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Everything Else => General Discussion => Topic started by: Craig d:^) on December 28, 2007, 09:20PM



Title: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Craig d:^) on December 28, 2007, 09:20PM
I am always seeking songs in the Irish language to listen to and I wanted to share with you all someone that you might enjoy as much as I do.

Our Celtic Woman ladies are and will always be at the very top of my favorites list, but I love to listen to a singer who is the lead singer for the Irish Tradional band of Danú.  Her name is  Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (pronounced MWI-ren Nick OWL-eve) and she grew up on Inisheer (Aran Islands) and Cape Clear, then to Dún Chaoin overlooking the Blaskets in West Kerry.  She is one of the best sean-nós (old style) singers that I have heard.

If you have a passion for songs in Irish, or just a passion for some real beautiful singing, take a look at her myspace page:   http://www.myspace.com/muireannmusic (http://www.myspace.com/muireannmusic)  The page has several of her songs from her new CD" Daybreak: Fáinne an Lae".  There are even a few songs in English.   Her regular website is:  http://www.muireann.ie/ (http://www.muireann.ie/)

You probably haven't heard of her, but after you give a listen, you will surely want to hear her a lot more.

Spraoi a dhéanamh.....Have fun.....Craig :D


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Siobhan on December 28, 2007, 09:37PM
I'm currently on the second to last song, Craig  :D  She has such an amazing voice and her Irish songs are particularly beautiful, IMO.


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Craig d:^) on December 28, 2007, 09:42PM
I'm currently on the second to last song, Craig  :D  She has such an amazing voice and her Irish songs are particularly beautiful, IMO.

You can say that again! :D  I have her CD and it is in my player just about as often as the Celtic Woman CD's are.

She was brought up with some of the bedrock of Irish singing and it shows.

If you or anyone wants the lyrics to the songs, I would be glad to post them up.

:D


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Siobhan on December 28, 2007, 09:43PM
If you or anyone wants the lyrics to the songs, I would be glad to post them up.

Oh don't hold back!  I would love them!


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Texas Chava on December 28, 2007, 10:02PM
What beautiful music Craig, thank you so much for sharing the links with us.


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Craig d:^) on December 28, 2007, 10:17PM
Since I cut hay for a living, I really like this one, that is on her myspace page....

An Spealadoir

 Lyrics:      English Translation:
     
Le meán an fhómhair dá chaitheamh dom    By mid-autumn I was spent
Ba mhór dubhach mo scéal    My story was a very sad one
Go breoite, brónach, atuirseach    Sick, sorrowful and weary was I
Gan sólás insa' tsaol    Without consolation in life
Mo pháircín féir gan gearradh uaim    My little field of grass uncut
De dheascaibh clainn an Bhreacluain    On account of the family of Brackloon
'Gus féar na gcomharsan treascartha    And the neighbors' grass already cut
Á chíoradh le gréin    And dried by the sun
     
Curfá:    Chorus:
Dá bhfaighinnse speal ó Shasana    If I had a scythe from England
'Gus crann ó Locha Léin    And a handle from Lough Leane
Cloch is clár is gaineamh air    A stone and a board and sand on it
Ó dhúiche Uí Néill    From the country of O'Neill
Do chuirfinn faobhar ar maidin suas    I would give it an edge in the morning
'Sheasódh ar feadh na seachtaine    That would stand for the whole week
Is bearrtha 'bheadh an t-acra    And the acre would be cut
Le fáinne an lae    By daybreak
     
Do shmaoiníos féin im' aigne    I was thinking to myself
San oíche trím' néal    At night while I slept
Go raibh beirt fhear óga chalma    That there were two brave young men
Do mhaíomh a bhfaobhar    Boasting of their sharpness
Féna ndéin do ghaibh mo theachtaire    My message was dispatched to them
Chun mo pháircín féin do ghearradh dhom    To cut my little field for me
'S is grámhar, fáilteach freagarthach    And loving, welcoming, responsive
Do thánadar araon    They both came
     
(Curfá)    (Chorus)
     
I gcóir is i bhfaobhar bhí speal acu    Ready and sharp they had a scythe
Le fáinne an lae    At daybreak
'S do luíodar siúd go slachtmhar glan    And they leaned cleanly and tidily
Is iad ag baint an fhéir    Into the work of cutting the grass
Seala beag don eadartha    A little before milking time
'S a lán don lá gan caitheamh fós    And a great part of the day not yet spent
Do bhí dóthain siúd di leagaithe    Enough of it was cut
'S é bearrtha go cré    And it shaved to the earth
     
(Curfá 2x)    (Chorus 2x)


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Craig d:^) on December 28, 2007, 10:25PM
This one is very haunting, sang sean-nós, with just a guitar by the great Gerry O'Beirne....

