Fear a' Bhàta


Fear a' Bhàta is a Scots Gaelic song from the late 18th century, written by an unknown author pining for her beloved, a fisherman at sea. The song captures the emotions that she endured.

Lyrics

There are many versions of the lyrics and of the melody:

Analysis

According to legend, the poem was written by Sìne NicFhionnlaigh of Tong who was courting a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath. In some versions of the legend they were married not long after she composed the song. Contemporary scholars and 19th century sources describe the author of the poem as unknown.