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"'''Amhrán na bhFiann'''" (Pronounced: 'ow-rawn na vian', ]: "'''A Soldier's Song'''") is the ] of the ] alternatively called ''Amhrán Náisiúnta na hÉireann''/''The National Anthem of Ireland''. The lyrics by Peadar Kearney and music by Kearney and Patrick Heeney it was first published in ''Irish Freedom'' in 1912 (though it was composed in 1907). "'''Amhrán na bhFiann'''" is the ] of the ] <sup>1</sup>. It is also known by the English translation of its title, "'''A Soldier's Song'''", as well as "'''Amhrán Náisiúnta na hÉireann'''/the '''National Anthem of Ireland'''". The lyrics of the song are by Peadar Kearney and the music by both Kearney and Patrick Heeney. It was composed in ] and first published in ''Irish Freedom'' in ].


== History == == History ==


The song was relatively unknown until it was sung at the ] (GPO) during the ] of ], and afterwards in British internment camps. The song became the official state anthem in ] when it replaced the unofficial anthem ]. ] served as the anthem of the ] until the independent ] was established in ]. The continued use of God Save the King by some Irish people caused embarrassment to the new Irish state; Irish ] ] famously refused to attend a public function in ] when he discovered that the College intended playing it during his visit. (A minority continued to sing it, as indeed they continued to pray for the King and Queen in religious ceremonies, right up until the declaration of the ] in ].) "Amhrán na bhFiann" was relatively unknown until it was sung by rebels in the ] (GPO) during the ] of ], and afterwards in British internment camps. The song became the official state anthem in ] when it replaced the unofficial anthem "]".


] served as the anthem of the ] until the independent ] was established in ]. The continued use of God Save the King by some Irish people caused embarrassment to the new Irish state, and, on one famous occassion, ] ] refused to attend a public function in ] when he discovered that the College intended playing the anthem during his visit.
== Variation ==


Even after the adoption of "Amhrán na bhFiann" as the official anthem a minority continued to sing the British anthem, as indeed they continued to pray for the King and Queen in religious ceremonies, right up until the declaration of the ] in ].
The anthem consists of the Chorus only, (beginning <i>Sinne Fianna Fáil . . .</i> to<i> . . . Amhrán na bhFiann.</i> below). The first two lines and the last two, played together, form the Irish 'Presidential Salute', played when Her Excellency the ] attends events.
In recent years, a number of Irish newspapers and columnists have proposed replacing "Amhrán na bhFiann" with a new national anthem, arguing that the current wording is excessively militant and anti-British. Others have argued that the melody is difficult for bands to play.


The difficulty of anthem has often been witnessed at international sporting events, where either the ''entire'' song (not just chorus that is the actual anthem) is played (as occurred, for example, at the Los Angeles Olympics) or the right part is played but at the wrong speed, as occurred at the recent Syndey Olympics in ].
== Controversy ==


In recent years, a number of Irish newspapers and columnists have proposed replacing <i>Amhrán na bhFiann</i> with a new Irish national anthem, arguing that the current wording is excessively violent and anti-British. Others have argued that the melody is difficult for bands to play (as Ireland regularly experiences at international sporting events, where either the <i>entire</i> song (not just chorus that is the actual anthem) is played - this occurred at the Los Angeles Olympics, for example - or the right part is played but at the wrong speed, which occurred at the recent olympics). A new sporting anthem, '<i>]</i>' is now used at international ] matches, because the Irish rugby team is drawn from the whole island, and is supported by nationalists <i>and</i> unionists, whereas Amhrán na bhFiann is merely the anthem of the twenty-six county ]. However it seems unlikely in the short term at least that <i>Amhrán na bhFiann</i> will be replaced as the National Anthem, though another idea, that like ] after ] it should change the words while keeping the original melody, has been suggested. A new sporting anthem, "]", is now used at international ] matches, because the Irish rugby team is drawn from the whole island, and is supported by both nationalists and unionists alike, whereas Amhrán na bhFiann is only ''officially'' the anthem of the southern Republic of Ireland. However it seems unlikely, in the short term at least, that "Amhrán na bhFiann" will be replaced as the national anthem. The suggestion has also been made that, as occurred in ] after ], the government might change the words of the anthem while keeping the original melody.