Slán Le Máigh

Lyrics:      English Translation:
     
Ó slán is céad on taobh so uaim    A hundred farewells from this place I'm in
Cois Maighe na gcaor na gcraobh na gcruach    Beside Maigue of the berries, the branches, the stacks
Na stát, na séad, na soar, na slua    The estates, the jewels, the craftsmen, the crowds
Na ndán, na ndréacht, na dtréan gan ghruaim    The arts, the stories, the good-humored warriors
     
Curfá:    Chorus (after each verse):
Och, ochón is breoite mise    Oh it is ill I am
Gan chuid, gan chóir, gan chóip, gan chiste    Without a share, or right, or company, or money
Gan sult, gan seoid, gan spórt, gan spionnadh    Without happiness, or jewels, or sport, or vitality
Ó seoladh mé chun uaignis    Since I was sent into loneliness
     
Slán go héag dá, soar-fhir suairc    Farewell forever to her happy freeman
Dá daimh, dá heigs', dá chléir, dá suag    To her love of kin, her gatherings, her clergy, her scholars
Dom chaired cléibh, gan chlaon, gan chluain    To the friends of my heart, not perverse or deceitful
Gan cháim, gan chaon, gan chraos, gan chruas    Without flaw, without concealment, without gluttony, without stinginess
     
Slán dá n-éis, dá beithibh uaim    Good-bye, one by one, to its beautiful women
Da gcail, dá gceill, dá scéimh, dá snua    To their fame, their sense, their loveliness, their complexions
Dá mná go léir, dá gcéim, dá gcuaird    To all its women, to their rank, their visitations
Da bpráisc, dá bplé, dá méin, dá mbua    Their messing, their discussions, their minds and their talents


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Craig d:^) on December 28, 2007, 10:43PM
Another slow aire that is on her myspace page.....

An Cailín Deas Crúite Na mBó      The Pretty Milkmaid

Lyrics:      English Translation:
     
Tá bliain is níos mó agam ag éisteacht    I am listening for more than a year
Le cogar doilíosach mo mheoin    To my mind's melancholy whispering
Ó casadh liom gra gheal mo chléibhe    Since I met the bright love of my heart
Tráthnóna beag déanach sa bhFómhar    One evening late in autumn
Bhí an bhó bhainne cumhra ag géimeach    The cow of the fragrant-smelling milk was lowing
Is na héanlaith go meidhreach le cheol    And the birds were merry with song
Is ar bhruach an t-srutháin ar leath-thaobh díom    And on the bank of the stream by my side
Bhí an cailín deas crúite na mbó    Was the pretty milkmaid
     
Tá a súile mar lonradh na gréine    Her eyes are like the shining sun
Ag scaipeadh tré spéarthaibh an cheoidh    Dispersing the mist through the skies
Is is deirge a grua ná na caortha    And her cheeks are redder than the rowan trees
Ar lasadh i measc craobha na gcnoc    Alight among the branches on the hill
Tá a béilín níos milse ná sméartha    Her mouth is sweeter than blackberries
Is is gile ná leamhnacht a snó    And her complexion brighter than new milk
Níl óigbhean níos deise sa tsaol so    There is not a lovelier young woman in the world
Ná an cailín deas crúite na mbó    Than the pretty milkmaid
     
Dá bhfaighinnse árd Tiarnas na hÉireann    If I were to receive High Lordship of Ireland
Éadacha, síoda is sróil    Clothing of silk or satin
Dá bhfaighinnse an bhanríon is airde    Or the highest queen that there is
Dá bhfuil ar an dtalamh so beo    Alive in this world
Dá bhfaighinnse céad loingis mar spré dhom    If I received a hundred ships as a dowry
Píoláidi, caisleáin is ór    Palaces, castles and gold
Bfhearr liom bheith fán ar na sléibhte    I would prefer to be wandering the hillsides
Lem chailín deas crúite na mbó    With my pretty milkmaid
     
