Seanchaidh na Coille Read online

  Seanchaidh na Coille

  The Memory-Keeper of the Forest

  Anthology of Scottish-Gaelic Literature of Canada

  Michael Newton, Editor

  Copyright © 2015 Michael Newton

  All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Cape Breton University Press recognizes fair dealing uses under the Copyright Act (Canada). Responsibility for the research and permissions obtained for this publication rests with the author.

  Cape Breton University Press recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia and the support received for its publishing program from the Canada Council for the Arts Block Grants Program. We are pleased to work in partnership with these bodies to develop and promote our cultural resources.

  Cover image:: Governor of Rupert’s Land on a tour of inspection [Governor George Simpson]. HBC’s 1926 calendar from a painting by L.L. Fitzgerald (from a photo of a painting by Cyrus C. Cuneo) - HBCA P-390. Hudson’s Bay Company Archives. Provincial Archives of Manitoba.

  Cover design: Cathy MacLean Design, Chéticamp, NS

  Layout: Mike Hunter, Port Hawkesbury and Sydney, NS

  Copyediting: Katie Yantzi, Toronto, ON; Catriona Parsons, Antigonish, NS.

  First printed in Canada.

  Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

  Newton, Michael Steven, 1965-, author, translator

  Seanchaidh na coille = The memory-keeper of the forest : anthology of Scottish-Gaelic literature of Canada / Michael Newton.

  The author contextualizes specific Gaelic works, recounts them, and offers a translation.

  Includes bibliographical references and index.

  Issued in print and electronic formats.

  Text chiefly in English; some text in Scottish Gaelic.

  ISBN 978-1-77206-016-4 (paperback).--ISBN 978-1-77206-017-1 (pdf).--

  ISBN 978-1-77206-018-8 (epub).--ISBN 978-1-77206-019-5 (mobi)

  1. Canadian literature (Gaelic). 2. Canadian literature (Gaelic)--History

  and criticism. 3. Canadian literature (Gaelic)--Themes, motives. 4. Canadian

  literature--Scottish Canadian authors. 5. Canadian literature--Scottish

  Canadian authors--History and criticism. I. Title. II. Title: Memory-keeper

  of the forest.

  PS8089.5.S26N49 2015 C810.9’89163 C2015-903574-0

  C2015-903575-9

  Cape Breton University Press

  1250 Grand Lake Road

  Sydney, NS B1P 6L2 CA

  www.cbupress.ca

  Seanchaidh na Coille

  The Memory-Keeper of the Forest

  Anthology of Scottish-Gaelic Literature of Canada

  Michael Newton, Editor

  CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

  SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA

  Do dh’Eòin G. MacFhionghain

  Caraid nan Gàidheal Canadach

  Portrait from the archives of the Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

  79-1005-3985. ca.1910. Photographer Unknown.

  Praise for Seanchaidh na Coille

  The Memory-Keeper of The Forest

  An t-Ollamh Roibeart Dunbar

  Cathair Chànanan, Litreachais, Eachdraidh agus Àrsaidheachdan

  Ceilteach, Ceannard Roinn na Ceiltis agus Eòlas na h-Alba

  Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann

  ’S e an cruinneachadh saoibhir seo de bhàrdachd agus rosg Gàidhlig à Canada na chruinneachadh as iomlaine dhen litreachas sin a bha againn a-riamh, agus bidh e na ghoireas sònraichte, gun choimeas fad bhliadhnaichean mòra san àm ri teachd. Tha an t-Oll. Newton air obair shuaicheanta a dhèanamh ann a bhith a’ lorg agus a’ mìneachadh gu gleusta an uiread de stuth taitneach, agus anns an dòigh sin a’ sealltainn dhuinn cho iomadh-fhillte is a bha agus a tha beatha nan Gàidheal anns gach àite air feadh Chanada anns am faighear iad. Bidh na h-eadar-theangachaidhean ealanta aige air leth feumail do leughadairean gun Ghàidhlig. Bidh an leabhar barraichte seo cho feumail is a ghabhas do sgoilearan agus oileanaich, do luchd-rannsachaidh, agus do dhuine sam bith aig a bheil ùidh anns a’ phàirt chudromaich seo ann an eachdraidh de dh’ ioma-chultarachd agus ioma-chànanas Chanada, agus ann an cultar na Gàidhlig san fharsaingeachd.

