Ashley MacIsaac — Sleepy Maggie
Album: hi how are you todayAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2677
Length: 5:22
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Ciamar a ni mi dannsa direach
Ciamar a ni mi ruidhle bhoidheach
Ciamar a ni mi dannsa direach
Dh'Fhalbh am prionn aig bonn mo chota
Tha nid na circe-fraoiche
(The nest of the grouse)
'S a' mhuilinn dubh, 's a' mhuilinn dubh
(In the black mill, in the black mill)
Tha nid na circe-fraoiche
(The nest of the grouse)
'S a' mhuilinn dubh o shamhraidh
(Is in the black mill since the summer time)
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman
(The black mill is moving around)
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman
(The black mill is moving around)
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman
(The black mill is moving around)
'S e togairt dol a dhannsa
(And we expect to go dancing)
'S iomadh rud saoil sibh
(There are many things you wouldn't expect)
'S a' mhuilinn dubh, 's a' mhuilinn dubh
(In the black mill, in the black mill)
'S iomadh rud saoil sibh
(There are many things you wouldn't expect)
'S a' mhuilinn dubh o shamhraidh
(Is in the black mill since the summer time)
Ciamar a ni mi ruidhle bhoidheach
Ciamar a ni mi dannsa direach
Dh'Fhalbh am prionn aig bonn mo chota
Tha nid na circe-fraoiche
(The nest of the grouse)
'S a' mhuilinn dubh, 's a' mhuilinn dubh
(In the black mill, in the black mill)
Tha nid na circe-fraoiche
(The nest of the grouse)
'S a' mhuilinn dubh o shamhraidh
(Is in the black mill since the summer time)
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman
(The black mill is moving around)
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman
(The black mill is moving around)
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman
(The black mill is moving around)
'S e togairt dol a dhannsa
(And we expect to go dancing)
'S iomadh rud saoil sibh
(There are many things you wouldn't expect)
'S a' mhuilinn dubh, 's a' mhuilinn dubh
(In the black mill, in the black mill)
'S iomadh rud saoil sibh
(There are many things you wouldn't expect)
'S a' mhuilinn dubh o shamhraidh
(Is in the black mill since the summer time)
Comments (319)add comment
Alastair wrote:
With this important information, i can now get on with my day.
First song I have ever downgraded on RP,
From a starting score of 4
With this important information, i can now get on with my day.
IndyDoug wrote:
Geography? I'm not sure but I'm glad it happened!
Why did the immigrants from Ireland and Scotland keep and maintain their Celtic heritage while my ancestors from Appalachia quickly forgot it or created country music?
Geography? I'm not sure but I'm glad it happened!
Why did the immigrants from Ireland and Scotland keep and maintain their Celtic heritage while my ancestors from Appalachia quickly forgot it or created country music?
raenvald wrote:
Totally agree, I came to this page to see who the singer was.
Mary Jane Lamond is the vocalist. A Montrealer who relocated to Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) and embraced Gaelic folk songs. She deserves a co-credit here.
Totally agree, I came to this page to see who the singer was.
It DOESN'T need to be St. Patrick's Day to hear this classic tune. When Ashley does that first off the hook jam during the break between the 1st and 2nd verse, WOW!!! A foot tapper for sure! The first time I heard it I was like, who is this?? I do play it every St. Patrick's Day just for old times sake. 
ScottishWillie wrote:
At first I thought you were talking about the bird, and I thought "what an odd phrase", as the common loon cannot jump at all - it cannot even really walk, because its legs are so far back on its body (which is great for swimming, I guess).
Perhaps it's my Celtic blood but I find this colossally invigorating and feel the need to jump around like a loon every time I hear it!
At first I thought you were talking about the bird, and I thought "what an odd phrase", as the common loon cannot jump at all - it cannot even really walk, because its legs are so far back on its body (which is great for swimming, I guess).
Proclivities wrote:
That program is still running, depending on where your local NPR station is.
