{"id":303,"date":"2012-09-02T10:09:52","date_gmt":"2012-09-02T14:09:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cliffhaslam.com\/?page_id=303"},"modified":"2022-08-13T09:18:18","modified_gmt":"2022-08-13T13:18:18","slug":"fear-abhata-the-boatman","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cliffhaslam.com\/?page_id=303","title":{"rendered":"FEAR A’BHATA (The Boatman)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a lament from the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. A woman is pining and waiting for her boatman to return. I first heard this from the Corries Folk Trio with Paddie Bell. I found these words in a song book put out by The Portable Folk\u00a0from Hartford, CT.<\/p>\n

Chorus<\/span>
\nFear a bhata sna h\u00f3ro \u00e9ale<\/em>
\nFear a bhata sna h\u00f3ro \u00e9ale<\/em>
\nFear a bhata sna h\u00f3ro \u00e9ale<\/em>
\nFare thee well love where art thou be.<\/em><\/p>\n

How often haunting the highest hilltop
\nI scan the ocean, your boat to see
\nWill it come tonight, love, will it come tomorrow
\nWill it ever come, love, to comfort me?<\/p>\n

Chorus<\/span><\/p>\n

They call me fickle, they call me false one.
\nAnd see to change thee, but all in vain.
\nThou art my dream yet, throughout the dark night.
\nAnd every morn yet I watch the Main.<\/p>\n

Chorus<\/span><\/p>\n

There’s not a hamlet, too well I know it,
\nWhere you go sailing and stay a while.
\nIt’s all the old folk you win with talking.
\nCharm its maidens with song and smile.<\/p>\n

Chorus<\/span><\/p>\n

Dost thou remember the promise made me?
\nThe tartan plaid, the silken gown,
\nThe ring of gold with your hair and locket,
\nThe ring and gown, love, I\u2019ll never own?<\/p>\n

Chorus<\/span><\/p>\n