American Folklife Center, Library of Congress Alan Lomax Collection (AFC 2004/004) folder 04.02.17 field work British Isles, 1950-1958 correspondence, index - 20 - A phiuthrag 's a phiuthar (Little Sister sung by Kitty McCleod & group of 8 women for BBC in Glasgow, 1951. In the Gaelic speaking districts of Scotland [there are] one can still find hundreds of [folktales] fairytales and not a little actual belief in fairies, mermaids, seal women and other supernatural beings of Celtic imagination. The last fairy was seen on Barra by two children [within the decade] less than ten years ago. People still gather at the fireside of the story teller to listen to tales, [some of which last an entire night] where a favourite theme is the mortal stolen by the fairies and imprisoned in the fairy knoll. [In] The song on this record tells how a girl who has been spirited away speaks to her mortal sister. This record was made for a BBC broadcast and represents the flourishing urban tradition of concert performances of Gaelic folksong. Kitty MacLeod of Lewis, a school teacher, is regarded by experts as the finest stylist among Gaelic folk singers, and the women supporting her are all [expert] folk singers from the Hebrides at present resident in Glasgow. This selection and numbers 24, 25, 26, and 27 represent the attempt by younger singers to preserve the old songs in their antique purity of style . . .This follows only a portion of the song. [*Scotland*] Palais du Chaillot ATP Paris, 6, France, Oct 10, 1950. Dear Dr. Campbell, I believe you will know me from my various publications in the field of American folk song. So, without further introduction, I would like to invite your help in a project of interest to all folk song specialists... A world library of folk and primitive music... The Columbia Record Company of New York has asked me to assemble material for this librarry for them--- one long playing 12 inch record --about one hour of music from every nation or region--- and all the material authentic folk song, recorded wherever possible in the field from country singers and players... I haven't yet seen Brailoiu but I plan to work with him so that our two plans will dovetail and supplement one another. As you know, one of my big problems is to find good records made in the British Isles. I have written BBC and Miss Karpeles already. Do you know of other sources? What is the scope of your own collection? Would you be willing to help to edit the British record? Practical details: Each album will have an editor or co-eeitors, authroities in the field, who will be paid a modest honorarium in dollars. Regular royalties will be paid the archives furnishing the material so that singers can receive a recompense or the money can be used for further collecting. That will de at the descetion of the archive. In connection with the British record, sales should be quite good. Actually the conditions of this publication are, for the scientist and folk-music enthusiast practically ideal. Columbia does a fine technical job. They are leaving it up to me and to my colleagues such as Seeger, Herzog, Schiffner, etc., about what should be included. I think that in two or three years a musical library of the peoples of the world might be a reality--- and out of that will come the use of long-playing master records to preserve all our best things from decay. Well, I'm an optimist, but one must be when one sets out on a long job... Would you be so kind as to give me a hand and write me right away because I'm just at the beginning of the long pull. Yours sincerely, Alan Lomax P.S.. I have brought to Europe with me a machine to make master copies. It can be done here. At BBC London. I can even go into the field for supplementary material where necessary, although I don't have much money. [*from J.L. Campbell, Isle of Canna (last part of catalogue issued)*] [*Scotland*] BARRA FOLKLORE COMMITTEE Wire Recordings 31 (the following four spools were recorded by Calum and Annie Johnston at Castlebay on the 3rd & 7th August 1950) A.J. - Annie Johnston C.J. - Calum Johnston Spool XCVIII A.J. & C.J., waulking song, Tha Seathan an diu 'na mharbhan A.J., story, Sgialachd nan Cat 415 C.J., song, Oran Iain 'Ill' Easbuig (twice) A.J., The speech of birds:- An Smeorach An Uiseag An fheannag An fhaoileag An caluman A.J., song, 'S olc an obair do theachdairean cadal A.J. & C.J., waulking song by Nic Iain Fhinn, Cha deid Mor a Bharraidh bhronach A.J., song, Mo chasan dubh (the swan's song) 420 C.J., port, Ruighle nan Cailleach A.J. & C.J., port, Thuirt an gobha "fuirghidh mi" A.J., children's song, Clach nhin mheallain A.J., children's song, Tobar tobar siolaidh A.J., quern song, Bra bra bleith 425 A.J., churning song, Am maid streadh a bha aig Moire BARRA FOLKLORE COMMITTEE - WIRE RECORDINGS. 