumhachd gun ghuth

[ chorus ]

sibhse chuir achadh ri achadh

taigh ri taigh

gus nach bi ait anns an tir

an gabh sibh comhnaidh air leth

ach ’s math dhomh bhith seo an drasd

a cur failt air a’ bhlas

’san tir a tha cho ur dhomh an diugh

is a bha i nuair bha mi ’nam phaisd

[ chorus ]

enjoy!

translation

this flight is sailing through the clouds

and the blue heavens

the homeland appears like a developing photograph

through the mists as i return to land

i see scotland of the high mountains

and the empty acres

flying low across the moorland lochs

the forests and the glens

scotland

scotland

but it’s a wounding and a hollow sight

here as we reach the end of the century

the beautiful soil of the people

still in the hands of the few

i see the wheels of industry at a standstill

and the northern lands wasted

and the empty house in edinburgh

without authority or voice

you that have laid field upon field

house upon house

till there be nowhere for you to be placed alone

in the midst of all the earth

but it is good for me to be here now

as i welcome the warmth

in this land that’s as exciting for me today

as it was the day i was born