Several years ago, the Highland Village Museum decided to record a sampling of the Gaelic song repertoire and communal singing style maintained in central Cape Breton. Over the course of nine informal sessions more than seventy Gaelic songs were recorded from an informal group of local tradition-bearers. Featuring a broad range of songs and historical information on the local singing tradition, Nòs is Fonn showcases the talent of the Iona Gaelic Singers - six men well versed in the local singing tradition and Gaelic culture of their community. As a group, the Iona Gaelic Singers draw on a rich Gaelic song tradition once found throughout much of eastern Nova Scotia. Today however, they also represent the best remaining native-born example of this tradition in general and as a distinctive regional style in particular. Click on the titles below to hear selections from this important collection.
The Iona Gaelic Singers:
Johnny Gillis - Iain mac Ruairidh Nìll Iain Bhàn
Peter Jack MacLean - Peadar Jack Pheadair 'ic Caluim Ghobha
Jamie MacNeil - Seumas Iain Dhòmhnaill Sheumais Dhòmhnaill Òig Iain Ruairidh
Maxie MacNeil - Maxie mac Dhòmhnaill Aonghais Iain Aonghais Eòin
Mickey John H. MacNeil - Mìcheal Eòghainn Chaluim Sheumais Mhóir
Roddie John Dan MacNeil - Ruairidh Iain Dhòmhnaill Sheumais Dhòmhnaill Òig Iain Ruairidh
Coordinated by: Jim Watson
Recorded by: Shamus Y. MacDonald
Spring 2005
Bithibh eutrom 's togaibh fonn View | Listen
Peter Jack MacLean - Peadar Jack Pheadair 'ic Caluim Ghobha
Nighean bhàn Ghrùlainn Listen
Jamie MacNeil - Seumas Iain Dhòmhnaill Sheumais Dhòmhnaill Òig Iain Ruairidh
Toirt m'aghaidh ri Diùra Listen
Maxie MacNeil - Maxie mac Dhòmhnaill Aonghais Iain Aonghais Eòin
Òran do ghille a chaidh a bhàthadh Listen
Peter Jack MacLean - Peadar Jack Pheadair 'ic Caluim Ghobha
Ailean duinn, a nì 's a nàire Listen
Roddie John Dan MacNeil - Ruairidh Iain Dhòmhnaill Sheumais Dhòmhnaill Òig Iain Ruairidh
Deoch slàinte nam fearaibh Listen
Maxie MacNeil - Maxie mac Dhòmhnaill Aonghais Iain Aonghais Eòin
Ho rò 's toigh leam fhìn thu Listen
Peter Jack MacLean - Peadar Jack Pheadair 'ic Caluim Ghobha
Cumha do Dhòmhnall MacFhionghainn Listen
Maxie MacNeil - Maxie mac Dhòmhnaill Aonghais Iain Aonghais Eòin
Ho rò mo ni’n donn ghuanach Listen
Jamie MacNeil - Seumas Iain Dhòmhnaill Sheumais Dhòmhnaill Òig Iain Ruairidh
Fal ìll èileadh ò ro Listen
Maxie MacNeil - Maxie mac Dhòmhnaill Aonghais Iain Aonghais Eòin
A fhleasgaich ùir, leanainn thu Listen
Jamie MacNeil - Seumas Iain Dhòmhnaill Sheumais Dhòmhnaill Òig Iain Ruairidh
Cumha Aonghais Listen
Peter Jack MacLean - Peadar Jack Pheadair 'ic Caluim Ghobha
Màiri lurach Listen
Roddie John Dan MacNeil - Ruairidh Iain Dhòmhnaill Sheumais Dhòmhnaill Òig Iain Ruairidh
Nighneag a' chùil duinn nach fhan thu? Listen
Peter Jack MacLean - Peadar Jack Pheadair 'ic Caluim Ghobha