Annotation:Caol Mhuile
X:0 T: No Score C: The Traditional Tune Archive M: K: x
CAOL MHUILE (The Narrows of Mull). AKA - "Caol Muile." AKA - "Iona Boat Song," "St. Columba's Hymn." Scottish, Air (6/4 time). G Major (Neil): A Major (Martin). Standard tuning (fiddle). One part. This ancient air is thought to be St. Columba's rowing song as he guided his coracle (a hide-covered frame boat) into the Sound of Mull on his pilgrimage to Alba. Columba, or Colum Cille, was an Irishman from County Donegal who was born of noble parentage in the year 521. He is famous for establishing over 100 monasteries, and especially for his ministry to the Scottish Picts, which began on Whit Sunday in 563 on the island of Iona or I-Colum Cille. For the next 34 years he missioned to the islands and Highlands. He was:
...an extraordinary character, with a vibrant and winning
personality, matched with great shrewdness. Many of the
miracles which he is adjudged to have performed can be
rationalized and accounted for by his great sense of foresight.
Throughout his life, he worked hand in hand with his followers,
and he took a very active part in the politics and affairs of his
people. He had a single purity of mind and a boundless love of
his fellow man, which rank him among the foremost saints of
Scotland. (Neil, 1991)