Thistle & Shamrock, NPR: looks like you can still stream Fiona's show here
That program is still running, depending on where your local NPR station is.
Thistle & Shamrock, NPR: looks like you can still stream Fiona's show here
I share this video EVERY St. Patricks Day on Faceebook. So catchy! And he wears a Kilt on stage.
raenvald wrote:
Yes! Thank You for the info! EXCELLENT TUNE!
Mary Jane Lamond is the vocalist. A Montrealer who relocated to Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) and embraced Gaelic folk songs. She deserves a co-credit here.
Yes! Thank You for the info! EXCELLENT TUNE!
jelgator wrote:
i would.
Not understanding the low rating, this song is great.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
i would.
I still remember when this song first came out. It was so different at the time.
raenvald wrote:
Absolutely! And thanks for supplying that info.
Mary Jane Lamond is the vocalist. A Montrealer who relocated to Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) and embraced Gaelic folk songs. She deserves a co-credit here.
Absolutely! And thanks for supplying that info.
fredriley wrote:
Yep. She's singing in a traditional Gàidhlig style known as Puirt à beul. Nova Scotia, or Alba Nuadh in the Gàidhlig, is quite the stronghold of Gàidhlig culture as so many Gaels cleared from the Highlands by lairds during the Clearances landed there. When I was studying the language in a summer school at the Gàidhlig college on Skye, one of my tutors was a young woman from Nova Scotia, who was fluent and expert. It was kinda cute to hear Gàidhlig spoken in a Canadian accent :o)
fredriley - world traveler and polygot, ladies and gentlemen.
Yep. She's singing in a traditional Gàidhlig style known as Puirt à beul. Nova Scotia, or Alba Nuadh in the Gàidhlig, is quite the stronghold of Gàidhlig culture as so many Gaels cleared from the Highlands by lairds during the Clearances landed there. When I was studying the language in a summer school at the Gàidhlig college on Skye, one of my tutors was a young woman from Nova Scotia, who was fluent and expert. It was kinda cute to hear Gàidhlig spoken in a Canadian accent :o)
fredriley - world traveler and polygot, ladies and gentlemen.
Released 1995... looks like this was when popular music was going through its Gaelic-inspired music period. Enya, Riverdance, Sarah McLaughlin, Sinead Lohan, etc. Even the Titanic theme seemed to have some of that going on. I wonder why it didn't last. I'm not sure I've seen much of that Irish influence since then.
raenvald wrote:
Yep. She's singing in a traditional Gàidhlig style known as Puirt à beul. Nova Scotia, or Alba Nuadh in the Gàidhlig, is quite the stronghold of Gàidhlig culture as so many Gaels cleared from the Highlands by lairds during the Clearances landed there. When I was studying the language in a summer school at the Gàidhlig college on Skye, one of my tutors was a young woman from Nova Scotia, who was fluent and expert. It was kinda cute to hear Gàidhlig spoken in a Canadian accent :o)
Mary Jane Lamond is the vocalist. A Montrealer who relocated to Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) and embraced Gaelic folk songs. She deserves a co-credit here.
Yep. She's singing in a traditional Gàidhlig style known as Puirt à beul. Nova Scotia, or Alba Nuadh in the Gàidhlig, is quite the stronghold of Gàidhlig culture as so many Gaels cleared from the Highlands by lairds during the Clearances landed there. When I was studying the language in a summer school at the Gàidhlig college on Skye, one of my tutors was a young woman from Nova Scotia, who was fluent and expert. It was kinda cute to hear Gàidhlig spoken in a Canadian accent :o)
I was in Buffalo listening to Toronto radio when they played two very different tracks from this album when it first came out. Blew right past my house and directly to the CD store where I bought this. This is a rich album.