  Dr. Robert Dunbar

  Chair of Celtic Languages, Literature, History and Antiquities,

  Head of Celtic and Scottish Studies

  University of Edinburgh

  This extremely rich collection of Gaelic poetry and prose literature from Canada is the single most comprehensive collection of such material we have ever had, and will be an outstanding and unique resource for a long time to come. Dr. Newton has done a remarkable job in retrieving and expertly contextualizing a large amount of fascinating material, showing the rich variety and national extent of the Gaelic experience in Canada. His sensitive and skillful translations open up this material to an English-speaking readership. This outstanding book will be of inestimable value to students, researchers and anyone interested in an important strand in Canada’s multicultural and multilingual identity and in Gaelic culture more generally.

  Lodaidh MacFhionghain, Tagraiche dha na Gàidheil, Ceannard

  Iomairtean na Gàidhlig is Bàrd

  Tha an co-chruinneachadh seo a’ toirt am follais ann am faclan is an cànan nan Gàidheal fhéin – aig a’ robh tùs ann an Gàidhealtachd na h-Albann – an eachdraidh cho-fhillte, mì-bhreithnichte, dhoilleir fad linntean anns a’ Cho-chomann Chanéideanach agus an làmh a bh’aca air Uachdaranachd Chanada. Tha e a’ sealltainn do mhuinntir Chanada cho fada is farsuing ’s a bha tuineachadh nan Gàidheal aig àm a’ Cho-chaidreachais: na suidheachaidhean poileataigeach, sòisealta is eaconamach a mhùchaich cha mhór an cànan agus an dearbh-aithne chultarach; agus tha e a’ sònrachadh na h-aon mhór-roinneadh ’s an dùthaich ’s a’ là an diugh far a bheil Gàidheil agus a’ Ghàidhlig agus a cultar a’ leanaid agus a’ fantainn mar choimhearsnachd bheò; is mar a ’s urrainn dhan roinn seo a bhith ’na goireas do fheadhainn a tha airson ceangal ás ùr a dhèanadh ri’n dualchas Ghàidhealach ann an roinntean eile na dùthcha. ’S ann ’s a’ leabhar seo goireas eireachdail do dhuine sam bith a tha ’sgrìobhadh neo a’ bruidhinn air, no a’ cur an gnìomh, iomairtean a bhuineas dha na Gàidheil is an cànan is an cultar anns a’ cho-theacsa Chanéideanach.

  Lewis MacKinnon, Poet, Gaels’ Advocate and Executive Director of Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs

  This anthology brings to light in the words and language of the Gaels themselves – whose origins were the Highlands and Islands of Scotland – their long, complex, misunderstood, obscure history in Canadian Society and their role in the Canadian State. Newton demonstrates to Canadians how far and widespread the settlement of Gaels was at the time of Confederation: the political, social and economic circumstances that almost smothered their language and cultural identity. The only remaining jurisdiction in the country, Nova Scotia, is where Gaels and their language and culture persist in a vestigial and active communal sense, and can be an asset to those who want to reconnect with their Gaelic heritage in other regions of the country. For anyone who is writing on, speaking of or establishing initiatives pertaining to Gaels and their language and culture in the Canadian context, this book is an excellent resource.

  Dr. Silke Stroh,

  Assistant Professor of English, Postcolonial and Media Studies,

  University of Muenster (Germany)

  Presenting a wide range of Gaelic poetic and prose texts, along with English translation
s and information on biographical, historical, socio-cultural and literary contexts, this excellent anthology significantly enhances the accessibility of important primary sources. It also contains analytical commentary which, despite its necessary brevity, includes many thought-provoking observations, making this book an important intervention in contemporary criticism linking Gaelic Studies to wider comparative debates on North American multiculturalism, minority identities, international diaspora studies, colonialism and postcolonialism. While promising to become an important reference for scholars in literary and cultural studies—as well as for historians—this anthology is also of interest to the general reader, being very successful in explaining complex matters in a jargon-free, succinct and compelling manner. It not only contributes to a more nuanced understanding of Canadian colonial and postcolonial identities, but also has implications for contemporary debates about future cultural and educational policies.

