Lament for Donald of Laggan

Information

This tune was composed by Patrick Mor MacCrimmon. It is found in the Campbell Canntaireachd, the manuscripts of Angus and John MacKay and of Duncan Campbell.  The Piobaireachd Society prints the setting of Angus MacKay with some modifications of pointing according to Alexander Cameron's teaching.

A full story about Donald of Laggan is given in the PS book 8 notes, communicated in 1912 by the Rev A J MacDonald, Killearnan, historian of the Clan MacDonald.

"Donald of Lagan was born in 1543, succeeding Glengarry in 1574, and died aged 102 on 2nd February 1645, the day of the Battle of Inverlochy......His heir was Alexander, known as Alastair Dearg; but he died before his father.......Many traditions are recorded of Domhnul an Lagain.  In an old MS history of the MacKenzies he is accused of idolatory among many other heinous sins......

Isabella MacDonald was the daughter of Donald of Lagan.  She died at the age of 103.  For several years before her death she was lulled to sleep by MacCrimmon, in an adjoining room, playing "Cumha Dhomhnuill an Lagain" her father's lament."

Judges Note 2012

Although usually played in fairly uniform fashion, there is scope for different ways of playing the first phrase of the ground. The first two bars could be represented in 6/4 and 5/4 time respectively, with the rest in 4/4. Binneas shows the crunluath breabach timed the same way as the taorluath, and this style, although seldom heard, is also attractive.

Available in:

PS Book 6, Kilberry

More

Angus MacKay Manuscript V2 Donald MacDonell of Laggan's Lament
John MacKay Manuscript Nameless (Donald of Laggan) 8
Kintarbert (Angus MacKay) Manuscript Donald of Laggan's Lament 24
CC V1 25 One of the Cragich
John MacDougall-Gillies Manuscript Lament MacDonell of Laggan
Colin Cameron Manuscript 14 Donald MacDonell of Laggan’s Lament
Ballindalloch MS Donald MacDonell of Laggan Lament
CC V1 25 One of the Cragich - staff notation