Fhear a' Bhata (Scottish trad.)

Deeply emotional love song from XIX century Scotland, isle of Lewis, outer Hebrids. She is waiting for her promised love - a boatman - to return home, but this may never happen. My take uses a Martin 000-45VS, some three part voice harmonies and some Deering Vega Senator banjo

Fhear a' bhàta

Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
oh fare thee well love where e'er you be

How often haunting the highest hilltops
I scan the ocean I sail tae sea
wilt come tonight love wilt come tomorrow
wilt ever come love to comfort me?

Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
oh fare thee well love where e'er you be.

They call thee fickle they call thee false one
and seek tae change me but all in vain
for thou art my dream a through the dark night
and every morning I scan the sea

Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
oh fare thee well love where e'er you be

There's not a hamlet too well I know it
where you go wandering or set a while
but all the old folks you win wi' talking
and charm it's maidens with song and smile

Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
oh fare thee well love where e'er you be

Do you remember the promise made me
the tartan plaidie the silken gown
the ring of gold with thy hair and portrait?
that gown and ring I' ll never know

Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
Fhear a' bhàta, na hóro eile
oh fare thee well love where e'er you be