Mary M. Macdonald (1789 – 1872)

Ma­ry M. Mac­don­ald (1789-1872) was a Scottish Hymnist. Daughter of a Bap­tist cler­ic she was born near Bu­nes­san, on the Isle of Mull, in the In­ner He­bri­des. Ma­ry lived in the vill­age of Can­can. She wrote both songs and po­e­try in Gael­ic.

Leanabh an àigh (Bunessan)

Lyrics

Leanabh an àigh, an Leanabh aig Màiri
Rugadh san stàball, Rìgh nan Dùl;
Thàinig do’n fhàsach, dh’fhuiling ’n ar n-àite
Son’ iad an àireamh bhitheas dhà dlùth!

Ged a bhios leanabain aig rìghrean na talmhainn
An greadhnachas garbh is anabarr mùirn,
’S geàrr gus am falbh iad, ’s fasaidh iad anfhann,
An àilleachd ’s an dealbh a’ searg san ùir.

Cha b’ionann ’s an t-Uan thàinig gur fuasgladh
Iriosal, stuama ghluais e’n tùs;
E naomh gun truailleachd, Cruithfhear an t-sluaigh,
Dh’éirich e suas le buaidh o ùir.

Leanabh an àigh, mar dh’aithris na fàidhean;
’S na h-àinglean àrd’, b’e miann an sùl;
’S E ’s airidh air gràdh ’s air urram thoirt dhà
Sona an àireamh bhitheas dhà dlùth.

An English translation can be found here: Child in a manger

Recordings

The music used in this recording belongs in the Public Domain, but the Performance rights ℗ belong to Richard M S Irwin. You may click the Download Button to obtain the MP3 recording for use in Worship (including online services) or for personal use only. The track may also be found on various online music systems, which can be used for downloads if they are listed in the section below. For other uses of the recording, please Contact Us.

Donation

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Details

  • Tune: Bunessan
  • Meter: 55 54 D
  • Style: Traditional Gaelic, Celtic, Scottish, Carol
  • Church Year: Christmas
  • Composer: Unknown
  • arranger: Richard Mark Stephen Irwin (b. 1955)
  • Lyricist: Ma­ry M. Mac­don­ald (1789-1872)
  • Music and Lyrics Copyright Public Domain
  • Performance Copyright ℗ 2016 Richard M S Irwin. Certain rights reserved

 

Child in the manger (Bunessan)

Lyrics

Child in the manger, Infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger, Lord of all,
Child Who inherits all our transgressions,
All our demerits on Him fall.

Once the most holy Child of salvation
Gently and lowly lived below.
Now as our glorious mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious o’er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder;
Angels behold Him on His throne.
Worthy our Savior of all our praises;
Happy forever are His own.

The original Gaelic version of this carol can be found here: Leanabh an àigh

Recordings

The music used in this recording belongs in the Public Domain, but the Performance rights ℗ belong to Richard M S Irwin. You may click the Download Button to obtain the MP3 recording for use in Worship (including online services) or for personal use only. The track may also be found on various online music systems, which can be used for downloads if they are listed in the section below. For other uses of the recording, please Contact Us.

Donation

If you use our hymns, please consider a donation to help keep this service free.   Click Here to Download

 

Details

  • Tune: Bunessan
  • Meter: 55 54 D
  • Style: Traditional Gaelic, Celtic, Scottish, Carol
  • Church Year: Christmas
  • Composer: Unknown
  • arranger: Richard Mark Stephen Irwin (b. 1955)
  • Lyricist: Ma­ry M. Mac­don­ald (1789-1872) in Gaelic
  • English language Translator: Lach­lan Mac­bean (1853-1931) in Hymnal: Songs and Hymns of the Gael (published Ed­in­burgh, Scot­land: 1888).
  • Music and Lyrics Copyright Public Domain
  • Performances Copyright © 2016 Richard M S Irwin. Certain rights reserved