Always loved this one!! Thanks for playing one of my favourites from Ashley and Mary Jane Lamond. Really proud of such great music coming out of Canada
This song gets under my skin, f'in annoying ... FF to the rescue!
raenvald wrote:
Scottish Gaelic is widely spoken in Nova Scotia (Alba Nuadh anns a' Ghàidhlig). As part of my language learning I did a summer school on Skye and my teacher was a young woman from NS who was doing a language degree there.
Mary Jane Lamond is the vocalist. A Montrealer who relocated to Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) and embraced Gaelic folk songs. She deserves a co-credit here.
Scottish Gaelic is widely spoken in Nova Scotia (Alba Nuadh anns a' Ghàidhlig). As part of my language learning I did a summer school on Skye and my teacher was a young woman from NS who was doing a language degree there.
What a voice!! 
That moment when we flip to the relative major in the chorus......
Alastair wrote:
Fascinating.
First song I have ever downgraded on RP,
From a starting score of 4
Fascinating.
First song I have ever downgraded on RP,
From a starting score of 4
From a starting score of 4
TerryS wrote:
After many years of spotty appearance (sic)
the squid can be jigged or even picked up off the shore of Newfoundland this year.
Correct me if I am wrong but that fiddle is playing at reel speed.
After many years of spotty appearance (sic)
the squid can be jigged or even picked up off the shore of Newfoundland this year.
Correct me if I am wrong but that fiddle is playing at reel speed.
I danced too much to this on my Irish dance classes, still great!
ScottishWillie wrote:
The Jewish people are jumping around with ya brother
Perhaps it's my Celtic blood but I find this colossally invigorating and feel the need to jump around like a loon every time I hear it!
The Jewish people are jumping around with ya brother
Proclivities wrote:
That program is still running, depending on where your local NPR station is.
I will have to search for that. Always loved that program. Thanks!!
That program is still running, depending on where your local NPR station is.
I will have to search for that. Always loved that program. Thanks!!
One of MacIsaac's best.
It's interesting when the RP ratings chart shows two peaks instead of the usual bell curve. This always indicates a polarizing artist. Mr. MacIsaac was that, but I think time has shown that he made a durable contribution to the world of music.
It's interesting when the RP ratings chart shows two peaks instead of the usual bell curve. This always indicates a polarizing artist. Mr. MacIsaac was that, but I think time has shown that he made a durable contribution to the world of music.
Anybody closely following MacIssac these days?
His old website no longer works.
He had a reputation once upon a time of being an out-of-control party boy. IIRC.
His old website no longer works.
He had a reputation once upon a time of being an out-of-control party boy. IIRC.
The fiddle is great, the fusion attempt and the voice not so much. It started as a "why not" but the end mash-up doesn't work at all for me, it's like I got confused and launched two tracks at the same time
I really like this and I was intrigued by the picture. He really does play "left-handed" with the fiddle strung normally. Really interesting and unusual.
There was a time and a place. 8 - 9
I appreciate the attempt at fusion, but I don't think the singer is quite up to it. Maybe I'm spoiled by Julie Fowlis.
jelgator wrote:
Not understanding the low rating, this song is great.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
Laptopdog wrote:
God, yes.
another station is a click away. I Love this song and so many others like it. I truly believe music is the 2nd language of the World. Unfortunately, I only know 1 language but I appreciate cultural music and the variety I found here. Thanks RP
jelgator wrote:
God, yes.
Not understanding the low rating, this song is great.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
God, yes.
jelgator wrote:
I love both because I'm open minded, and is why I listen to RP.
Not understanding the low rating, this song is great.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
I love both because I'm open minded, and is why I listen to RP.
jelgator wrote:
Anything foreign and unusual some people are going to be hating. As soon as I hear something foreign and kind of wild I know its going to be slammed. And it always is. I love all that stuff though.
Not understanding the low rating, this song is great.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
Anything foreign and unusual some people are going to be hating. As soon as I hear something foreign and kind of wild I know its going to be slammed. And it always is. I love all that stuff though.
I love mouth music. Amazing stuff.