32 A. J., herding song, Co leis, an crodh druimfhionn ud thall? A. J. & C. J., waulking song, A bhradag dhubh Spool XCIX C. J., slow march, Cro Chintaile (bagpipes). C. J., piobaireachd, Cumha Eachainn Ruaidh nan Cath 425. A. J. & C. J., waulking song, Dh'eirich mi 's cha robh mi sunndach. C. J., song, Sagart beag na Spaine (story connected told by A. J. Tune, Nighean og a' chotain duibh). (sung twice) A. J. & C. J., waulking song, Dh'eirich mi moch maduinn Cheitein. Spool C (7/8/50). A. J. & C. J., waulking song, Tha Seathan an diu 'na mharbhan. ------------, fairy song, E ho ro a Raghnaill ud thall 430. ------------, port, Anna bheag choibhneil bhoidheach. (sung twice) C. J., slow march, Crodh-laoigh nam bodach (bagpipes) C. J., a traditional slow march. C. J., piobaireachd, Thainig mo Righ air tir am Muideart. C. J., selection of traditional reels (bagpipes) 435. A.J. & C.J., [song], Co sud thall air straid na h-eala? ------------, waulking song, 'S muladach mi is mi air m'aineol Spool CI C.J , song, Chaidh moill air mo leirsinn. A.J., Children's game, Co mhiad adharc nir a' bhoc? A.J. & C.J., children's game, C'uin a dh'eug an donn? 440. ----------, ------------, Crom an fhasaich C.J., piobaireachd, Cumha Phadruig Oig (bagpipes). J. L CAMPBELL - WIRE RECORDINGS. 33 Spool CII [Eriskay 26/10/50] Rev. J. MacCormick, Traditional tune of sung Gaelic mass Spool CIII Alasdair Johnston, song Mi 'n diu 's mi fagail Glaschu (made by Roderick Campbell, S. Uist) Angus MacMillan, Baile, song, Cha n-ioghnadh mi bhith muirneach (made by Donald Sinclair, Barra) 445. Donald Cumming, Rudha Ban, song, 'S a Chailin donn nam morshuil. Roderick MacInnes, Baile, song, A Mhairi ged a du'fhalbhainn leat. ------------, song, Ged a gheobhainn-sa mo thagha (made by Fr. Allan Macdonald) A. Johnston, song, 'S tha naigheachd anns na paipeirean (Barra Emigrants' song made by Donald MacKinnon) A. MacMillan, song, Ho ro ghillean nach tiugainn aibh liomsa (le Alasdair Ruairi Lachlainn) 450. D. Cumming, song, Chaidh mi Glaschu nam buth (tune, Bheir mo shoraidh do'n taobh Tuath) Spool CIV This consists of anecdotes, conversation and songs by the reciters on spool CIII recorded unawares. It includes:- Roderick MacInnes, Naigheachdan Eachainn Dhomhnaill Mhoir. Donald Cumming, Naigheachdan mu'n Mhaor Mhor ------ -------, song, Oran nam Muc --------------, song, Banais Mhic Asgaill Spool CV At Peninerine, South Uist, 30/10/50. 455. Duncan Macdonald, heroic tale, Sgeulachd Mhic Righ Lochlainn. (Recorded before. This recording made for the University of St. Francis Xavier at Antigonish, Nova Scotia.) Spool CVI John MacInnes (of South Lochboisdale), port, Ruighle cogan a' chinn mhoir. J. L. CAMPBELL - WIRE RECORDINGS. 34 Spool CVI (contd.) ----------------, ----, Hugari hi ri ha ri Kate Macdonald, port, Teine shios, teine shuas John MacInnes, port, 'S bidh Fionnladh ag innoaradh 460. Anna Macdonald, waulking song, Mo cheist am paidse a bhith 'n Rodhaig. Kate Macdonald, do., Thogainn fonn gun bhith trom/Air an nighinn duinn a bha 'n Cataibh. -------------, song, Oran Ealasaid (tune A Chalumain 'ic Shiomain) D. J. Macdonald, Gaelic translation of Tam o' Shanter made by his uncle Donald MacIntyre. Kate Macdonald, song, Cuirt nan Con 465. -------------, waulking song, Cha labhair mi 'n t-oran. Mrs Macdonald, do., Chaidh mi do'n bheinn. Kate & Anna Macdonald, Marbhaisg air a' mhulad 's buan e (waulking song). Kate Macdonald, waulking song, 'S i nochd a' chaid oidhche 'n fhoghair. Benbecula, 31/10/50. Spool CVII F.M., Fanny MacIsaac; A.M. - Mrs Angus John MacLellan; K.M., - Kate MacCormick. F.M., waulking song, Dhirich mi suas a Bheinn Ghruamach. 