The Reason for Rhyme

[Cameronian]

Well Ealasaid, seeing that we can not have a ceilidh and a dram to share together this evening, this will have to make do until my return to Scotland…….Bhal

The Reason for Rhyme…..

There’s a reason for rhyme if it recalls a time,
when we walked and we talked of the pleasures that bind,
all of us who through birth, can recall all the worth of the The Camerons.

There’s a reason for rhyme that brings up to date,
all the research and history that colours the mystery,
of lives in Lochaber in mist covered Clan Lands of Camerons.

There’s a reason for rhyme when all other words fail,
to deliver the meanings of thoughts deep with feelings,
of pasture and sheilings that once held the wealth of the The Camerons.

But if rhymes fail to please or leave thoughts ill at ease,
then just leave words alone and take flight on your own,
to the land that was sown, by the kin that you own through the glens of those Clan lands of Camerons….

[Alans]

Indeed Val sometimes a Poem can say it better than mere words- the feeling comes over to you.

Dia duit a bhal na Camshronaich!
Ailean glas macRaibert.

[Alans]

Bhal,
Just lifting this up! Perhaps you might also feel like putting one or two of Mary Mckellars' best pieces on this forum- I've read your latest research with great Interest.

Many regards,
Alan

[Cameronian]

Good morning Alan, I would suggest that Mary MacKellar, as our Cameron Bardess, deserves a separate allocated space, she is the only Bard that I know of who was appointed to this position, her own writings and her translations of Queen Victoria's stories of her life in Scotland gained recognition from the Queen and her own published works are many.

If Tom could provide an appropriate place, I am sure that we could prevail upon her Great Niece Elizabeth to translate some of her poems for inclusion in it...... I do have articles she wrote for the Gaelic Society and other published material and this could also be included there.

She is certainly a Cameron who made her mark and we all should be more aware of her published output.

[Thomas Cameron]

All,

I cannot tell you how pleased I am to hear this interest in Mary MacKellar. As you probably realize, we already have seven of her poems and articles posted in the Clan Cameron Archives, which is a very appropriate place, nestled amongst other similar items. I would suggest that we make a dedicated effort to include more of her Cameron-Lochaber-Lochiel-West Highlands works in the Archives, especially if someone with a true grasp of Gaelic wishes to address translations. The process of submitting content is rather easy, and is detailed on:

www.clan-cameron.org/archives/submit.html

In the past we have also suggested that those with access to Dame Mary Gilmore's writings could also submit that content, but regretfully nothing has ever materialized. The Clan Cameron Archives have served us well in providing universal access to documents and images that would prove difficult to locate, either online or in libraries. I would suggest that we preserve both Mary M's and Mary G's works in that format, which will stand the test of time (in contrast to the Message Center).

[Eilidh]

Dear Tom
It is very difficult to get permission from the Copyright holders of Dame Mary Gilmore's work to publish same. They are very diligent in noting publication without permission, so be very careful.

Best wishes Ele

[Thomas Cameron]

Dear Ele,

Many thanks for the word of caution on Dame Mary's works. We'll have to stay clear of her writings...

[gaelgal]

My life is so busy
It makes me right dizzy
The board I must visit more often
But where should I post
Where folks visit the most
This place could really start hoppin'!

[Cameronian]

Gaelgal said:
’But where should I post
Where folks visit the most
This place could really start hoppin'!”

This is exactly the point, and the reason why I requested a separate section on the Message Page for Mary MacKellar.

Whereas the archives are a very important area for sectional research,, retrieving information from the Archives is a very solitary action, unknown to any but the user, and therefore never drawing comment re interests in a particular subject.

However when subject matter is posted on the message page, it is there, open for discussion always in the hope that the material brought forth will produce comment and interest from other Clanmembers.

Mary MacKellar’s poems may eventually be translated into English from the Gaidhlig, and those who knew of her work may seek her entry in the Archives, but what of all those who were not aware of her life, her position in Clan Cameron. her role in the Inaugural Meeting of the Clan Cameron Association in Scotland, without some introductive message getting through, they will never know to seek her out in the Archives

We all drop into the message page, and although we may not always have time to post off a response, the content and the subject matter of each post is taken in, in the hope that by making mention of her name others will be inclined to seek out more of her life and share it with us all.

