Do Chalum [To Calum]

Do Chalum
Chalum, a rùin,
on a dh' eug thu
's airsnealach, tinn
as do dhèidh sinn;
geàrr bha do rèis,
geàrr do shaoghal,
buan an creuchd
bheum do dhaoine.
'S tusa bha mear,
èibhinn, aotrom,
dealasach, ceart,
eirmseach, daonda;
fulganach, treun
gleac ri eucail,
gun fhiamh, gun ghealt
ri uchd èig thu.
Sgoilear gun mheang,
tuigseach, gleusda
thionail ar fuinn,
thruis gach sgeulachd.
Choisinn thu cliù
thall an Èirinn
's bhos an Alba
mòr bha dh'fheum ort.
Blàth bha do chrìdh,
fialaidh, mùirneach
macanta, còir,
coibhneil, fiùghant';
fuaraidh an nochd
aognaidh, tùrsach
gaoth anns a' bheàrn
nach gabh dùnadh.

To Calum
Beloved Calum
Since you died
we are
sorrowful, ill;
short your time
short your life
enduring the wound
a blow to your people.
You were playful
amusing, light-hearted,
committed, correct,
witty, humane;
long-suffering, brave,
combating disease,
unflinching, uncowardly
in the face of death.
A flawless scholar
understanding, shrewd,
who gathered our songs
and many stories.
You earned a good reputation
over in Ireland
and here in Scotland
you were greatly needed.
Your heart was warm
generous, joyful,
gentle, good
kindly, liberal;
chilly tonight
gloomy, sad
the wind in the gap
that cannot be closed.