bho Alasdair à Gleanna Garadh
Bu tu ’n t-iubhar thar gach coillidh,
Bu tu ’n darach daingeann làidir,
Bu tu ’n cuileann ’s bu tu ’n draigheann,
Bu tu ’n t-abhall molach blàthmhor;
Cha robh do dhàimh ris a’ chritheann
No do dhligheadh ris an fheàrna;
Cha robh bheag ionnad den leamhan;
Bu tu leannan nam ban àlainn.
Translations of this Poem
from Alasdair of Glengarry
Translator: Colm Ó Baoill
You were the yew above every forest, you were the
strong steadfast oak, you were the holly and the
black-thorn, you were the apple-tree, rough-barked and
many-flowered. You had no kinship with the aspen,
owed no bonds to the alder; there was none of the
lime-tree in you; you were the darling of beautiful women.
About this poem
This poem was reproduced on a postcard for National Poetry Day 2009. Eight poetry postcards are published each year by the Scottish Poetry Library to celebrate National Poetry Day and are distributed throughout Scotland to schools, libraries and other venues. The theme for 2009 was heroes and villains. You can find out more about National Poetry Day in our National Poetry Day pages.
