Aignish Moon (w/ Luna Trick)

Rebsie

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Description

A short piece in Scottish Gaelic, using just voices.

Aignish is a tiny place on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis ... and I took the photo on a visit to the island in the early 90s. Lyrically, the song is an emigrant's yearning lament for home.

My vocal is a live one-take, served here on a bed of Daniel chorale.

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Lyrics

(words and tune traditional)

An ciaradh m'fheasgair 's mo bheath' air claoidh
Mo rosg air dunadh 's a' bhas gun chli
Stiuir curs' an iar leam gu eilean ciatach
Gu Aignish sgiamhach far an d'araich mi

An sin gun cairich sibh mi 's an fhod
A measg mo chairdean 's mo shinnsrean coir
Ri tonnan barr-gheal a' bualadh traghad
'Sri machair Aignish nan laoigh 's nam bo

Song Stats

Hits: 719
Comments: 61
Fans: 34
Plays: 108
Downloads: 44
Votes: 4
Uploaded: May 25, 2009 - 02:38:13 PM
Last Updated: May 25, 2009 - 02:38:13 PM Last Played: Nov 25, 2009 - 10:14:18 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

Gaelic (6), traditional (76), Isle of Lewis (1), choral (17)

Comments

ramonaji	ramonaji said 184 days ago (May 25th, 2009)
	I am the first! Commenter! This is beautiful, Rebsie! You are an artist of the highest caliber. I know, I have your CD. And now this beautiful song, as well! Check out my latest song called You Think You've Got it All?

Rebsie	Rebsie said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	Thank you Ramona! Always love to get comments from you ... and I'm really glad you're enjoying the CD. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 184 days ago (May 25th, 2009)
	i hear voices this turned out really cool. i like the stop and go, pretty trippy. excellent vocal work Rebsie & Daniel Check out my latest song called November

Rebsie	Rebsie said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	Cheers Vic. It's a fun challenge to make a traditional song sound untraditional using just voices. Always appreciate your support. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Feter	Feter said 184 days ago (May 25th, 2009)
	Aignish Moon Amazing ...just amazing ...the feel ..the accent ...the sphere .. just total magic ...this can be a wonderful prelude to a huge celtic epic ..thnx alot for sharin !!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

Rebsie	Rebsie said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	A prelude to an epic ... it might just turn out that way. I'm digging out as many Gaelic songs as I can find and we're working our way through the lot! Many thanks for your continued kindness. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 184 days ago (May 25th, 2009)

Really good, Rebsie...
...on this one the sweeter or more lilting qualities of your voice outweigh the breathiness, and once again it sounds pitch perfect to my ears. The phrasing seems perfect as well, and the male voice chorus gives just the bit of heft on the bottom end... As both recording and performance, this is really nice.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Rebsie

Rebsie said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)

Lovely to see you Ed, and thank you. I'm so pleased you find the pitch and phrasing to be right - because it was very much an exercise in spontaneity and I didn't allow myself the luxury of being judgmental with it. I've stifled my creativity so much in the past by trying to perfect everything, so the whole point of this was to do one take - no edits - and send it off to Daniel regardless of whether I thought it was good enough. I was amazed at how lush he made it sound.

Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

slumbering	slumbering said 184 days ago (May 25th, 2009)
	Do i even need to say anything? Beautiful... Check out my latest song called Over the Sea

Rebsie	Rebsie said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	I'm always delighted to see you ... your new song is a beauty too. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

LunaTrick	LunaTrick said 184 days ago (May 25th, 2009)
	I'm so thrilled.... To have been part of this stunning performance. Whatever makes you sing like this... keep doing it. Each piece is a magical journey and I'm learning so much. Thanks for working with me. Check out my latest song called Luna Gypsy Heart II (Eternal Firelight)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	In my youth I worked my arse off learning to sing in Gaelic and I never really knew why I was doing it. Now I know. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself ... 'cause you're stuck with me now! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Char

Char said 184 days ago (May 25th, 2009)

The Luna Chorus
is exactly right. So is the stop and start. That looks like a really difficult language and I applaud your resolve to bring these kinds of ballads from another era into the present. You are like an Anthropologist that reacquaints us with our ancestors. A sweet spell of romantic history is cast. Thanks, both of you.

Check out my latest song called Break Away (Mark Holbrook & Awigze)

Rebsie

Rebsie said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)

Thank you Char, I appreciate your kind words. Gaelic isn't too bad really ... what makes it difficult is that it doesn't really share any common roots with English, so it's structured very differently and you can't guess words if you don't know them. But once you get the hang of it, it all starts to make sense. It's the perfect, most beautiful language for poetry and song.

Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

snowdragon	snowdragon said 184 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	ye're all richt, ye ken My grandmother, who tried in vain to teach me the words of the Heelands, would be very pleased. Strangely enough, I've been working lately with Scottish Travelers influences, so I was drawn to this instantly. Very nice Rebs. Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Thank you Snow ... it's lovely to see you back around here! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

davisamerica	davisamerica said 184 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	speechlessly stunned .... Rebsie ... angelic .... Daniel ... brilliant chorale ... too short !! :-] Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Apologies for the shortness ... but I ran out of words! We have a longer Gaelic emigration lament in the works though. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

lengold	lengold said 184 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	Fantastic Cheers Len Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	As always Len ... thank you! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

T_Being_esq	T_Being_esq said 184 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	Anguish Loved it. Too short for me I could have listened to it for hours. Check out my latest song called I have Been Away (LIOLI, Late Entry)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Thank you Martin. There will be others which have a few more verses ... Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Bazz	Bazz said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	Beautiful stuff This is as about as far away from Essex as you are likely to get, gal, both geographically and culturally. Must be the Sutherland genes making themselves felt.

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Funny about the Sutherland genes ... 'cause although it's a Scottish name they all seem to have hailed from south London, according to my researches ... Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

paul f. page

paul f. page said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)

Love the lyrics...
...They can be anything I want!!!
The "concept" for this piece strikes me very positively, the short phrases of thoughtfulness with kind of a drone as accompaniment. On a foggy, drizzly day in Scotland, this piece captures the atmosphere beautifully. I agree with Ed about your sense of pitch. No matter if you are singing against dissonance or creating it yourself, there is a "certainness" to your delivery that puts the listener at ease even if momentarily disconcerted by the direction of the melody. I'd actually like to hear the backup choral be a little brighter/louder. It seems awfully gloomy down there, though the lyrics may be saying "gloom" all the way. Don't know. ... I amso agree with another comment (above) about the brevity of this piece. I could easily stand another 1 1/2 -- 2 minutes. Beautiful song. Beautiful arrangement. Beautiful singing. (The triple threat!) You have it all.
Peace.
Paul

Check out my latest song called Double Etude

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Thank you Paul. It was done as a live take with no edits ... but my confidence is improving and consequently so is my voice. The lyrics are heart-rendingly sad ... a painful yearning lament ... so the chorale is echoing that mood. We are doing more in a similar vein, but with some quite different treatments. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

michael2	michael2 said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)
	very nice i love the treatment you guys used on this one. i've always felt that Rebsies voice should be produced in much the same way one might produce Bjork. this is great. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Always lovely to get comments from you Michael - thanks. I have to give Daniel all the credit for how my voice is treated here! He always knows how to get the best out of it. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Doug Somers

Doug Somers said 183 days ago (May 26th, 2009)

Vocal tones
A lovely treatment of this tune - one of the most original versions I've heard and most intimate and effective. Only one nit - I would love to be bathed in the sounds for longer. Some singers have used an instrumental verse and a DC through to a restatement of part of the verse however I understand that wouldn't work in an all vocal treatment. In any event, I'm just greedy for more of the beautiful and haunting vocals.

All the best,
Doug

Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Fair point Doug ... but look upon this as a prelude to the many more (and mostly longer) Gaelic songs we're working on. Very pleased you like it and we greatly appreciate your support. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

guitapick	guitapick said 183 days ago (May 27th, 2009)
	If I were a woman... ...I would want to have your voice. I love simplicity. Can't get around it. Short and sweet, Rebs...wonderful Check out my latest song called Outside the Corral

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	If I was a guitarist I would want to have your fingers. Thank you Bob! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

blaky smith	blaky smith said 183 days ago (May 27th, 2009)
	Short but so good.... Nice collab Rebsie and you have really a very nice voice, so authentic in this traditional song... Sincerely its always a pleasure to hear you. Marc Check out my latest song called Sur le sable (w Jiguma)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Thank you Marc ... it's a pleasure for us to explore these songs. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Boundless	Boundless said 183 days ago (May 27th, 2009)
	Love those a capella songs And in Gaelic - there's something so ancient about it. . . Great vocals for a short and sweet song. Thank you both ! Check out my latest song called Here to Hear - collab

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Thanks ... we appreciate your kind comments. It's probably the ancient tones of the Gaelic language that makes it appeal to us. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

MarkHolbrook	MarkHolbrook said 182 days ago (May 28th, 2009)
	Rebsie... Sorry I missed this! As expected beautiful. You and Daniel need to move closer to one another! The Reb-Trick band! Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Mark - I would love that more than anything! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

magnatone	magnatone said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Aignish Moon sigh .... this is just so hauntingly beautiful you two. what an incredible collab team you guys are - just fabulous, thank you again and always Check out my latest song called Symphonic Smackdown

Rebsie	Rebsie said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Thanks Karen! We are rather enjoying ourselves, as you may have noticed. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Outtaorbit	Outtaorbit said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	So beautiful..... Once again, I'm speechless Check out my latest song called Sea Shell Blues and Alannah

