Óró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile
Óró, Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile (sometimes erroneously titled Óró Sé do Bheath Abhaile) (Irish pronunciation: [ˈoːɾˠoː ʃeː d̪ˠə ˈvʲahə ˈwalʲə]) is a traditional Irish song, that came to be known as an Irish rebel song in the early 20th century. The title translates as "You are welcome home."
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[edit] History
The song in its original form, Séarlas Óg (meaning "Young Charles" in Irish) refers to Bonnie Prince Charlie and dates back to the third Jacobite rising in 1745-6.
In the early 20th century it received new verses by the nationalist poet Padraig Pearse and was often sung by IRA members and sympathisers, during the Easter Rising. It was also sung as a fast march during the Irish War of Independence.
Since 1916 it has also been known under various other titles, notably Dord na bhFiann (Call of the Fighters) or An Dord Féinne. The latter title is associated with Padraig Pearse in particular. This version is dedicated to the pirate or "Great Sea Warrior" Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley). She was a formidable power on the west coast of Ireland in the late 16th century.
[edit] Performances and inspiration
The song has been sung widely by ballad groups such as The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Dubliners, The Cassidys, Noel McLoughlin, The McPeake Family, Thomas Loefke & Norland Wind, and the Wolfe Tones. Óró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile was also sung by sean-nós singer Darach Ó Catháin, Dónall Ó Dúil (on the album Faoin bhFód) and by Nioclás Tóibín. The song has received more modern treatments from John Spillane, The Twilight Lords, Cruachan, Tom Donovan, and Sinéad O'Connor. There is also a classical orchestral version by the Irish Tenors. Óró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile was also used in the 2006 film The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
The number and variety of performances indicates how widely known the song is. It was widely sung in state primary schools in the early and middle 20th century.
The air was "borrowed" and used for the well known sea shanty, What shall we do with a drunken sailor.[citation needed] Boxer Steve Collins used the song as his ring entrance music for all seven of his WBO supermiddleweight title defenses in the mid nineties.
[edit] Lyrics
The original versions' lyrics, which are in the public domain, are as follows:
[edit] Original Jacobite Version
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[edit] English translation
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[edit] Padraig Pearse Version
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[edit] English translation
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[edit] Notes
- ^ Some versions have "B'fhearr liom thú ná céad bó bhainne", which translates as "I'd prefer you to a hundred milk cows"
- ^ Bonnie Prince Charlie, Charles Edward Stuart
- ^ James, Prince of Wales, James Francis Edward Stuart
- ^ Some versions have "B'fhearr liom thú ná céad bó bhainne", which translates as "I'd prefer you to a hundred milk cows"
- ^ Some versions have Frainc, i.e. French, instead of Gaill.
