Lyrics: Air An Traigh

A look back to life as a boy in North Uist

'S b'fheàrr gun robh mi 'r ais a rithis
Coiseachd cas ruisgte air an traigh
le mo dha laimh 'na mo phòcaid
's ri mo thaobh, Anna mo ghràidh
Bha sinn òg is bha sinn spòrsal
Cluichd le sòlas is le gair
Air a'mhonadh 's air an locha
'S measg an arbhair as a'bhathaich

'S nuair a thig e gu am feasgair
'G iarraidh crodh shuas air a'bheinn
'S dheanamh dhachaidh air 'ur socair
Togail orain 's togail ruinn

Bhiodh sinn sgith nuair nochdadh oidhche
'G ol bainne fuar taobh teine blàth
'S bhiodh sinn granail dol dhan leabaidh
Ach am màrach 'g eirigh tràth

I wish that I was back there again
Walking barefoot on the strand
My two hands in my pockets
And you by my side, Anne my love

We were young and full of joy
Playing with contentment and laughter
On the moor, on the loch
And amongst the corn in the barn

When it came to the late afternoon
Bringing the cattle in from the hill
Lingering on our way back home
Singing songs

We were tired when night fell
Drinking cold milk beside the warm fire
With no desire for sleep
And rising early the next morning