Joy Dunlop

Joy Dunlop, a Scottish Gaelic speaker from Argyll, Scotland remains true to her roots through her singing. She is passionate and knowledgeable about all things Gaelic. Being a trained ballet dancer; Dunlop started step dancing as a teenager and in 2006, was crowned the Inter-Celtic Dance Champion. In 2007 she made her acting debut as a character in a popular Gaelic comedy. Dunlop had also written a monthly column in the Gaelic newspaper "An Gàidheal Ùr" which is no longer being published and was highly commended in the first-ever Gaelic Journalist section at the 2008 Highlands and Islands Media Awards. From 2004–2010 she had also worked as Gaelic Instructor within communities promoting and developing Gaelic language and song.

As both a solo and collaborative performer, she has performed throughout the world. Her debut album Dùsgadh / Awakening in 2010 came to great acclaim, winning the Scottish New Music Award's "Roots Recording of the Year. Fiere, a collaborative album, was released in 2012. Faileasan (Reflections), her second solo album, was released in 2013 which was created wholly from her native home. It received international airplay and glowing reviews worldwide.

‘Ma phòsas mi cha ghabh mi tè mhòr’ - is a strange song. Her voice is beautiful, clear and her pronunciations are perfect. The title means ‘If I marry at all, I wouldn't marry a tall girl’. A shorter girl would be more wished for?

‘An Roghainn’ - translates to ‘The Choice’. A gentle song with instruments keeping to the Scottish lands. It’s as if she was having a conversation with another. No replies are heard but she follows where the destination will lead her. It is a choice she must make wondering about a love as she ponders by the sea. At the end, she would leap from heaven or hell with her whole spirit and heart.

'S daor a cheannaich mi 'phòg - 'Dearly I Paid For The Kiss' -Dearly I paid for the kiss, that I received when young in the grass barn. It will forever be in my memory until I go under the turf and the narrow planked coffin, black with satin, tightened with a hammer.

‘Puirt à beul Earraghàidhealach’ - translates to ‘Argyll Mouth Music’. A hurdy gurdy plays then she starts to sing repetitious words as if in a round repeating “Han an an dò my fine haired pup”. Near the last part she goes into a richer repetition. “Dark girl I will not be courting you but as you go to the market, the boys there will.”

In ‘The Light Gatherer’, - Joy sings in English. Violins are stroked and plucked fading in and out. “When you were small the light gathered and was brought inside and was brought out from your personality. Such poignant singing. Soft and then forceful and following as with the violin. Light Gatherer.

‘Fiere’ - is sung in English with a heavy Scottish accent. The harp playing throughout giving emphasis to the song. It is very much worth listening to.

Hi il ò ‘s na hug i hò ro - the guitar strums out a pixie tune and the song is sung as if in a lullaby. Drums and bagpipes bring out the harmonies. In the woods the thrush sings of love and as the bird sings, love is given freely to the maiden it is meant for.

As with all her songs. She gently takes you deep into the Scottish lands.

For more information about Joy go to:

http://www.joydunlop.com/

For the translations of her songs go to:

http://www.joydunlop.com/music/lyrics

Click on a title and another window will come up with the original lyrics and the translations.

Denise L. @DL7855