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Foreword

  1 – Introduction

  A Multitude of Solitudes

  Gaelic Perspectives, Gaelic Sources

  Reading Gaelic Literature

  Transmission and Transcription

  About this Volume

  2 – The Subjugation of Gaeldom

  1: A Song in the Wake of Culloden

  2: The Tacksman of Griminish

  3: The Lament of the North

  4: Glencalvie Clearances

  5: A Gael’s Lament

  3 – Militarism and Tartanism

  1: The Song of the Gaels

  2: The Renown of the Gaels

  3: The Gaels at War, and the Gaels at Peace

  4: Antigonish Highland Games

  5: Address to Hamilton and Toronto Gaelic Societies

  6: Speech by Niall Mac na h-Innse at Lochiel

  7: The Scots of Canada

  8: The Gaels of Nova Scotia

  4 – Migration

  1: “That is the Way I Would Go”

  2: “It was on Sunday Morning”

  3: The Song of the Big Sheep

  4: Coming to America

  5: MacNiven and the People of Uist

  6: Sailing to Prince Edward Island

  7: From Kilmartin to Tiverton, Ontario

  8: Gaelic Guidebook for the Emigrant

  9: From the Isle of Lewis to Quebec

  10: Dòmhnall’s Testimony about Manitoba

  11: In Praise of the Canadian Prairies

  5 – Settlement

  1: “I Am Dejected in the Bog by Myself”

  2: Clearing the Forests

  3: “I Am Vexed Today”

  4: “I am Gloomy”

  5: Curses on the Mice

  6: The Bear’s Song

  7: An Account of Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton

  8: The Song of the Fire

  9: The Gaelic Communities of Megantic, Quebec

  10: Immigration to Saltcoats, Saskatchewan

  11: Gaelic Communities in Prince Edward Island

  12: The Gaels in Cape Breton

  13: The Song of Clandonald

  14: The Gaels of Winnipeg

  15: The Song of the Reaper

  6 – Love and Death

  1: Elegy to Tòmas Friseal

  2: Elegy to Bishop Uilleam Friseal

  3: Ontario Love Song

  4: Elegy to Iain MacGilleBhràth

  5: Seònaid’s Lullaby

  6: “The Great Hearts of Generosity”

  7: Lament for Edith and Dòmhnall

  8: Elegy for Father Niall MacLeòid

  9: “My Heart is Agonized”

  10: Lament for Gilleasbaig MacEalair

  11: Eulogy to a Horse

  12: The Macdonalds of Bailey’s Brook

  13: “The Journey that I Took from the Town”

  14: Elegy for Iain Alasdair MacLachlainn

  7 – Religion

  1: Odes to Assist the Faith of the Gaels

  2: The Dissemination of the Scriptures

  3: A Song to Bishop Cailean MacFhionghain

  4: A Morning Hymn

  5: A Song about the Presbyterian Church of Canada

  6: The Farmer’s Thanksgiving Hymn

  7: “That is the Drink I Would Imbibe”

  8: The Bible

  9: The Missionary on Lake Winnipeg

  10: About the United Church of Canada

  11: National Hymn

  8 – Language and Literature

  1: New Year’s Eve near Lake Huron

  2: A Song to the Traveller

  3: In Praise of the Young Highland Traveller

  4: In Praise of Gaelic in Hamilton, Ontario

  5: A Portrait of Eóghann MacColla

  6: Salutations to Eóghann MacColla

  7: In Praise of Gaelic and of Mac-Talla

  8: “A Toast to the Gaelic Mothers”

