[fkaser] GAELIC FOLK-SONGS OF CANADA S7 



profit in the Gaelic settlements. One or two examples will show the 

 bright spirit that pervaded them — a contrast to Buchanans sombre 

 earnestness : 



Translated: — 



(1) " Hark! Sion loud rings her King's hig-h praises, 



She sings and raises her voice, 



His love to proclaim wiio came to aid her, 



His name, who made her his choice. 



Hallelujahs prolong the song that's given, 



Among wide Heaven's bright host, 



And those -who while here, lies near to Jesus 



That dear sound pleases them most." 



These lines may also serve as an example of that assonance whioh 

 is characteristic of Gaelic versification, — the " leonine rhyme." 



Translated: — 



(2) " In ilka trial we hae tae bear 



We'll nestle neair him, thea-e's shelter there, 

 For if we trust Him, whate'^r betide us. 

 He'll siave and guide us for ever mair. 



His frien's on earth He will ne'er disclaim. 

 But bring wd' joy a' that loe his name, 

 Frae His dear presence nae mair tae sever, 

 But share for ever His Lasting Hame. 



The year 1786 witnessed the arrival in Canada of a man of nota, 

 whose life-work will not be forgotten among the Gael. Rev. Dr. James 

 Macgregor, the Gaelic Hymnis't was born in 1759, at Portmore, in 

 Perthshire. He settled at Piotou as a missionary, and preached in 

 Gaelic to the Highlanders. A talented and scholarly divine, he com 

 posed hymns and religious poems which became popular among the 

 Highlanders of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. They were sung in 

 almost every family, and the testimony of the early ministers of the 

 Gospel in the Maritime provinces is to the effect that these pooms made 

 a deep impression on the people. AVhile known, they were not widely 

 used in Tapper Canada, at least, I have not been able to trace them 

 much beyond the manses of the Gaelic speaking clergymen of Ontario, 

 but MaeGregor's collection sold well in Scotland and in ISTova Scotia. 

 In the v\-est Picv. F. J. MacLeod published a book of hymns and spir- 

 itual songs, at Toronto, which found acceptance among the Kelts of 

 northern and western Ontario — Victoria, Grey and Bruce counties. 

 A poet better known that JMr McLeod, was the Rev. Donald Monro, 

 whose volume of Gaelic verses appeared in 1848, with an encouraging 

 list of subscribers. Mr. Monro was a native of Kilmartin, Argyllshire, 

 and settled in Glengarry in the forties, removing thence to the town- 

 ship of Finch where he enjoyed a lengthened ministry. He died in 