Muna bhfuil sé i ndán dom bheith in éineacht    If it is not in store for me to be together
Leis an spéirbhean ró-dhílis úd fós    With that too-faithful beauty as yet
Is daoirseach, dubhrónach mo shaolsa    It is limited and sad my life will be
Gan suaimhneas, gan éifeacht, gan treo    Without peace, without merit, without direction
Ní bheidh sólás im chroí ná im intinn    There will be no consolation in my heart or my mind
Ná suaimhneas orm oíche ná ló    I will have no rest by night or day
Nó bhfeice mé taobh liom óna muintir    Until I see by my side from her people
Mo cailín deas crúite na mbó    My pretty milkmaid


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Méav_4EVER on December 28, 2007, 10:47PM
Who wrote the words to these? I like them a lot.


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Craig d:^) on December 28, 2007, 10:55PM
Who wrote the words to these? I like them a lot.

Most are old traditional tunes that have been arranged for her CD.  Some date back more than a hundred years and older.

Cut and paste the titles into Google and see if you can get the full history on each song.


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Kimberly AJ on December 29, 2007, 06:02AM
I sure love those translations. :)


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Craig d:^) on December 29, 2007, 09:21AM
I sure love those translations. :)

I do too.  That is the magic of songs in Irish, the poetry, the lilt, the emotion of song at its best.

I found these on a website called Celtic Corner, where they have the lyrics to just about every song in Gaeilge.  http://www.geocities.com/celticlyricscorner/index.htm (http://www.geocities.com/celticlyricscorner/index.htm)

The best way to listen to Muireann's songs are to go to her myspace page and let the songs play, while having a second browser open with these lyrics for you to look at.  You can then see how the words sound and see the translation as well.

This is a good way to learn, and memorize, Irish words and also get a peek into Irish life at the time that the song was penned.

Sláinte!


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Craig d:^) on January 20, 2008, 10:04AM
Hey everyone! :D I just found this You Tube entry that was just placed on the internet of  Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh singing "An Spealadóir" at an event this past summer.  Her new husband is playing the bazouki guitar next to her.   She also plays a couple of nice reels too.   I think that you will enjoy it, very much.   The lyrics are posted on this thread up above.....so click on the You Tube link and watch it, then re-play it reading the words and you will understand the song.

Here is the link for you......  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC1QhQpWHP8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC1QhQpWHP8)

 :D :D :D :D


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Maggie on January 20, 2008, 05:49PM
Craig - may I say it's great to see you posting again....

and on such a wonderful subject.

I have loved Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Danú for some time...she is so versatile!
Not just a great sean-nós singer but an all-round musician.

I have a fabulous DVD called "One Night Stand"....not just marvellous music and songs, but interviews and extra bits.
I don't usually go for "live in concert" DVDs or CDs but this is one of the best I've seen.

I think I paid around $16 and it was worth double.

There are some clips on YouTube of Danú featuring Muireann, here is a breath-taking clip, you need to watch it all the way through:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-MrUX03mWM

Their concerts are so much fun!
Here they are playing some Kerry Tunes - check out the guy dancing - too funny!!!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0RInGkoMQk&feature=related

Here is a Seisiún just like the ones in pubs in Ireland......but this is Danú in Tel Aviv:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y-Nhfih_GY&feature=related


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: OldFatGuy on January 20, 2008, 10:12PM
For those who are interested, Muireann also has a MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/muireannmusic (http://www.myspace.com/muireannmusic) and a band web site at http://www.muireann.ie/ (http://www.muireann.ie/).


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Emer Dreamer on July 08, 2017, 08:38PM
   https://youtu.be/02Fx4xKwcG8      enjoy  one  of  Meav's  "sean nos"  style features....      :-*


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Celtic Chan on July 09, 2017, 04:05PM
   https://youtu.be/02Fx4xKwcG8      enjoy  one  of  Meav's  "sean nos"  style features....      :-*
QUEEN! ;D


Title: Re: Some Sean-nós singing to die for...
Post by: Emer Dreamer on July 12, 2017, 07:13PM
   https://youtu.be/02Fx4xKwcG8      enjoy  one  of  Meav's  "sean nos"  style features....      :-*
QUEEN! ;D
  The  best  !    :-*