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The Gaelic Poetry of Donald John MacDonald
Bàrdachd Dhòmhnaill Iain Dhonnchaidh

Edited by Bill Innes with introductions, notes and parallel translation
A new preface by Lena Walker

“Bha uair a bha sinn a’ dèanamh nan òran airson an seinn; tha sinn a-nist a’ sgrìobhadh na bàrdachd airson a leughadh.”
Thàinig Dòmhnall Iain Dhonnchaidh à teaghlach bogte ann an eachdraidh agus cultar nan Gàidheal – gu tur bhon bheul-aithris. Bho òige bha smachd aige air seann mheadrachd  ann am briathrachas beairteach nam bàrd clasaigeach. Ach nuair a dh’fhalbh an taigh-cèilidh, thionndaidh e gu feallsantachd ann an nuadh-bhàrdachd air cuspairean mòra an t-saoghail – gaol, creideamh, nàiseantachd, cogadh agus bàs. Nuadh-bhàrdachd – ach cuideachd a’ cur an cèill briathrachas ceòlmhor, dealbhach nan seann bhàrd a tha cho tlachdmhor dhan chluais ’s a tha e drùidhteach dhan inntinn.

“Once we made songs to be sung; now we write poems to be read.”
Donald John MacDonald emerged from a family steeped in the oral culture of the Gael with complete mastery of centuries-old classical metres. His importance in the Gaelic canon rests on his evolution into a modern literary poet-philosopher. His work deals with universal issues of love, religion, nationalism, war and death – but still resounds with the vocal melody and concrete imagery of the traditional bard. This new edition of his poems has given the opportunity to refresh translations which can only attempt to reflect the rich lyricism of the originals – which give pleasure to the ear as well as to the mind.