A’ chiarag ghrinn a dh’fhàg mi tiamhaidh, dìoghrasach, gun bhrìgh

A’ chiarag ghrinn a dh’fhàg mi tiamhaidh, dìoghrasach, gun bhrìgh
’S i a dh’fhàg mi, ghabh mi, dh’fhàg mi ’n seo leam fhìn lem mhiann
’S mi a thill, a thilleas, sireadh binneas, dèinead, pian

Teas agus deòthas
is deòthas is teas
a bhios uair an dèidh uair
’gintinn pràmh agus gean;
teas agus deòthas
is deòthas is teas
a bhios uair an dèidh uair
a’ lùghdachadh meas

A’ chiarag ghrinn a dh’fhàg mi tiamhaidh, dìoghrasach, gun bhrìgh

The Gaelic term 'cionran' has fallen out of use but it is defined as "melancholy music". The song's 'ciarag', a Gaelic term literally defined as 'little female dark one', is an allegory for melancholia. Melancholia ultimately derives from an Ancient Greek word applied to the condition of having black bile. Jackie Bowring has recently cogently argued that melancholia, or melancholy is not a negative emotion, for which much of history it wasn't, it is, rather, "a desirable condition, sought for its 'sweetness' and intensity" (A Field Guide to Melancholy, Harpenden Oldcastle Books, 2008). This song explores this theme.