470. A.M., do., Tha mulad, tha mulad/Tha lionn dubh orm fhein (-Ach a Mhairghread nan cuireid) K.M., do., Cha deid mise cha deid mi F.M., song, Ho mo nighean donn bhoidheach nan gormshuil meallach F.M., Hymn, Laoidh Muire Moighdin ('S e do bheat ha Muire Moighdin. Words in Fr Allan Macdonald's hymn book) A.M., song, O theab, theab, 's gun do theabadh ar bathadh 475. A.M., do., 'S e so a' bhliadhna chaithriseach J. L. CAMPBELL - WIRE RECORDINGS [35] 475. contd. K.M., waulking song, 'S gura mise tha fo mhulad/Air an tulaich luim fhuair. K.M., do., Di Sathuirne ghabh mi mulad. A.M., do., Nach mise chunnaic an t-ioghnadh K.M., do., Fliuch an oidhche/Nochd 's gur fuar i (few verses only) 480. F.M., song, Gun till mi ma's maireann mi F.M., song, Nighean donn is toil leam thu A.M., song, An oidhche bha banais an taigh Choinnich dhuinn (tune, Cogadh no sith) F.M , song, 'S moch mi 'g eirigh air beagan eislein A.M. & K.M., waulking song, 'Ille dhuinn bhoidhich 485. A.M. & K.M., port, Thuirt an gobha "Fuirghidh mi" F.M., port, Tha i tighinn air an rathad, Cairistiana Chaimbeul A.M. & K.M., port, B'fhearr liom fhin gum beireadh te Lochboisdale, 1/11/50. Spool CVIII Angus MacLellan, Frobost, story, An t-amadan 's an giadh ---------------, -----, Alasdair Fiadhaich aig Drochaid Ruaidh. 490. ---------------, -----, Domhnall Dubh na Cuthaig ---------------, -----, Am Pacman 'san Eilein Sgitheanach ---------------, -----, Fianuigheachd. Series of anecdotes about the Fianna. Garry and the women. Why Finn's sword had to go to the smithy. Conan and the Giant. The bodach carrying 18 deer on one stick pursued by Caoilte. The cauldron in which the water froze as the fire beneath it got warmer. The greatest danger Caoilte was ever in in the Cailleach Ruadh's cave. J.L. Campbell - Wire Recordings. 36 490 contd. The greatest danger Osgar was ever in when the Daughter of the King of Norway wanted to marry the man the shoe filled. O. being married already refused. Kidnapped to Norway to be killed by rescued by Diarmuid. How the relation of these tales released the Giant's servant from enchantment. Spool CIX Angus Campbell, Froboat, two marches (bagpipes) ---------------, piobaireachd, Donald Dugald MacKay's Lament. 495. Angus MacLellan, story, Fear Chorbnaig agus Fear Chliaite. Gerinish, 2/11/50 Spool CX Miss Penny MacPhee, Iochdar, waulking song, Mhurchaidh bhig a chinn a chonais. Mrs Nicolson, Iochdar, song Mo nigheandonn a cornaig. ---------------, waulking song, Gu de nis a ni mise? Mis MacPhee, do., Mise chunnaic an diu an t-ioghnadh. 500. ------------------, do., Cha labhair mi 'n t-oran. ----------------, alasdair oig 'ic 'ic Neachdainn ----------------, do., A'Bhean iadach. Mrs. Nicholson, lament, 'S ged thug ugam peann is dubh. (by D.A. Macdonald Dalibrog to the men drowned in Loch Eynort) 505. Mrs Nicolson, song, O luaidh, 's truagh nach deachaidh sinn Spool CXI Mrs Nicolson, lament, Cran Mhgr Scoreas (Kenneth Paterson's lament for Fr Rigg, ho dies in 1897) Miss MacPhee, waulking song, Thogainn fonn gun bhith trom. Note. Nos 505 and 507 as well as No. 470 are spoilt by what is apparently a bad microphone connection. 37 J. L. CAMPBELL - WIRE RECORDINGS. 505, contd. ----------, Ossianic ballad, Duan na Builgheartaich (sung) ----------, waulking song, 'S i nochd a' chiad oidhche 'n fhoghair. 510. John MacLeod, anecdote, Fionnladh a' gabhail urnaigh Miss MacPhee, Hogmanay ballad, Duan na Calluig (sung) ----------, waulking song, Di Sathuirne ghabh mi mulad John MacLeod, song, Mo ghaol an te nach diobair mi Spool CXII Miss MacPhee, waulking song, Cha deid miss cha deid mi 515. ----------, "Frith" (the prayer said when making a divination) ----------, port, Domhnall Dubh nan Go bhar ----------, ----, Thuirt an gobha "fuirghidh mi" (odd verses contributed by other people present) ----------, -----, Seanmhair liath nan riobaich. (Spool CXII is not altogether satisfactory. As the batteries were beginning to get low by this time, it is made at slightly less than the correct speed. Also Nos. 516-518 are blemished by the same defect that spoiled Not. 470, 505, and 507. Mrs Nicolson and Miss MacPhee, who is related to Mrs Angus John MacLellan recorded in Benbecula, are remarkably fine folksingers, and some of these recordings such as Nos. 496 498, 508, 511 and 512 are of outstanding interest and quality. Spool CXIII Lochboisdale 3/11/50 Peter MacLellan, Altachadh Leapa (traditional bedside prayer) This is a good recording also. Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.