From the recording From Uig to Duluth
Lyrics
Màiri laghach
Refrain:
Hò mo Mhàiri laghach, ‘s tu mo Mhàiri ghrinn
Hò mo Mhàiri laghach, ‘s tu mo Mhàiri ghrinn
Hò mo Mhàiri laghach, ‘s tu mo Mhàiri ghrinn
Màiri bhòidheach lurach rugadh anns na glinn.
B’og bha mis’ ‘is Màiri ‘m fàsaichean Ghlinn-Smeòil
‘Nuair chuir macan-Bhenuis saighead gheur ‘nam fheòil
Tharruing sinn ri chèile ann an eud cho beò
‘S nach robh air an t-saoghal a thug gaol cho mòr.
Tha d’fhalt bachlach dualach mu do chluais a’ fàs
Thug nàdur gach buaidh dha thar gach gruaig ‘a bha
Chan eil dragh no tuairgne ‘na chuir suas gach là
Chas gach ciabh mu ‘n cuairt dheth ‘s e ‘na dhuail gu bàrr.
Cha robh inneal ciùil a thuradh riamh fo’n ghrèin
A dh’aithriseadh air chòir gach ceòl bhiodh againn fhèin
Uiseag air gach lònan, smeòrach air gach gèig
Cuthag ‘is “gug-gug” aic’ madainn chùbhraidh chèit’.
Oh my winsome Mary, Mary fondly free
Oh my winsome Mary, Mary mine to be
Handsome winsome Mary, who so fair as she
My own highland lassie, dear as life to me.
The singer says he has often been with Mary and "there seemed 'neath heaven No such loving two!" He would prize her as his bride "far more Than all the treasure Europe has in store" He describes her beauty. The birds singing to them gives them more pleasure than artful music.
The singer fantasizes about roving with Mary through the woods. He would scorn wealth rather than give her up. AUTHOR: John Macdonald (1766-1865) (tune: Lachlan M'Kenzie)