In the 19^th century Gaelic was the language of everyday life in Lorn and the Islands. It was used in the market, the fields, the workshops, and the churches. We still hear some of the church music today. Some MacDougalls, for example, were deeply involved in the Baptist revival on the Ross of Mull in the early 19^th century, Mary MacDonald among them. Mary was the daughter of Duncan MacDougall, born in Brolas near the Ross of Mull in 1789. Mary’s brother Duncan MacDougall was the first minister of the Tiree Baptist church founded in 1838. A poet as well, he published a volume of Gaelic hymns, which can be found on the internet.

Mary MacDonald composed a hymn, “Leanabh an Àigh”, or “Child of Glory”, setting the words to an old air, “Bunessan”. Bunessan is the major village on the Ross of Mull. On the outskirts of the town there is a memorial cairn to Mary MacDonald. Tourist buses point it out as they pass on the A849 on their journey to Fionnphort and Iona. The hymn became very popular and was translated by Lachlan MacDean around 1900, with an opening line “Child in the Manger”. The translation was naturally taken as a Christmas carol, although there are scholars that doubt that this was the intent of the poet. The air, Bunessan, was used again in Eleanor Farjeon’s 1931 hymn, “Morning has Broken”.

The following version of  “Leanabh an Àigh” is taken from the magnificent late 19^th century collection of Gaelic “Hymns and Incantations”, Ortha nan Gàidheal – Carmina Gadelica, (1940) by Alexander Carmichael, born on the Isle of Lismore. It was edited by Alexander Carmichael’s grandson, J.C. Watson. Although the version given here has but three verses, many more are available from other sources. A number of recordings of “Leanamh an Àigh” can be found on YouTube, for example the recording by Arthur Cormack at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw73Wj2iqdg.

Tòmas MacCòmhghan
Betesda, Tìr-Mhàiri

Leanabh an Aigh Leanabh an àigh An Leanabh aig Màiri, Rugadh san stàball Rìgh nan dùl Thàinig dh’an fhàsach, ‘S dh’fhuilig ‘nar n-àite Sona dh’an àireamh Bhitheas dha dlùth   ‘N uair chunnaic e fein Gun robh sinne ‘nar n-eiginn, Dh’fhosgail speuran Reidh os ar cionn : Chunnaic sinn Criosda, Spiorad na firinn, Tharraing siud sinn Fo dhion a chruin.   Neartaich ar dachas, Meudaich ar solas, Cum sinne treorach Dileas dluth, Solas ar lochrain, Mar ris na h-oighean, Seinn ann an gloir An orain uir.

The Child of Glory THE Child of glory The Child of Mary, Born in the stable The King of all, Who came to the wilderness And in our stead suffered; Happy they are counted Who to Him are near.   When He Himself saw That we were in travail, Heaven opened graciously Over our head : We beheld Christ, The Spirit of truth, The same drew us in ‘Neath the shield of His crown.   Strengthen our hope, Enliven our joyance, Keep us valiant, Faithful and near, O light of our lantern, Along with the virgins, Singing in glory The anthem new.