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A' Chlach Ionmhainn

The Dear Stone

A chlach ionmhainn, Lia Fàil neo Clach Sgàin, fàilte! Chuala mi an naidheachd éibhinn gum bi thu saor bho ghlas na cathrach, 's gun till thu ruinn a-rithist gun dàil. A chlach ionmhainn, is ionmhainn leinn thu; mallachd air an rìgh a ghoid thu Se Òrd nan Albannach a bh' aca airsan, an rìgh a rinn cron oirnn 's a thug sgrios; fada an leigheas, tha fhios againn. Lia Fàil neo Clach Sgàin, fàilte! Gun till thu dhachaigh a-nis sàbhailte gum faod féin-riaghladh a bhith againn, a-chum 's gum bi ar tìr neo-eisimeil; gun till thu ruinn is sinn a' feitheamh ceud mìle fàilte a chur ort! Se mo dhùrachd nach till thu a-chaoidh gu Lunnainn, a chlach ionmhainn. Niall B MacFhionghuin (1925—)

Dear stone, Lia Fail or Stone of Scone, welcome! The joyous news I've heard that from the coronation chair you'll be set free, that you'll return to us without delay. Dear stone, we love you dearly; cursed be the king who stole you. The Hammer of the Scots they called him, who brought harm upon us, wrought destruction; long the healing, as we know. Lia Fail or Stone of Scone, welcome! Now may you return home safely that we may govern ourselves once more, that our land be independent; return to us for we are waiting to welcome you a hundred thousand times! That you may never return to London is my earnest wish, dear stone. Neil B MacKinnon (Mull and Aberdeen)

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