Sailm nan Daoine (Psalms of the People) review – one man’s quest to preserve the music of Gaelic psalms | Video

TThere is no word in Scottish Gaelic for “moreish” – or if there is, it slips through Rob MacNeacail’s mind as he reaches for another biscuit in the church hall. MacNeacail is a Gaelic psalmist and the star of a gentle and beautiful film from Jack Archer who follows him on a journey to meet other musicians keeping the tradition alive. Not that you’ll learn too much about psalm history from this movie; it’s actually a snapshot of MacNeacail, at home in the Scottish Borders and then en route to the Outer Hebrides, Skye, Belfast and County Cork.

But no knowledge is necessary to enjoy the eloquent and well-crafted psalms, which have long been practiced in Free Presbyterian churches everywhere. Scotland. It is a community event: one person – the leader – sings a psalm line from the Bible, and everyone else sings slowly, each with his own interpretation, in turn. No instruments, only words; like the ocean, the sound comes in a rush and then recedes. It is painful; Close your eyes and you could be in an 18th century stone church.

It is a form of Christian worship, but MacNeacail’s interest seems to be cultural; his father was poet Angus MacNicholas who wrote in English and died in 2022. The lovely MacNeacail describes how Gaelic words can sometimes take away his English thoughts: “I’m being taken out of my mind and brain!” His day job is working in a home for adults with learning disabilities, where one of the residents is his sister Galina; they clearly worship each other. During his travels, MacNeacail’s love and humor shine through. On the Isle of Lewis, he sings with Gaelic hymnist Calum Martin. It’s like meeting Yoda! MacNeacail shouts. He is a pleasure to watch, and surely this beneficial film will help the singing of psalms to live.