Thinking a lot about Nova Scotians these days. We tend to fool ourselves that mass shootings only happen in the States.
translation please!
Not understanding the low rating, this song is great.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
I guess y'all would rather listen to Radiohead.
Godawful then, just as bad now.
Good to hear Mary Jane Lamond on RP. Ashley isn't too shabby on the fiddle either.
The cover art is interesting, so I googled "Approved C.B.D.A.". Of course, it came back as "Cannabidiolic acid" approval" organization, which I imagine wasn't yet created in 1995 when this was released.
Image reminds me of a crucifix, so I was expecting a Christian organization, but the "C" could stand for "Canadian", you know.
Little help, please?
Image reminds me of a crucifix, so I was expecting a Christian organization, but the "C" could stand for "Canadian", you know.
Little help, please?
Imkirok wrote:
I thought I was reading my own post...
Ugh. The cacophony is too much for me on this one. PSD time.
I thought I was reading my own post...
zenhead wrote:
Not bad for a Bluenoser err Caper, eh?
I saw him perform many years ago, solo, or part of some troupe, I don't remember. He was a brilliant elf, fiddling and clogging in big boots. Cool to hear what he's up to now, I love this kind of world fusion.
Not bad for a Bluenoser err Caper, eh?
Well durn it all, I just sat down. Sigh.
Hip hippity, bop ititty bop.
She sure does like to kick the flooey, and I guess I do too!
Hip hippity, bop ititty bop.
She sure does like to kick the flooey, and I guess I do too!
peyotecoyote wrote:
After many years of spotty appearance (sic)
the squid can be jigged or even picked up off the shore of Newfoundland this year.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...it aint your average squid jiggin' music.
After many years of spotty appearance (sic)
the squid can be jigged or even picked up off the shore of Newfoundland this year.
I like the violins and this very nice voice 😍
Canadese wrote:
Nervous? afraid Rome is about to burn?
Rome is burning, tanks are rolling in DC...
Nervous? afraid Rome is about to burn?
Rome is burning, tanks are rolling in DC...
Mary Jane Lamond is the vocalist. A Montrealer who relocated to Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) and embraced Gaelic folk songs. She deserves a co-credit here.
That was from 1995? wow. I still like it.
6 -> 8
The vocals are mesmerizing, even if you can't understand them. Something about the delivery.
"What do you do with a drunken sailor, early in the morning..." melody comes to mind.
robin_at_domani wrote:
Fiddle is making me nervous..
Otherwise good song
Nervous? afraid Rome is about to burn?
Fiddle is making me nervous..
Otherwise good song
Nervous? afraid Rome is about to burn?
khardog145 wrote:
That program is still running, depending on where your local NPR station is.
Fiona Ritchie used to play this on Thistle and Shamrock, an NPR 1 hour long Celtic/Scottish/British Isles generally music program back in the 80's early 90's I think. THANK YOU RP for playing this cool obscurity.
That program is still running, depending on where your local NPR station is.
seriously irritating
Fiona Ritchie used to play this on Thistle and Shamrock, an NPR 1 hour long Celtic/Scottish/British Isles generally music program back in the 80's early 90's I think. THANK YOU RP for playing this cool obscurity.
eveliko wrote:
I think I like the vocals and lyrics better without the translation.
The more I look at these lyrics, the less I can match them with what I'm hearing. Should ge back to sleep maybe.
I think I like the vocals and lyrics better without the translation.
The more I look at these lyrics, the less I can match them with what I'm hearing. Should ge back to sleep maybe.
The traditional music of the Canadian Maritimes and rock-and-roll had a baby.
Her name?
Sleepy Maggie.
Her name?
Sleepy Maggie.
I saw him perform many years ago, solo, or part of some troupe, I don't remember. He was a brilliant elf, fiddling and clogging in big boots. Cool to hear what he's up to now, I love this kind of world fusion.
