With possibly one of the
best and most recognised voices in the world of Gaelic song, Donald Joseph MacKinnon (1907–1962), styled Dòmhnall Iòsaph mac
Ruairidh Iain Bhàin, and commonly known as An Eòsag [Little Joseph],
has rightly earned himself an enviable reputation. MacKinnon was born in
Bruernish, isle of Barra, and was the son of Roderick MacKinnon, styled Ruairidh
Iain Bhàin (whose sister was Mòr, bean
Shomhairle Bhig).
One of Donald Joseph MacKinnon’s older
sisters was none other than Mrs Katie Buchanan, styled Ceit Ruairaidh Iain Bhàin, another remarkably talented singer. MacKinnon’s
mother tragically died when he was only two years of age and so thenceforth was
brought up by his two sisters, Ceit and Sìne. For bravery shown at Dunkirk
whilst aboard the RMS King George V, MacKinnon was commended and awarded the
Distinguished Service Medal. His later career in the Merchant Navy stood him in
good stead and saw him rise to the rank of Captain on MacBrayne’s steamer, the
Lochmor.
He and his wife Neilina ‘Nellie’ MacPherson
(1907–1992), from Griminish, Benbecula, settled at Kenneth Drive, Lochboisdale,
South Uist, with their family of a son and three daughters: Chrissie, Margaret,
Donalda and Roddy. He and his wife were buried in Hallin cemetery, South Uist.
An elegy, entitled Marbhrann do Dhòmhnall Eosaibh MacFhionghuin, Sgiobair na
Lochmoir, was composed by Donald MacDonald from Ard-Chuig, Benbecula:
Gur duilich, duilich, duilich leam,
Gur muladach ri inns’,
Gun tugadh ás ar cuideachd
Neach cho urramach ’s a bh’ innt’,
Nuair sgaoil an naidheachd dhuilich
Gun deach dubhar air an tìr,
Co-dhiùbh air feadh nan Eileanan;
Sud deireadh do gach aon.
Nuair thàinig ugainn sgeul a’ bhròin
Gu brònach bha gach aon;
’S beag bha dhùil aig aon bha beò,
De eòlaich bha ri thaobh,
Gu robh a bheatha tighinn gu ceann
’S an t-àm air teannadh dlùth
Ri dealachadh ri caraid còir
A bhios ri ’r beò ’nar cuimhn’.
A Dhòmhnaill Eòsaibh, ’s duilich leam
Do ghuth a bhith ’gar dìth;
Bu tric a-measg na cuideachd thu
Toirt luinneag dhuinn ás ùr;
A nis cha chluinnear tuilleach thu
’S chan fhaicear thu sa’ chùirt
Far ’m bitheadh do ghàire cridhealach
Toirt spionnaidh dha’n bhiodh cruinn.
Maraiche nan tonnan gorm’
Ri sneachd is stoirm no ciùin;
Toirt misneachd do gach sean is òg
A bhiodh air bòrd san luing;
Bhiodh tèarainteachd fo do làimh,
’S command agad air stiùir;
’S ruigeadh tu leo sàbhailt’
Do’n chala san robh dùil.
Dhearbh thu euchdan sònraichte
Measg leòntach an Caol na Fraing’,
’Gan dìon ’s ’gan aiseag sàbhailte
O’n tràigh air an robh ’n call;
Cha deachaidh mail chur annad
Ach ’gan cruinneachadh gut rang,
’S toirt air bòrd na b’ urrainn dhut
’S ruigheachd leotha nall.
Neach bha riamh a’ còmhradh riut
No seòladh leat air chuan
’S a chuala gun do chàireadh thu
A Hàlann anns an uaigh,
Gun tuig mi fhìn an càradh;
Gum bi mànran-san ’nam chluais,
Bhith cuimhneachadh gun chàireadh thu
Gu bràth san dachaidh bhuain.
His
obituary from The Oban Times is here
reproduced in full:
POPULAR
MACBRAYNE SKIPPER
The Late
Captain D. J. Mackinnon
The death of Captain Donald Joseph Mackinnon (’n Iosag) the master of Lochmor has removed
at an early age one of the best-known figures in the Outer Hebrides.
There are a few people in Harris, Benbecula, Barra
and the two Uists who will not remember him on the deck of one or other of
MacBrayne’s ships. The large number who knelt at his graveside in Hallin, South
Uist, on that cold January day represented only a small proportion of those who
heard the news of his passing with a deep sense of personal loss.
His powerful, handsome frame and his radiant warmth
of heart made him a singularly attractive person. His birth in Barra 54 years
ago predetermined his way of life. He was the son of Roderick Mackinnon
(Rua[i]ridh Iain Bhain) who will long be remembered as an unsurpassed singer of
Gaelic folk songs. The young Donald John inherited his father’s melodious voice
and at an early age absorbed a worthy portion of his wonderful repertoire.
Like so many of his compatriots he went to sea as
soon as he left school and continued to grace his chosen career until his
untimely death.
His dedication to his fellow men received national
recognition when he was rewarded the D.S.M. for service aboard the R.M.S. King
George V on the Dunkirk beaches and in other ports of war-torn France. His
other acts of service will never be fully enumerated as they are known only in
the hearts of those who benefited by them. The infirm and young, to whose
comfort the captain so often sacrificed his own bed on a stormy Minch crossing,
will never forget him.
Nor will those of many nationalities and walks of
life who had the unique privilege of standing with him on Lochmor’s bridge
while he poured from his great heart songs of his heritage. A Minch crossing in
those circumstances was far too short.
To his widow and family the heartfelt sympathy of
his many friends goes out with the hope that their association with such a man
will support them in their grief.
A.M.
An Eòsag was recorded extensively by Calum Maclean, Dr Alasdair Maclean, Alan Lomax, John Lorne Campbell, James Ross as well as others. A highly recommended selection of recordings, entitled Mo Làmh air an Stiùir: An Eòsag, Capt. D. J. MacKinnon, from various archives was recently produced by Ceòlas and gives a representative taste of not only his extensive repertoire but also his sheer ability to sing in traditional fashion some of the best Gaelic songs. Well over one hundred separate items recorded from his recitation are available to listen to on the Tobar an Dualchais / Kist o Riches website.
References:
A. M., ‘POPULAR
MACBRAYNE SKIPPER: The Late Captain D. J. Mackinnon’, The Oban Times (3 February 1962)
Dòmhnall
Dòmhnallach (Àird-Chuig, Benbecula), ‘Marbhrann do Dhòmhnall Eòsaibh
MacFhionghuin, Sgiobair na Lochmóir’, Gairm,
air. 40 (An Samhradh, 1962), pp. 308–09
Interview
with Donald Joseph MacKinnon and Alan Lomax:
The
CD Mo Làmh air an Stiùir: An Eòsag, Capt.
D. J. MacKinnon is available at the Ceòlas online shop: http://www.ceolas.co.uk/shop/
Image:
An Eòsag: Captain Donald Joseph MacKinnon, 1930s
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