Designed & produced by Eric Maclewis
© ericdentinger.com
2008-2024
The song has been composed by John Roderick Bannerman in 1934, in honour of Mary C. MacNiven (1905-1997) who won this year a price at the National Mòd.
Bannerman, born in South Uist (Outer Hebrids) was through his entire life interested in Gaelic culture while Mary became a famous Gaelic singer, almost until her passing. Anyway, they won't get married together…
Bannerman wrote of course the lyrics in Gaelic language.
Sir Hugh Roberton, conductor of the Glasgow Orpheus Choir, heard this song and wrote his lyrics version, beginning a successful cooperation with Bannerman.
This version is far away from the event that inspired the tune and the “new” song, published in 1936 under the title of The Lewis Bridal Song, did not mention neither the original author - who's name became Dr. Peter A. MacLeod! - nor the Gaelic version of the lyrics…
The original tune could in fact come from the Isle of Lewis and could have been used by Bannerman.
Anyway, Roberton's lyrics became famous and are most of the time used for the air.
Wedding tune, Mairi's Wedding can also be played for Highland dancing or Scottish Country Dance.
The Lewis Bridal Song
(Sir Hugh Roberton - 1936)
Step we gaily, on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row on row
All for Mairi's wedding
Over hill-ways up and down
Myrtle green and bracken brown
Past the shielings through the town
All for sake o' Mairi
(chorus)
Red her cheeks as rowans are
Bright her eye as any star
Fairest o'them a' by far
Is our darling Mairi
(chorus)
Plenty herring, plenty meal
Plenty peat to fill her creel
Plenty bonny bairns as weel
That's the toast for Mairi
Step we gaily, on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row on row
All for Mairi's wedding
Mairi's Wedding
LYRICS
- score written by Eric Maclewis with CelticPipes
MARCH