Psalms of the People

A Gaelic psalm is a traditional form of Scottish song in which a solo voice (the precentor) leads a congregation by singing a line of a psalm. The congregation then sing the melody back while adding their own musical expressions. The result is a swelling chorus of call and response voices that sound unlike anything else. For musician Rob MacNeacail, the coming together of voices is a metaphor for community and identity. In documentary Sailm Nan Daoine (Psalms of the People), directed by Jack Archer, he ventures out on a journey across Scotland and Ireland to learn more about the music and its history. While the feature is disappointingly light on information, it offers a sublime insight into a part of Scotland’s musical heritage.

Throughout the documentary, Rob travels from his home in the picturesque village of Carlops on the Scottish Borders to various Gaelic-speaking communities throughout the country. He talks passionately to others involved in keeping the tradition alive while dropping the occasional fact about it. Although those familiar with the concept or who possess a basic grasp of music theory will be able to follow along with his poetic descriptions, those who aren’t could be in danger of getting lost. The film is likewise vague when it comes to explaining the music’s origins. While the Reformation is referenced alongside snippets about Rob’s family and broader connections to Celtic culture, neither of these topics is explored beyond short lines of dialogue.

What Archer does exceedingly well, however, is allowing viewers to experience the music. The filmmaker is happy to let audiences absorb the sounds for minutes at a time while taking in breathtaking scenery. It’s only by hearing the music that viewers can truly understand its power and what Rob means when he talks about unity. The musician also brings up ideas about Gaelic identity. At one point, he refers to the language “decolonising” his brain and speakers from older generations lament how the language is fading from use. Like the other issues raised, though, this discussion isn’t taken much further.

Sailm Nan Daoine aims to share Rob’s adoration of the traditional artform with viewers. Though the feature succeeds in immersing audiences within a rich and evocative soundscape, its lack of thematic depth leaves a lot to be desired.