Song of the day (21st January) – Clannad – “Coinleach Glas An Fhómhair” (Green Stubble-fields of Autumn).

Hey people! 🙂

Today I’d like to share with you a piece from Clannad that I really like. It’s traditional, and here are the English lyrics which are from

Celtic Lyrics’ Corner

On the green stubble-fields of autumn

I saw you, my sweetheart

Nice were your feet in shoes

And wonderful your nimble gait

Your hair the color of roses

And your ringlets tightly plaited

Alas that we’re not married

Or on board ship sailing away

 

The boys around here are

Complaining and getting fired up

And the ones with the high-piled hair

Are making homes for my brown-haired girl

If the King of Spain would

Go abroad with his assembled men

I would trample pasture and wilderness

And I would be with my brown-haired girl

 

If only my brown-haired girl and I

Were buying cows at the fair

Go and come first love

Until we go over to Gaoth-Bearra

Even if the tops of the branches were parted

And the swan were separated from the waves

That would not separate us

And those who go against us are foolish

Song of the day (8th December) – Enya – “Ebudae”.

This is a very interesting song by Enya. According to Enya’s lyricist – Roma Ryan – it was inspired by ancient sounds. As I understand it, the lyrics are a combination of mouth sounds, and some Irish and Scottish Gaelic. The song is also inspired by weaving, and the rhythm of it is the same as in weaving, that’s also what the lyrics concern. And as for the title, Ebudae is a pre Celtic name for Hebrides. So this is a very Celtic, very minimalistic piece, and I like this minimalistic feel about it. Here is the translation of the lyrics:

 

Look, women are working each day and into the night,

they sing of the brighter days that were,

the long road, back and forth forever.

 

Aoife Scott – “Do Mhuirnín Ó” (My Darling).

Hey people! 🙂

Today I have an amazing, beautiful Irish folk song for you. As far as I know, it’s title means “My Darling” in English, though I could be wrong about that. Aoife Scott is a young artist but her family environment was very folksy – she is the daughter of a famous Irish folk singer Frances Black – and thus the niece of Mary Black as well, they’re both quite acknowledged as vocalists and also used to sing in a family band that is quite a legend in Celtic music. Aoife’s cousin, Róisin O’Reilly, is a singer as well, and if I get it right Róisin also has a brother who is a musician.

I must say that I quite prefer Aoife’s music to her mum’s and aunt’s, though I appreciate that they are both very talented and have helped to make Celtic music more popular in the 20th century. But this song of Aoife is by far my most favourite. I just love the Celtic, melancholic feel of it. I have no idea about the lyrics other than understanding a couple words, and couldn’t find a translation, which is a shame, but I think the music alone and the sound of the Irish language are beautiful in their own way, even if you don’t know the lyrics.

Maire Brennan – “Oró” (Oh”.

Hi people. 🙂

Today, a song by Maire Brennan I want to share with you is a very lovely Gaelic lullaby. I love lullabies, I have a whole collection of them, and this one is among them. Not quite as brilliant and breathtaking as her sister’s “Song Of The Sandman” but very beautiful too. Here are the English lyrics.

 

Oh my little babe
Always stay by my side

Oh my darling
You give me hope, my darling

Sleep peacefully, sleep peacefully
Sleep peacefully, my sweet child…

Oh my little babe
Take my sure advice
My peaceful love

Oh my little babe
And a prayer from my heart
For the life in front of you

Sleep peacefully, sleep peacefully
Sleep peacefully, my sweet child…

Maire Brennan – “The Mighty One”.

Here is another song by Maire Brennan, also about God. I think the sound of it is very powerful, and it has more of an ethnofolk feel. The chorus is in Irish, and here is what it means in English.

  All my blessings from my heart to you
Isn’t the view delightful?
My blessing from my heart to you
And glory be to God

Song of the day (31st December) – Enya – “Oíche Chiúin” (Silent Night).

I have a niggling feeling that despite my love for Irish language there hasn’t been much Irish language music that I posted here actually. So here’s the Irish version of “Silent Night” in ENya’s exquisite performance. I just love it so, so much!