AN SEANN DUANAIRE seann bhàrdachd air a toirt am follais a-rithist leis an Dr Mìcheal Newton	AN SEANN DUANAIRE old poetry brought to light again by Dr Michael Newton
Na Tairbh	The Bulls
Seo rannan a rinn an t-Urramach Dòmhnall MacCaluim a bhuineadh do Chreag Innis ann an Earra Ghaidheal. Bha na rannan stèidhichte air seann sgeulachd a dh'inns-eadh na Gaidheil a bha a' tuineadh taobh Loch Laomainn. Tha an sgeulachd uile gu lèir, agus beagan ma deidhinn, anns an leabhar ùr agam Bho Chluaidh gu Calasraid (faic an lèirmheas san iris seo), maille ri co-chruinneachadh tomadach de bheul-aithris nan Gaidheal as an sgìre sin.	These verses were composed by the Rev Donald MacCallum who belonged to Creag Innis in Argyll. The verses were based on an old tale that would be told by the Gaels living by Loch Lomond. The entire tale and some information on it is in my new book From Clyde to Callander (see review in this issue), along with an extensive collection of the oral tradition of the Gaelic speakers of that area.
Tha an sgeulachd a' sealltainn mar a bha an seann chrodh Gaidhealach dubh seach an fheadhainn ruadh a tha bitheanta anns an latha an-diugh. Tha i cuideachd a' nochdadh fèin-mhisneachd agus foghainteachd nan Gaidheal bho shean.	The tale reveals that the old Highland cattle were black and not the reddish colour that is common nowadays, It also shows the self-confidence and fortitude of the Gaels of old.
Tarbh dearg mach a Sasainn Thàinig 'mhaslachadh Albann Is air gualainn Beinn Mhurlaig Rinn e bùraich bha calma: "'S truagh an dùthaich!" "'S truagh an dùthaich!"	A red bull came from England. To disgrace Scotland And on the shoulder of Ben Vorlich He made a brave bellowing: "What a pathetic country!" "What a pathetic country!"
Ach 'na choinneamh gun sgàth air Gun deach tarbh dubh Loch Laomainn Is thar Poll Chrò don ùmaidh Tabhairt dùbhlain do ghlaodh e: "Cò as thu, 'mhic?" "Cò as thu, 'mhic?"	But fearless, across from him, Went the black bull of Loch Lomond And the brute went over Poll Chrò Giving him a challenge he cried: "Where are you from, son?" "Where are you from, son?"
Sin le puthail a shròine Togail ceò bha dalladh Leigeil ris uile-thrèineachd B' àrd a dh'èigh tarbh Shasainn: "Tìr do nàmhaid!" "Tìr do nàmhaid!"	Then with a snorting of his nose Raising a blinding mist He released all of his might And the English bull yelled loudly: "From the land of your enemy!" "From the land of your enemy!"
Sadadh phlocan 's na speuraibh Ciod a dh'èireadh dha sealltainn? A-nis tarbh dubh Loch Laomainn Seo an aoigheachd a sheall e: "Bheir mi blàr dhuit!" "Bheir mi blàr dhuit!"	Casting clods into the heavens What did he happen to see? Now the black bull of Loch Lomond Showed him the following hospitality: "I will give you battle!" "I will give you battle!"
Ach an tarbh dearg a Sasainn Cha do chrathaich a àite - Chrom e 'cheann thun na còmhraig Agus ghròc e gu dàicheil: "Thig, a nàbaidh!" "Thig, a nàbaidh!"	But the red bull from England, Did not stir from his place - He lowered his head toward combat And he roared majestically: "Come, neighbour!" "Come, neighbour!"
Nis mu thimcheall Loch Laomainn Chaidh mo laochan, an tarbh dubh Is air gualainn Beinn Mhurlaig Feuch ga ionnsaigh bu gharbh e: "Seo 'ad dhàil mi!" "Seo 'ad dhàil mi!"	Now around Loch Lomond Went my hero, the black bull And on the shoulder of Ben Vorlich He tried to give him a rough assault: "I'm coming at you now!" "I'm coming at you now!"
Chuir an tarbh dubh gu chùlaibh Fear an dùbhlain bu bhragail Agus ruidhl clach mhòr leis Air an lòn gu bhith cantainn: "Tha mi ciùrrte" "Tha mi ciùrrte"	The black bull pushed backwards The braggart challenger And he reeled down a great stone Onto the green so that he said: "I'm wounded!" "I'm wounded!"
Nis an tarbh dubh a Murlaig Sheas fad ùine ga choimhead Agus phill e gu h-uallach - Seo an nuallan a bh'aige: "Buaidh don dùthaich!" "Buaidh don dùthaich!"	Now the black bull from Vorlich Stood for a while looking at him And he returned proudly - This was his rejoicing: "Victory to this country!" "Victory to this country!"

You can find more articles in the archive under Gaelic Column and information on the organization at C.L.I.