PIBROCH O DONUIL DUBH

 Click here for the Pipe Tune of the same name

See the sheet music here

The oldest datable Gaelic song is Piobaireachd Dhomhnuill Dhuibh according to John MacInnes, School of Scottish Studies, Edinburgh University

The music to Piobaireachd Dhomhnuill Dhuibh is in the Purser book mentioned in 1421 and a recorded version is on the Clan Alba Album.

This tune is thought to be named for Donald Dubh, 11th chief of the Clan Cameron, who led the clan from 1400 to 1460. There is some evidence that the tune evolved from Ceol Mor: a fiddle version was published by James Oswald in 1760. Sir Walter Scott also put lyrics to it in 1816 (See below).

The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) used it as a March Past, and it is the Regimental March Past of The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons). It is widely regarded as probably the best pipe band march ever.

I'm not sure what "datable" means here. Francis Collison in the "Traditional and National music of Scotland", mentions 'Ceann na Drochaid Mhoridh' (The end of the great bridge) as being traditionally held as being composed at the battle of Inverlochy in 1427. Of the claim of Donald Dubh to be contemporary with it, he calls it "impossible to say".

 

Pibroch o' Donuil Dubh, Pibroch o' Donuil,

Wake thy wild voice anew, summon Clan Conuil,

Come away, come away, hark to the summons!

Come in your war array, Gentles and Commons!

Come from deep glen, and from mountain so rocky,

The war pipe and pennon are at Inverlochy.

 

Come ev'ry hill plaid and true heart that wears one,

Come ev'ry  steel blade and strong hand that bears one!

Leave untended the herd, the flock without shelter;

Leave the corpse uninterr'd, the bride at the altar;

Leave the deer, leave the steer, leave nets and barges,

Come with your fighting gear, broadswords and targes!

 

Come as the winds come when forests are rended;

Come as the waves come when navies are stranded;

Faster come, faster come, faster and faster;

Chief, vassal, page and groom, tenant and master!

Fast they come, fast they come, see how they gather!

Wide waves the eagle plume, blended with heather.

 

Cast your plaids, draw your blades, forward each man set!

Pibroch o' Donuil Dubh, knell for the onset!

   Sir Walter Scott 1816