Eilean Fada
Lyrics (Scottish Gaelic/English)
Words & Music by Talitha MacKenzie
Air Eilean Fada, a' lorg an Eilein Fhada
Air Eilean Fada, a' lorg an Eilein Fhada
A' toirt sùil fada a-null, thar na mara
A' toirt sùil fada a-null, a-null ri fàire
Chorus
Có aig tha fios carson a tha e 'gam thàladh?
A’ tarraing gu sìorraidh, tha e cho làidir—ghlac e mi gu mór
Chorus
From Lewis to Barra the Long Island lies, hugging the western shore
Across the Atlantic a windswept voice is lost in the ocean's roar
The City's stately monoliths reach to scrape the sky
But the standing stones of Callanish are reflected in her eyes
Chorus x 2
Tha mi'n dùil, tha mi'n dùil
Tha mi'n dùil ri bhi tilleadh
A dh’ionnsaidh Duthaich Mhic Leòid
Far an òg robh mi mireadh
Translation (English)
On Long Island, looking for the Long Island
On Long Island, looking for the Long Island
Casting an eye far beyond, across the sea
Casting an eye far beyond, toward the horizon
Chorus
Who knows why it's so compelling?
Forever pulling, it is so strong—it captured me
Chorus x 2
I hope, I hope, I hope that I will return
to the Land of MacLeod where I was young and happy