Mary MacKellar’s life is a revelation, better understood now, having researched our past Cameron women, knowing the role women played, and the spirit and resourcefulness of those women in the Jacobite era. Jacobite women were liberated in a way that was lost in later generations. You find them as couriers and spies, historians and impersonators. Men and women were able to ride together, walk and talk freely in a manner that was later lost in Victoriana. This freedom was liberating and by the time of the ’45, ideas about equality between the sexes were beginning to appear. Jacobite women in particular felt the rebellion heralded an era of change, not just change in politics, but in attitudes towards life and their place in society.

These Eighteenth century Highland women had great freedom of speech, they were used to saying what they felt and often did so very forcefully. And although this freedom was lost completely in most of Britain by the time of Victoria’s rein, in Mary MacKellar it was not, she was known to be ‘feisty’ and outspoken and I look forward to reading more of her work (hopefully in English – hint Elizabeth)

[Alans]

She sounds very like my Paternal Granny and aunts- no shrinking violets!

[Thomas Cameron]

All,

You may have noticed that the "Rhyme and Reason" board now has a sub-board, specifically for Mary Cameron MacKellar. I encourage you to post at will, but must remind everyone that we need your assistance in building out the Clan Cameron Archives. With so many talented and gifted poetry lovers out there, it would be a delightful surprise to have some of Mary's newly translated works submitted for permanent preservation on the website.

A line from one of my favorite motion pictures, Field of Dreams, stated: "Build it and they will come." The "Mary Board" is now up and ready - I sincerely hope that it will be frequented and utilized by many.

[gaelgal]

You know what I am finding is too much board and not enough time. There are so many wonderful areas to go and read, reply, chat, leave messages... you know? So what I have been doing of late... and maybe I am late in coming to this conclusion... is I have been going to the bottom of the message board and checking out the list of "most recent" hits to the board. I can get a sampling of the current conversations, find the link to go answer someone, come back and read some more or answer some more. I then can feel satisfied... like a kitten with the best of the bowl of cream! Ah!

[Alans]

My suggestion, and its only supposition, is that he was called the Black Tailor because he was rather good at carving and slicing his enenmies up.
He was definitely a warrior of note according to Clan Lore and I cant imagine that he spent his spare time running up outfits.

Regards,
Alan

[SherbrookeJacobite]

alans said:

My suggestion, and its only supposition, is that he was called the Black Tailor because he was rather good at carving and slicing his enenmies up.
He was definitely a warrior of note according to Clan Lore and I cant imagine that he spent his spare time running up outfits.

Regards,
Alan

The Tailor reference is because Donald was fostered by a Tailor and nursed by the Tailor's wife. He was an illegitimate son of Lochiel - and as a young boy was put in the care of the Tailor's family. The Black reference usually referred to a person's hair colour, or to someone with a dark (swarthy) complexion.

Slainte!

[gaelgal]

Being a Taylor, I must put my two cents in... and agree with John. Being from the lineage of the Taylors doesn't necessarily mean that all of the descendants of a "tailor" would be tailors, of course, and I have often heard that the reference to "black" in many cultures is a reference to hair color ~ especially in countries where the typical hair coloring was not so dark or profound. This may be the case of the Black Tailor. It's usually the reference I suggest when people ask. (I do so love a lively discourse, don't you?! What fun this has been!)

[Alans]

All explanations are possible, except that as a mighty warrior ( by legend ) I wonder if he ever learn't his foster father's trade. My explanation is possibly "romantic" but I still think it may also refer to his reputed prowess with the Lochaber axe rather than needles, thread etc.

[ianjonefan]

Th e Cameron sae braw ,
to war he wint awa' .
Wi' his Sgain Dhubh , Claymore , n' targ
He was the furst to lead the charge .
He won the battle ,
His enemies all ran awa' like scairt cattle .