2:23 Rod C. and Paul MacNeil Fuadach Nan Gaidheal
1. THE EVICTION OF THE HIGHLANDERS
1. Sad am I mourning for the state of the country, and the old, scrupulous
people who were
worthy and courageous. Landlords evicted them far over the seas: their lands
were taken from
them, and given up to deer.
2. It was, indeed, an object of shame to see strong people being evicted over
the ocean like a
useless tramp, and Cheviot sheep being placed to graze on the beautiful land.
There are
nettles in the garden, and the ruins are covered with grass.
3. Where there used to be many women-folk and families, there are now only
hornless sheep
to be found in their place. No longer do you see the milkmaid with her spancel,
or even the
white-shouldered cattle and the fair-haired herdsman.
4. The lark is in the firmament singing its tuneful song, yet nobody is present
to listen to her
when she ascends the heights. The people will never return, never return, who
were hearty and cheerful.
They have been dispersed forever like chaff on a windy
day.