  9: Silenced Voices in Saskatchewan

  10: News of Awakening

  9 – Identity and Associations

  1: An Ode to the Gaelic Society of Toronto

  2: A Song to the Glengarry Highland Society

  3: An Ode to the Celtic Society of Montreal

  4: A Letter from Glengarry

  5: An Ode to the Antigonish Highland Society

  6: The Scotch Gathering of Alexandria

  7: A Song to the Gaels of Vancouver

  10 – Politics

  1: Election Rally of Pictou

  2: Gaelic in the Nova Scotia Assembly

  3: The Election of John Thompson

  4: The Death of the Repeal of Canadian Federation

  5: A Letter from the Gaelic Society of Bruce County

  6: A Speech about Gaelic in the Canadian Senate

  7: A Song about the Glengarry Election

  8: Scorn for the Bolsheviks

  9: A Song about the Nova Scotian Election

  10: A Song about the General Election

  Conclusions

  Biographies

  Maps

  Notes

  Notes from Conclusions

  References

  Index

  Other Celtic/Gaelic Titles from CBU Press

  About Michael Newton

  Acknowledgements

  The Gaelic title seanchaidh has no exact equivalent in English. A seanchaidh is a professional custodian of seanchas: communal memory, history and experience, often in the form of literature, especially song-poetry. The title of this volume alludes to an attempt to restore this largely neglected storehouse of material to its rightful place in the historical annals and literary archives of Canada. The title is also an homage to the work of the Rev. Dr. Alasdair MacGill-Eain Sinclair, an indefatigable Gaelic scholar from Nova Scotia who produced a series of volumes of Gaelic literature around the turn of the 20th century, two of which included the word “coille” (forest). The image of the forest is a dominant one in the Gaelic literature of North America which refers to the continent with such kennings as “Dùthaich nan Craobh” (The Land of Trees) and “A’ Choille Ghruamach” (The Gloomy Forest).

  I have been aware of and engaging with the heritage of Scottish Gaels in Canada to some degree since the mid-1990s, when I was conducting research in Celtic Studies at the University of Edinburgh. The core of the texts in this collection began in earnest in 1999 when the late Kenneth McKenna of Glengarry, Ontario, bequeathed photocopies of newspaper cuttings from his area to me. I accumulated much more material and a heightened motivation for publishing it while teaching Celtic Studies at St. Francis Xavier University. The absence of any substantial body of primary texts in Gaelic about the immigrant experience, despite the prominence of the iconography of Highlandism in popular Canadian history, became quite apparent to me in the course of research and teaching.

  My efforts have been aided by the help and cooperation of many individuals and institutions. I am especially grateful to the staff of the Angus L. Macdonald Library, St. Francis Xavier University, the Archives of Ontario, the National Library
of Scotland, the library of the School of Scottish Studies and the Special Collections of the University of Edinburgh for enabling me access to rare and important materials as well as permission to print them. Permission to reprint items that have appeared in previous publications has also been graciously granted by Comann Eachdraidh Tholastaidh bho Thuath and the Stornoway Gazette. A digital image of the frontispiece portrait of Gilleasbaig MacFhilip (in his book Collected Verse: The Blind Bard of Megantic, 1913) was kindly provided by the Rare Books and Special Collections of McGill University Library. Thanks to the Beaton Institute of Cape Breton University for permission to use the portrait of Eòin G. MacFhionghain, to Jocelyn Gillis of the Antigonish Heritage Museum for the portrait (presumed to be) of Iain Boid (John Boyd) and to Laurinda Matheson at the Angus L. Macdonald Library for scanning the image of Alasdair MacGill-Eain Sinclair.

  Many individuals have been generous in sharing their knowledge and materials with me: Sister Dr. Margaret MacDonell volunteered historical references and much encouragement to me; the late Dr. Kenneth Nilsen provided me with his photocopies of Cuairtear nan Coillte; Margaret Bennett gave me a photocopy of the booklet of songs by Cailean MacÌomhair; Susan Cameron and Kathleen MacKenzie of Saint Francis Xavier University aided me in finding and accessing many rare sources; Professor Robert Dunbar of the University of Edinburgh shared his research on the Bard MacGill-Eain and Dr. Michael Linkletter his thesis on Alasdair MacGill-Eain Sinclair; David Anderson of Williamstown, Ontario, furnished notes about some Glengarry authors; Alexander MacLennan of Carleton University was able to track down information about several Cape Breton poets on my behalf.

  I am grateful for comments, corrections and suggestions on drafts of chapters from James Ambuske, Matthew Dziennik, Steve Johnston, Stephanie Johnston, Sarah McCaslin, Lodaidh MacFhionghain (Lewis MacKinnon of Antigonish/Halifax), Iain MacFhionghain (Iain MacKinnon of Skye), Silke Stroh and Wilson McLeod. I am particularly indebted to Alexander MacLennan for his copious comments and suggestions. Friends who kindly provided help in several points of translation and cultural nuances include Michael Bauer, Robert Dunbar and Donald Meek.

  Cape Breton University Press has been very supportive in the development of this volume and I am grateful for bringing it to fruition.