Thanks for playing! I love this fusion of fiddle and pop-music.
Literally came to the website and then logged in just to see who this is. LOVE IT!
What is it with all the Irish jigs?
DonnaDHicks wrote:
Fiddle is making me nervous..
Otherwise good song
Really liking this. Love the fiddle.
Fiddle is making me nervous..
Otherwise good song
Really liking this. Love the fiddle.
nice!
I've always loved this record. This song and several other tracks are the perfect pace for a long run on an elliptical trainer. Makes the workout much more pleasant. Besides that, I find this a haunting tune. Pricked up my ears the first time I heard it.
Thanks for reminding me of this awesome talent. I'll need to dig this CD out again. Thanks RP!
I love Ashley, he's a riot. This whole album is pretty interesting.
But why does she like to kick the flooy anyway? Odd.
But why does she like to kick the flooy anyway? Odd.
Always loved this record.
I saw im live - 1997 at the Roskilde Festival!!! He played the violine so fast that more and more threads hang down at both sides of his bow. It was incredible and the audience ran wild!!
Ashley is from a proud Nova Scotia dynasty of fiddling. His Uncle is the great Buddy McMaster and cousin to another great prodigy Natalie McMaster. Check them out!
It made total sense to me - in English!
Why I keep tuning back into RP, for these many years now. Always something new popping up.
Keep 'em coming.
Why I keep tuning back into RP, for these many years now. Always something new popping up.
Keep 'em coming.
never heard of this guy and I see that this album went 2XPlatinum
but I ain't diggin' it
but I ain't diggin' it
this is an awesome album!
mrselfdestruct wrote:
I hope it tasted good.
Hootin and a hootin and a hootin now a hootin now.
I hope it tasted good.
Love it; catchy and almost unpredictable...great groove
Brings back good memories. Sorry haters but I like this.
fredriley wrote:
The lyrics of this traditional song are at https://www.celticlyricscorner.net/compilations/sleepy.htm in the original Gaelic and an English translation. Like so many songs of this type which were originally sung communally, often by women working together, there's a lot of repetition, and the words are very rapidly elided so even learners of Gaelic, like myself, find it hard to pick them out in the song. She also sings the song in 'puirt-a-beul' style which is highly staccato and playful.
It's just sooooooo RP to play Gaelic songs. Mòran taing, RP! :)
Try Quadriga Consort, highly listenable, methinks.
The lyrics of this traditional song are at https://www.celticlyricscorner.net/compilations/sleepy.htm in the original Gaelic and an English translation. Like so many songs of this type which were originally sung communally, often by women working together, there's a lot of repetition, and the words are very rapidly elided so even learners of Gaelic, like myself, find it hard to pick them out in the song. She also sings the song in 'puirt-a-beul' style which is highly staccato and playful.
It's just sooooooo RP to play Gaelic songs. Mòran taing, RP! :)
Try Quadriga Consort, highly listenable, methinks.
Bad in every way.
Please make this go away
Hootin and a hootin and a hootin now a hootin now.
GeneP59 wrote:
worth checking out
thanks!
I don't like this remix like I do the original version.
worth checking out
thanks!
6.1? Sorry, PSD here.
Bill, do you actually look at the number of PSD clicks per song? I bet it must be quite high on this one, or am I the only one whose nerves can't stand this?
Any spin of this disc ought to include a mention of the talented and lovely Mary Jane Lamond on vocals.
I don't like this remix like I do the original version.
I have pure Celtic blood and this is pure hell until the hurdy-gurdy fiddle stops. Maybe because im not Scottish or Irish
ScottishWillie wrote:
Am not C
eltic and feel like jumping around!!
Perhaps it's my Celtic blood but I find this colossally invigorating and feel the need to jump around like a loon every time I hear it!
Am not C
eltic and feel like jumping around!! In addition to the music, I've always liked the fact that on the cover art, they have the word "Hi" trademarked.
