LL-L "Songs" 2003.03.05 (06) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 05.MAR.2003 (06) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: Allison Turner-hansen <athansen at arches.uga.edu
<mailto:athansen at arches.uga.edu>>
Subject: LL-L "Songs" 2003.03.04 (11) [E]

Dear Gabriele and Ron,
Thank you both so much for the words (both sets) to "Land o' the
Leal." I did wonder about the meaning of "leal", and I wanted to know if
the song was traditional or composed. This song never fails to bring
tears to my eyes! I am about to go to the website to listen. I *am*
curious about the other tune. Maybe I can find it.

Allison Turner-Hansen

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com <mailto:sassisch at yahoo.com>>
Subject: Songs

You are welcome, Allison. Nice to know that there are quite a few of us who
love Scottish songs.

> I did wonder about the meaning of "leal", ....

In case anyone still wonders, "the land o' the leal" ("the land of the
loyal/faithful") refers to the afterlife, Heaven. Yes, it *is* a very sad
song and reminds us of the fact that people tended to die young, often of
diseases that are now totally preventable and curable, and that infant and
child mortality was sky-high, with hardly a family that was not affected by
it.

I'll take a rough stab at translating the word (and would welcome help):

> I'm wearin' awa', John
I’m fading away, John
> Like snaw-wreaths in thaw, John,
Like snow-wreaths [?] during thaw, John,
> I'm wearin' awa'
I’m fading away
> To the land o' the leal.
To the land of the loyal.
> There 's nae sorrow there, John,
There’s no sorrow there, John,
> There 's neither cauld nor care, John,
There’s neither cold nor care, John,
> The day is aye fair
The weather is always fine
> In the land o' the leal.
In the land of the loyal.
>
> Our bonnie bairn 's there, John,
Our lovely child is there, John,
> She was baith gude and fair, John;
She was both good and fair, John;
> And O! we grudged her sair
And - o! - we hated to see her go
> To the land o' the leal.
To the land of the loyal.
> But sorrow's sel' wears past, John,
But sorrow itself will pass, John,
> And joy 's a-coming fast, John,
And joy will come fast, John,
> The joy that 's aye to last
The joy that will last forever
> In the land o' the leal.
In the land of the loyal.
>
> Sae dear 's the joy was bought, John,
So dear is the joy that’s been bought, John,
> Sae free the battle fought, John,
So free the battle fought, John,
> That sinfu' man e'er brought
That sinful man ever brought
> To the land o' the leal.
To the land of the loyal.
> O, dry your glistening e'e, John!
O, dry your glistening eyes, John!
> My saul langs to be free, John,
My soul longs to be free, John,
> And angels beckon me
And angels beckon me
> To the land o' the leal.
To the land of the loyal.
>
> O, haud ye leal and true, John!
O, remain loyal and honest, John!
> Your day it 's wearin' through, John,
Your days are passing by, John,
> And I'll welcome you
And I’ll welcome you
> To the land o' the leal.
To the land of the loyal.
> Now fare-ye-weel, my ain John,
Now fare thee well, my own John,
> This warld's cares are vain, John,
This world’s cares are vain, John,
> We'll meet, and we'll be fain,
We’ll meet, and we’ll be fine,
> In the land o' the leal.
In the land of the loyal.

"The Land o' the Leal" (with music):
<http://sassisch.net/rhahn/lowlands/land-o-the-leal.htm>

Thanks.
Reinhard/Ron

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