Rebsie	Rebsie said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)
	Your lack of speech is a great compliment Patrick, thanks. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Skean	Skean said 181 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Awesome As always when you guys works together, it be a hit.. Loved it... Cheers Check out my latest song called Let's Go Trippy

Rebsie	Rebsie said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)
	Thank you Kenta. We are really enjoying working together, and pleased you enjoy the results. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

jiguma	jiguma said 180 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Very Nice Love these. N Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)
	We have a backlog of 'em waiting to post now Neil ... so I'm glad you're enjoying them! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

egobandit	egobandit said 180 days ago (May 29th, 2009)
	Stunning Rebsie your voice shines like an angel on high, Love the Gaelic I think its a beautiful language! Check out my latest song called when its love

Rebsie	Rebsie said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)
	Thank you! I guess I'm an earthy pagan kind of angel. Gaelic is the perfect language for singing in, it's very musical. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

bud	bud said 180 days ago (May 30th, 2009)
	So beautiful - and so well sung middle earth really did exist. Excellent collab. Check out my latest song called try not to think

Rebsie	Rebsie said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)
	Thank you Bud ... we always appreciate your support. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Dj French Toast	Dj French Toast said 179 days ago (May 31st, 2009)
	:) yup this is bad ass too ;) very very pretty :) great mix :)oh and nice job on the language how did you learn how to say the words properly ? Check out my latest song called Its The French Toast(Colab W/WillBill808)

Rebsie	Rebsie said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)
	I spent a very very intensive year learning Gaelic when I was in my early 20s. The main aim was to be able to sing songs like this ... but it's only really now (with Daniel's help and inspiration) that I'm able to make use of it. Thank you Benny, as always! Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Calchas	Calchas said 179 days ago (May 31st, 2009)
	Lovely (Of course...) You ever listen to any of Runrig's Gaelic songs? The language of my ancestors. (Part of them anyway!) Love it! Be well friends! Check out my latest song called It's Not The Same

Rebsie

Rebsie said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)

Ah, I used to love Runrig. They were my favourite band for a while in the late 1980s, back when they were just a bunch of long-haired oiks from the Outer Hebrides. A lot of my Gaelic singing technique I learned from them (they are native speakers) and I saw them live a couple of times. But then when they got a big record deal and went commercial - aaaaaaargh!!!

Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Calchas

Calchas said 177 days ago (June 1st, 2009)

Commercial!
I too love their earlier stuff (first four studio albums and their first live album) best of all. But even as a commercial band, they're a force to be reckoned with. A few years ago they did an album called: "Stamping Ground," in which---to a very great extent---they recaptured the sound and spirit of the early days. If you ever get a chance, try giving it a spin...

Lucky you Rebs. You got to see them in the early days when they were bursting with Keltic fire! I've never caught them live I'm afraid. I DID catch WOLFSTONE live once, when they were touring for the "Year Of The Dog" album. Now THAT was a jaw-dropping performance! Would also love to catch OYSTERBAND just once before they cash it in, but will probably have to resort to DVD like I did with THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG...

OOOPS! Starting to ramble....Sorry.

Check out my latest song called It's Not The Same

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 179 days ago (May 31st, 2009)
	Diversity I love how no two of you guys' songs are alike. This is again a cool track, with its own brand of coolness. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

Rebsie	Rebsie said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)
	Thanks very much Vic. The diversity is a constant journey of delight for us. And we are building up a new body of work which we haven't posted yet which is even more strange and original ... it will go up as soon as we've decided on a suitable band name. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Andy-bm	Andy-bm said 178 days ago (June 1st, 2009)
	Wow! Not only a stellar performance, but a great job recording it. Your voice sounds spectacular here. //Andy

Epileptic Gibbon	Epileptic Gibbon said 177 days ago (June 2nd, 2009)
	Not much to say But well done, you two. A beautiful performance. Check out my latest song called Fiddler Off the Roof w/Komrade K & Caroline

kassia	kassia said 171 days ago (June 7th, 2009)
	absolute pure beauty of all the pieces you have done together - this might just be my favorite. rebsie's vocals are perfection - pitch, tone, inflection. and gorgeously supported by a bed of daniels, soft and gentle. stunning for sure. Check out my latest song called Deep Majesty

Henke	Henke said 137 days ago (July 11th, 2009)
	Very sweet Good singing as always! Makes me wonder, though, how this strange language you are singing in came to be... ;-) (At least pronunciation vs spelling-wise...) Take care! /Henke Check out my latest song called Heading for Alpha Centauri (mj space race 2009)

Artist Info

Name: Rebsie Fairholm

NEW ALBUM "SEVEN STAR GREEN" NOW AVAILABLE! I'm a singer and musician (12-string guitar, celtic harp, etc) rooted in British traditional music and veering off into the psychedelic, dark, experimental and unusual. I'm very blessed to have... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

A cappella music is vocal music or singing without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. A cappella is Italian for from the chapel (music); the term is due to restrictions on the use of instruments in medieval c

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