Runrig - Abhainn an t-sluaigh

The week has passed its prime and the weekend peeks over the horizon with its promise of time to get away from the crowded streets ...

"Abhainn an t-sluaigh" (The Crowded River) by Runrig is about the need to get out of the big city. When I close my eyes, listening to this song I can feel the river ebbing and flowing out of the city into the marches and heading for the sea. I hope you enjoy ...

Chaneil an t-adhar os cionn Lunnainn
a nochd soileir no dorch.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

Gun sgial air coinneal mor latha
No reultan na h-oidhche.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

An sea s'am baile gun chadal
Gun fhois is gun saorsa.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

Casan a' gluasad
An abhainn an tuil.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

Na cuibhlichean's cabhaig
A tionndaidh gun sgur.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

Cus ag adhradh beairteas
Air altair an tshaoghail.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

Cach gun dochas gun dachaidh
Air sraidean un ghaol.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

Leis gach dath s'gach creideamh
Gach cainnt as gach cearn.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

Gach ceist is gach freagairt
Sios an abhainn gu cuan.
Fada bho abhainn an t-sluaigh.

(translation)

The skies above London
Are neither clear nor dark
The need to be far from the crowded river

Neither the great candle of daylight
Nor the stars of the night can be seen
The need to be far from the crowded river

In this city that never sleeps
there is stillness, no quiet
The need to be far from the crowded river

Footsteps keep moving
The river in full flood
The need to be far from the crowded river

The relentless wheels
Keep turning without pause
The need to be far from the crowded river

Many worshipping wealth
At the world's altar
The need to be far from the crowded river

Others without hope or home
On streets that hold no love
The need to be far from the crowded river

Races creeds and tongues
From all corners of the globe
The need to be far from the crowded river

All questions and answer
Rushing down the river to the ocean
The need to be far from the crowded river