O Cho Meallt - Runrig

Nuair a bha sinn og is saor

Thoisich sinn a seinn 'sa Ghaidhlig

Sniomh ceol is a sgriobhadh orain

'S a cluaich 'nar comhlan 'son ar bheoshlaint

O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal

Dh’fhag sinn eileanan an iar

'S thoisich sinn a cluich tro Alba

is bha gnothaichean mar bu choir

Gun do nochd an duine mor a Lunnain

O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal

'Abair ceol a th’agaibh an seo

O nach tig sibh comhla riumsa

Is ni sinn ahhartas tron an t-saoghal

Direach cur t-ainm aig bonn a' phaipear

O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal

'Chan athairreach min an ceol agaibh ann

Chan atharraich mi na h-orain Chaidlig'

Ach chuala sinn mu dheireadh thall

Na briagan’s na faclan falamh

O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal

Sibhse a tha og agus saor

Stad mas cur sibh ainm ri paipear

Is cum a mach suil 'son nan daoine mora

An saoghal fuar tha ag adhradh airgead

O cho meallt is a tha an saoghal

When we were young and free

We started singing in Gaelic

Spinning music and writing songs

And play as a band for our livelihood

O how deceitful the world is

We left the Western Isles

And we started playing it all over Scotland

and things were going well

That the big man showed up for London

O how deceitful the world is

'What music you have here

Oh don't come with me

We will make progress through the world

Just put your name at the bottom of the paper

O how deceitful the world is

'Your music is not a fine father

I will not change the Gaelic songs'

But we finally heard

The words are empty words

O how deceitful the world is

You who are young and free

Stop before signing a paper

And keep an eye out for the big people

The cold world worships money

O how deceitful the world is