Gaelic conversation with John Dan MacNeil.
Macdonald, NormanSister Margaret MacDonell Antigonish (N.S.) Recited part of Gaelic poem from her book
What motivated you to write this book?
While studying at Harvard, she felt it would be useful work to do; Dr. Unn encouraged her
Poetry in the book is from all corner of North America
Was it easy to collect this poetry
It required much research on the songs & the persons who wrote them - why they were written etc.
Where were you fining the songs?
Many place, books here in Nova Scotia, one from recordings made in Ontario, most from MacTalla, some from the Casket
Most songs composed by emigrants...
According to the songs, all wasn't gloomy in their new life
The people who came liked music & song & dance
Who is this book for?
Anyone interested in the Galic would enjoy it - hope it will be useful for people interested in the language
How did you do the translation - line by line, or did you try to interpret the meaning?
Tried line by line, hard to do it any other way, but faithful to the meaning as well
200 years of history in the book...
Reads from poem "Braighe Abhainn Bharney"
Talks about the bards, "Duanag a California"
Where is Gaelic Poetry going from here?
His people came from North Uist Angus "Mor" MacDonald & his friends prepared for a year to emigrate
The people who "drove" them out
People who came: MacLeods, Morrisons, MacKinnons, Beatons
His grandfather's family - 10 children, 2 born here
His grandmother told him stories of Scotland
They sailed from Loch Maddy on "The Commerce", weeks & 6 days on the journey
Half the group went to West Bay, the rest stayed at Irish Cove - finally all moved to Loch Lomond area
How they acquired stock - oxen, horses, cattle
Many brands - songs were never published
His experiences going west on the "Harvest" trains
Wages & working conditions
Describes different types of work in the lumber camps
The pioneers' religion
Log churches - snow blew in between the logs
Church services, precenting
Social life - ceilidhs, milling frolics,
Milling songs - the best singers were in Loch Lomond
Weddings - the "drive" after the marriage, as many as 100 wagons
One of the songs they sang during the drive - "Cha bhi mi buan 's tu bhi buan"
Sings a chorus of the song
Macdonald, NormanItem is an audio recording of a conversation between Dan Alex Macleod (Framboise) and Rev. Roderick Macleod (North Uist)
MacDonald, Norman - Introduces Rev. Roderick MacLeod & Dan Alex MacLeod
MacLeod, Dan Alex - Discusses some genealogy, his trip to Scotland
MacLeod, Rev. Roderick - His opinion of Gaelic in Cape Breton - its strength
MacLeod, Dan Alex - Speaks only Gaelic with his wife
MacLeod, Dan Alex - Discusses why the young people didn't Learn the language
MacLeod, Dan Alex - He had to learn to speak English in school
MacLeod, Dan Alex - At one time children were punished for speaking Gaelic in school
MacLeod, Rev. Roderick - Sees similarities between the Gaelic situation in C.B. And Scotland
MacLeod, Dan Alex - Discusses the people he met on his trip to Scotland
MacLeod, Dan Alex - People learn to read and write Gaelic but do not speak it
MacLeod, Rev. Roderick - Invites Dan Alex to visit him in Scotland
MacLeod, Dan Alex - He is going back to Scotland July 7, 1979
Macdonald, NormanItem is an audio recording of the radio program "Air Bord" on CHER Radio. Hosted by Norman Macdonald with guest Archie Alex MacKenzie of Christmas Island. Includes Gaelic songs, stories and conversation.
Archie Alex MacKenzie
Genealogy - his ancestors came to C.B. In 1821 on the ship harmony
His father was a teacher and a Gaelic scholar and bard
"An Tulach Bhoidheach"
Discusses his brother Hugh, also a Gaelic scholar and bard, first host of CBC program "MacTalla an Eilean"
Sings a Gaelic song composed by Hugh MacLellan for the C.B. Gaelic society
The early pioneers - farming was their main means of livelihood
The pioneers were industrious
The Gaelic work songs...
Music - a fiddle in every house
His trip to Scotland
Gleann a' Bhaird - the name of the place his ancestors came from in Barra
Sings a song (gaelic) he wrote for his trip to Barra
Item is an audio recording of Frank Macarthur discussing Gaelic language in the Codroy Valley, Newfoundland. Includes Gaelic songs and sgeulachdan.
Gaelic was his first language - did not speak English until he went to school
There were once many Gaelic speakers in the Codroy valley
Discusses Gaelic work songs, spinning songs his grandmother used to sing
Fragment of Gaelic song: "Illean bithibh sunndach..."
"Oran na Mocaisean"
"Chailean dhuinn a dh'fhag thu mi..."
Fragments of two sgeulachdan
His grandfather came from Scotland...
His grandmother talked about the heather in Scotland...
