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Lament for the Only Son

Title

Alternative Title

Cumha an T'aon Mhic Lost the only son (Campbell Canntaireachd)

Artist

James Murray, WM MacDonald (to start of crunluath), Malcolm MacPherson, R U Brown, Bill Livingstone

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Information

This tune is thought to have been composed by Patrick Mor MacCrimmon. It is not known whether or not it is composed in respect of his son.

It is recorded in the Campbell Canntaireachd, in the manuscripts of Donald MacDonald and Angus MacKay. The details of the differences are in the PS book 6 note.

Judges Note 2014

This tune is in the collections of Donald MacDonald and John & Angus Mackay, but not until the publication of William Ross's book in 1885 does a settled version emerge similar to what is played today, the only difference being the inclusion of a tripling of the dithis. .

Although a very well known and fairly straightforward tune there is ample scope for personal interpretation and musical expression, particularly in the thumb variation and doubling - for example, in the treatment of the recurring high As. .

Donald MacLeod shortened these notes, Bob Nicol favoured an equal weighting of the pulse notes while Malcolm MacPherson played 'up' with the emphasis on the high As. Again in both singling and doubling of this variation one hears the opening notes of phrase one (GEA) played cut to low A and the other way around. .

Malcolm MacPherson also played rather open grip movements in the ground, in contrast to the much tighter style usually played today. Binneas and others emphasise the cadence Es whereas others play them very short.
A crunluath a mach is indicated in PS 9 and would normally be expected in this tune.

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Available in:

PS Book 6, Kilberry, Binneas

Donald MacDonald V2 The Only Son's Lament
Angus MacKay Manuscript Lament for the Only Son
John MacKay Manuscript Cumha an aon Mhic 37
CC V1 13 Lost The Only Son
David Glen's Book Lament, for the Only Son
Colin Cameron Manuscript 18 Lament for the only Son. Cumha a’n aona Mhic