Patrick MacDonald, Collection of Highland Vocal Airs

Published in 1784

A collection of Gaelic song airs, set wth treble and bass. Although this is a key early collection of Gaelic song airs, because the tunes have all been tiedied up and many arranged with conventional harmonies the book does need to be used with caution. The substantial preface is of interest in showing an early attempt to understand and explain Gaelic music.

Complete title list from the Wighton Collection.

A modern performing edition for traditional musicians, published by Taigh na Teud, is available here from the Emporium.

Fenian lay tunes in Patrick MacDonald's collection

The archive of the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh has a tape made in 1963, of William Matheson setting verses from published or manuscript copies of lay texts, to the tunes notated in Patrick MacDonald's book. These have now been published online by Tobar an Dualchais

Click here for more info on the lays

No. 59, Bas Dhiarmid O Duinn - The death of Dermid. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Laoidh Dhiarmaid

No. 115, Dán Dheirg Dargo - A very ancient air. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Dán Dheirg

No. 116, Laoidh Ghara ’snam ban - An ancient air. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Laoidh Gharaidh ’s nam Ban

No. 117, Ossian an déigh nam Fion - Ossian’s soliloquy on the death of all his contemporary Heroes. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Oisean an dèidh na Fèinne

No. 118, Laoidh an amadain mhoir - An ancient air. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Laoidh an Amadain Mhòir

No. 119, Tha sgeul beag agam air fionn - An ancient air. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Tha Sgeul beag Agam air Fionn

No. 120, Dàn Liughair - An ancient air. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Dàn Liuthair

No. 121, Dàn Fhraoich - An ancient air. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Laoidh Fhraoich

No. 122, Manus. Listen to William Matheson demonstrating this tune with the words of Laoidh Mhànuis

Simon Chadwick