"Will you marry me my damsel..."
Item is an audio recording of Donnie Macleod singing Gaelic songs and Puirt-a-Beul. Includes:
Puirt-a-beul
O tha mo spiorad cionail
Mo Chailinn Og
Scottish ballad
Corra ghritheach Dhonn
Braigh Lochiel
Chi mi'n tir 's an robh mi nam balach
Contemporary English song
Traditional Lewis song
Item is an audio recording of the First Johnathan G. MacKinnon Memorial Lecture, sponsored by Beaton Institute, April 6, 1979; delivered at Taigh nan Gaidheal, George St., Sydney (N.S.): Introduces the principal speaker, Rev. Dr. Roderick MacLeod, Scotland
Macdonald, NormanStephen Rory MacNeil Iona The Co-operative Moment in Iona
Dr. Coady taught them how to start & operative Co-operatives
The Iona Co-operative, its beginning
Difficulty during the depression
Credit Union started first - small deposits
First co-op failed
It was difficult to get the Credit Union organized first payment 10 cents
Benefits of the Credit Union
Second Iona Co-op got along well
Depression - no money - $1 a day would make them rich
Farmers had plenty food but no way of earning money for taxes, etc.
Jim Francis MacNeil Sydney (N.S.) "Thig dhiot an cada; 's tionndaidh rium"
"Ho ro mo chuid chuideach thu..."
An Te a'Chaill a'Ghaidhlig"
Started working in the Steel Plant at age of 20
His job at the plant - drilling rails
Describes the rail-making process
5,000 working for Dosco when he started
Where rails are shipped
Reasons for starting the plant in Sydney (N.S.)
Item is an audio recording of various informants discussing Gaelic culture and identity as well as a number of songs and musical performances.
Norman MacDonald Sydney (N.S.) Introduction - re Scottish language, culture, music in C.B.
Buddy MacMaster, Winnie Chafe, Doug MacPhee Cape Breton Violing & piano music: reels
Norman MacDonald Discusses Scottish evictions and emigrations
Rise & Follies of C.B. Sydney (N.S.) Humorous satire of C.B. History
Archie Alex MacKenzie Halifax Discusses strong family ties in C.B.,
MacKenzie genealogy, his trip to Barra
Mary Margaret MacLean Whycocomagh Song: "tir a' ghuail"
Discusses family entertainment
Cliff Morais Big Pond (N.S.) Born in Loch Lomond parent spoke French, his interest in gaelic music
Sons of Skye Big Pond (N.S.) Biolin: Strathspeys & reels
Norman MacDonald Use of Gaelic in C.B. & N>S.; political intervention needed
Archie Alex MacKenzie Gaelic his first language; home & school environment; future of gaelic
John Archy MacKenzie Belle Cote Gaelic culture growing, some fears for the language
North Shore Singers North Shore "He mo leannan...."
Buddy MacMaster North Shore "A rovin' we must go..."
John Archy MacKenzie Future of Gaelic
Donald MacLean Toronto (Lewis) Accordian Selections (from Mod in Toronto)
Quartet from Toronto "Mi Seo 'nam Aonar"
Description of Mo's participants - soloists, choirse etc. Why people from different areas are interested in Gaelic
Scotia Sisters Winnipeg Puirt-a-beul
Margaret MacLeod Winnipeg (Lweis) Children have no Gaelic; they are easy to teach
John Skiff "Eilean Scalpaidh, na Hearradh"
Ruth Sutherland Toronto "Illerin ho ro bobha ho..."
Lloyd Leland Newfoundland Gaelic learner; married a Gaelic speaker; all their children speak gaelic
Joyce MacRae "Oran do dh'lain Bhreac MacLeoid"
Christine Hauser "Ochoin a righ, nach e mi tha muladach"
Archie Alex MacKenzie Song for the Mod
Macdonald, NormanJoe Neil MacNeil Big Pond (N.S.)
Gaelic music - fidle music always most plentiful
Some tunes played on both fiddle & bagpipes - all tunes id not suit both
Names of tunes especially for pipes - 2/4 marches & reels
Why some tunes are more diffcult to play on pipes
Some pipe tunes not suitable for fiddle
Today's tunes don't have the Gaelic flavour
Discusses tunes with Gaelic names & puirt-a-beul
Jim Francis MacNeil Sydney (N.S.)
"Thig dhiot an cadal 's tionndaidh rium"
"Ho ro mo chuideachd thu"
Discusses his work at the Steel Plant - (similar to T-2054)
"Teannaidh dluth 's togaibh fonn"
"Hiu ho ro bho, chaneil mi slan"
"Ged tha mi gun chrodh, gun aighean"
"Fagail Bharraih"
Gaelic Story: "The Widow's Wish"