Brochan lom
This song is part of the Mouth Music tradition in Scotland. Mouth music is also called "puirt à beul" which in Scottish Gaelic means "tunes from the mouth". It was a vocal performance to replace musical instruments when they were banned after the 1745 uprising. In puirt à beul, the rhythm and sound of the song often have more importance than the depth or even sense of the lyrics. For example, this specific song is about thin, watery porridge.
This is a popular tune that's often heard at Scottish country dances and ceilidhs. It's commonly sung for the Highland Schottische (a popular ceilidh dance) and for the Highland Fling.
Brochan lom
Thin Porridge
Ceilidh Dance Song
Ceilidh Dance Song
(Scottish Gaelic)
(English)
Brochan lom, tana lom, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan lom, tana lom, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan lom, tana lom, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan lom 's e tana lom 's e brochan lom na sùghain
Chorus
Brochan tana, tana, tana, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan tana, tana, tana, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan tana, tana, tana, brochan lom na sùghain
Brochan lom 's e tana lom 's e brochan lom na sùghain
Thugaibh aran dha na gillean leis a' bhrochan sùghain
Thugaibh aran dha na gillean leis a' bhrochan sùghain
Thugaibh aran dha na gillean leis a' bhrochan sùghain
Brochan lom 's e tana lom 's e brochan lom na sùghain
Chorus
Seo an rud a gheibheamaid o nighean gobh' an dùine,
Seo an rud a gheibheamaid o nighean gobh' an dùine,
Seo an rud a gheibheamaid o nighean gobh' an dùine,
Brochan lom 's e tana lom, 's e brochan lom sùghain.
Chorus
Thin porridge, sparse and thin, thin and watery porridge.
Thin porridge, sparse and thin, thin and watery porridge.
Thin porridge, sparse and thin, thin and watery porridge.
Thin porridge, it is sparse and thin, it is thin and watery porridge.
Chorus
Sparse porridge, sparse, sparse, thin and watery porridge,
Sparse porridge, sparse, sparse, thin and watery porridge,
Sparse porridge, sparse, sparse, thin and watery porridge,
Thin porridge, it is sparse and thin, it is thin and watery porridge.
Give bread to the lads with the watery porridge,
Give bread to the lads with the watery porridge,
Give bread to the lads with the watery porridge,
Thin porridge, it is sparse and thin, it is thin and watery porridge.
Chorus
This is the thing to get from the blacksmith's daughter.
This is the thing to get from the blacksmith's daughter.
This is the thing to get from the blacksmith's daughter.
Thin porridge, it is sparse and thin, it is thin and watery porridge.
Chorus
Comments
You can hear verses 1, 2 and the chorus sung on the Highland Council site.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Christopher Campbell-Howes for contributing this song. The English translation has been taken from Cuilion's post on The Mudcat Café.
Tapadh leibh!
