Calum Zachary

Calum Zachary [Calum Sgaire] lived in the middle of the 19th century at Bosta (see image above), in the island of Great Bernera, off the west coast of Lewis. He fell in love with Margaret MacLeod from Breaclete, but her family wanted her to marry an older but wealthier man. The couple decided to elope, but missed each other in the night. Disappointed and convinced the other had reneged, Calum sailed for Quebec the next day on an emigrant ship from Tolsta Chaolais, never to return. Margaret married the older man, but even tried to drown herself whilst the rest of the village were still celebrating the wedding. She died within a year of a broken heart. If you click on the link above, you'll hear a recording by Gaelic folkgroup Gleusda, during a performance during the Royal National Mod in October 2005. The lyrics can be found below.

Sèist:	Chorus (after each verse):
Air fail a ra u	Air fail a ra u
Fail eile 's a ra u	Fail eile 's a ra u
Fail eile 's a ra u	Fail eile 's a ra u
Hogaidh o 's na ho i	Hogaidh o 's na ho i
Och a Rìgh gur trom m' osna	Oh Lord, I've a heavy, sighing heart
'S fhada ò mo luaidh anochd mi	My love is far away from me tonight
Mise tuath air Ceann Lochlainn	I'm away in the north at the Cape of Norway
'S ise aig Loch an Fhir Mhaoil	While she's at Loch an Fhir Mhaoil
Dh' fhalbh i, ghlais i leinn dhaichaidh	It set sail for home with us
Chuir i chuairt ud air Arcaibh	It sailed 'round Orkney
Cruinn ùra 's siùil gheala	New masts and white sails on her
Tìde mhara 's i leinn	She was running with the tide
Ged is math a bhith seòladh	Though it is enjoyable to be sailing
'S olc a tha i 'gam chòrdadh	I cannot say I'm enjoying it just now
'S mòr gum b' fheàrr a bhith 'm Bòsta	I would rather be in Bosta
Cur an eòrna 'san raon	Planting the corn in the field
Ach nam bithinn-sa aig baile	If only I could be at home
A shamhradh 's a dh' earrach	Both summer and spring
'S mi nach leigeadh mo leannan	I would never allow another man
Ri balach gun strìth	To have my love without a fight