Sc. Also jurram. [Gaelic iorram, iurram.] A Gaelic boat-song: improperly extended to other songs or choruses.
1774. Pennant, Tour Scotl. in 1772, 291. Our boat’s crew … gave a specimen of marine musick, called in the Erse, Jorrams.
1805. in Jamieson, Scot. Songs (1870), 366. The cronach stills the dowie heart The jurram stills the bairnie.
1814. [Mrs. Johnstone], Saxon & Gael, I. xiii. 170. What would they think to hear … the girls sing a jorram at a waulking?
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xlvi. The jorram, or melancholy boat-song of the rowers, coming on the ear with softened and sweeter sound.
1891. Scottish Rev., Oct., 331. The iorram was intended to be sung by the rowers.
