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Chi Mi Na Morbheanna

from Panta Rhei by Diana Rowan

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about

Yearning for home is the subject of this song, which always brings up mixed feelings for me as an immigrant. There's the great life I have here, and the unknown life I would have had in my home country. Particularly, it's wondering about the connection I have to the people of my country, being something of an outsider now, but certainly not completely disconnected. To reflect this bittersweet situation, I arranged an organic drone of lyra and tambur (marrying Greek and Turkish instruments!) and sing both vocals to acknowledge this double identity of being Irish and American. In order to learn the lyrics, my dad, who was educated in Gaelic, read the words into my answering machine, which James then transferred to CD. I would sit there with my boombox and read along with it until finally the day came when I could switch the boombox off.

lyrics

Chi Mi Na Morbheanna
(Scottish Gaelic)

Chorus:
O chi, chi mi na morbheanna
O chi, chi mi na corrbheanna
O chi, chi mi na coireachan
Chi mi na sgoran fo cheo

Verse:
Chi mi gun dail an t-aite 's an d'rugadh mi
Cuirear orm failt' 's a chaain a thuigeas mi
Gheibh mi ann aoidh agus gradh 'n uair ruigeam
Nach reicinn air thunnaichean oir

Chi mi ann coilltean, chi mi ann doireachan
Chi mi ann maghan baa is toraiche
Chi mi na feidh air la nan coireachan
Falaicht' an trusgan de cheo

Beanntaichean ada is aillidh leacainnean
Sluagh ann on comhnuidh is coire cleachdainnean
'S aotrom mo cheum a' leum g'am faicinn
Is fanaidh mi tacan le deoin

The Mist Covered Mountains
(English translation)

Chorus:
Oh I see, I see the great mountains
Oh I see, I see the lofty mountains
Oh I see, I see the corries
I see the peaks under the mist

Verse:
I see right away the place of my birth
I will be welcomed in a language that I understand
I will receive hospitality and love when I reach there
That I will not trade for tons of gold

I see the woods there, I see thickets
I see fair, fertile fields there
I see the deer on the ground of the corries
Shrouded in a garment of mist

High mountains with lovely slopes
Folk abiding there who are customarily kind
Light is my step as I go bounding to meet them
And I will remain there willingly

credits

from Panta Rhei, released September 1, 2004

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about

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Diana Rowan San Francisco, California

Diana Rowan’s playing has "unusual power and beauty." Born in Ireland, she lives and studies worldwide, inspiring music which interweaves Celtic, Eastern European, Near Eastern and classical arts and mythology. "The music was so emotional, deep, and healing that I forgot all my problems for the rest of the day." "Your playing expands and transcends consciousness with dreams, love, hope." ... more

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