Perhaps it's my Celtic blood but I find this colossally invigorating and feel the need to jump around like a loon every time I hear it!
bh1 wrote:
The lyrics of this traditional song are at https://www.celticlyricscorner.net/compilations/sleepy.htm in the original Gaelic and an English translation. Like so many songs of this type which were originally sung communally, often by women working together, there's a lot of repetition, and the words are very rapidly elided so even learners of Gaelic, like myself, find it hard to pick them out in the song. She also sings the song in 'puirt-a-beul' style which is highly staccato and playful.
It's just sooooooo RP to play Gaelic songs. Mòran taing, RP! :)
The reason nobody can figure out the lyrics is that they are sung in Scottish Gaelic. Mary Jane Lamond, the vocalist is a well known performer with her own successful carreer. It was a very successful single in Canada. Lyric freak actually has the translated lyrics and they look like one big run-on sentence. Ashley is distantly related to White Stripes singer jack White. Who knew? Like it or not you can't deny the energy in the performance.
The lyrics of this traditional song are at https://www.celticlyricscorner.net/compilations/sleepy.htm in the original Gaelic and an English translation. Like so many songs of this type which were originally sung communally, often by women working together, there's a lot of repetition, and the words are very rapidly elided so even learners of Gaelic, like myself, find it hard to pick them out in the song. She also sings the song in 'puirt-a-beul' style which is highly staccato and playful.
It's just sooooooo RP to play Gaelic songs. Mòran taing, RP! :)
Love this tune
Just needs some pipes to make it awesome.
I love this song.
PSD. Nothing to redeem this to my ears.
disgusting. PSD.
I don't care what the lyric are really. Would I like to know what is being sung, sure. I just like the song and always have. When they play it on the car radio I always crank it up. I love that fiddle.
The reason nobody can figure out the lyrics is that they are sung in Scottish Gaelic. Mary Jane Lamond, the vocalist is a well known performer with her own successful carreer. It was a very successful single in Canada. Lyric freak actually has the translated lyrics and they look like one big run-on sentence. Ashley is distantly related to White Stripes singer jack White. Who knew? Like it or not you can't deny the energy in the performance.
So much hate for this infectious (go ahead - make your snarky comments) groove. Lllooovvvve it.
Yikes! I pressed PSD but was not signed in! I couldn't sign in fast enough to cure this. That chant thing was going right up my spine. I have no idea if the song is OK or what she was singing about. I didn't need that annoying part.
Keep expecting to hear some pipes.
Maybe later or another song
Maybe later or another song
This track was my gateway into his music. Obviously not to everyone’s taste but most certainly to mine!
GTT wrote:
Ya
Damn this is good
I'm not getting all the negative comments: great groove and beat; strange sounds; fine fiddling; edgy-sounding dissonance; fun, incomprehensible lyrics and female singing voice ... what is there not to like?
Ya
Damn this is good
I'm not getting all the negative comments: great groove and beat; strange sounds; fine fiddling; edgy-sounding dissonance; fun, incomprehensible lyrics and female singing voice ... what is there not to like?
That boy is sawing some serious Celtic fiddle. Getting down to my roots, at least the Irish/Welsh ones, furshur. Nice!
This is utterly brilliant.
You haters can go and take a short break while those of us with more refined taste have a bit of a jig around to this masterpiece :)
You haters can go and take a short break while those of us with more refined taste have a bit of a jig around to this masterpiece :)
I wish Ashley MacIsaac and Rocco DeLuca would have offspring.
Scarred by the awfulness of this...noise.
it's particularly annoying through headphones
Ugh. The cacophony is too much for me on this one. PSD time.
are u kidding me?
contractor07 wrote:
Yes. Absolutely yes.
No
Yes. Absolutely yes.
No
This song gets under my skin, f'in annoying ... FF to the rescue!
This song gets under my skin, f’in awesome … RP to the rescue!
FF/PSD if you must. I do for the songs that annoy me.