== The Words == == The words ==


The Irish national anthem consists only of the chorus of "Amhrán na bhFiann", and is almost always sung in Irish. The first two lines of the anthem and the last two, played together, form the Irish "Presidential Salute", which is played when the ] attends official events. Only the part of "Amhrán na bhFiann" used for the anthem is given below. For the full song see: ].
NOTE: In the English version of the chorus, the Gaelic ''bhearna bhaoil'' is sung instead of the English translation "gap of danger". The Gaelic is roughly pronounced "VAHR-na veel", which fits into the English rhyming scheme.


It should be noted that, in the English version of the chorus, the ] "''bhearna bhaoil''" is sung instead of the English translation: "gap of danger". The Irish is roughly pronounced "''vahr-na veel''", and fits more easily the English rhyming scheme.
=== As Gaeilge ===
Seo dhibh a cháirde duan Oglaigh,
Cathréimeach briomhar ceolmhar,
Ár dtinte cnámh go buacach táid,
'S an spéir go min réaltogach
Is fonnmhar faobhrach sinn chun gleo
'S go tiúnmhar glé roimh thíocht do'n ló
Fé chiúnas chaomh na hoiche ar seol:
Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.


===Irish version===
Sinne Fianna Fáil
A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn,
buion dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Fé mhóid bheith saor.
Sean tír ár sinsir feasta
Ní fhagfar fé'n tiorán ná fé'n tráil
Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil
Le guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléar
Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.


:Sinne Fianna Fáil
Cois bánta réidhe, ar árdaibh sléibhe,
:A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn,
Ba bhuachach ár sinsir romhainn,
:buion dár slua
Ag lámhach go tréan fé'n sár-bhrat séin
:Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Tá thuas sa ghaoith go seolta
:Fé mhóid bheith saor.
Ba dhúchas riamh d'ár gcine cháidh
:Sean tír ár sinsir feasta
Gan iompáil siar ó imirt áir,
:Ní fhagfar fé'n tiorán ná fé'n tráil
'S ag siúl mar iad i gcoinne námhad
:Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
:Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil
:Le guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléar
:Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.


===English version===
--Curfa--


:Soldiers are we
A bhuíon nách fann d'fhuil Ghaeil is Gall,
:whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Sin breacadh lae na saoirse,
:Some have come
Ta scéimhle 's scanradh i gcroíthe namhad,
:from a land beyond the wave.
Roimh ranna laochra ár dtire.
:Sworn to be free,
Ár dtinte is tréith gan spréach anois,
:No more our ancient sire land
Sin luisne ghlé san spéir anoir,
:Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
'S an bíobha i raon na bpiléar agaibh:
:Tonight we man the gap of danger
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
:In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
:'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal,
:We'll chant a soldier's song.


==Footnote==
--Curfa--
#''Amhrán na bhFiann'' may be pronounced: "ow-rawn na vian".


==External links==
=== In English ===


===Full version===
We'll sing a song, a soldier's song,
* text of the entire song from .
With cheering rousing chorus,
As round our blazing fires we throng,
The starry heavens o'er us;
Impatient for the coming fight,
And as we wait the morning's light,
Here in the silence of the night,
We'll chant a soldier's song.


===Video and audio files===
Soldiers are we
* simple sequence (7.4KB) from .
whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
* (1.0MB) anthem played by the Army Band from .
Some have come
* RealMedia music and visual (3.9MB) used on Irish television in the 1980s and 90s .
from a land beyond the wave.
Sworn to be free,
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

In valley green, on towering crag,
Our fathers fought before us,
And conquered 'neath the same old flag
That's proudly floating o'er us.
We're children of a fighting race,
That never yet has known disgrace,
And as we march, the foe to face,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

--Chorus--

Sons of the Gael! Men of the Pale!
The long watched day is breaking;
The serried ranks of Inisfail
Shall set the Tyrant quaking.
Our camp fires now are burning low;
See in the east a silv'ry glow,
Out yonder waits the Saxon foe,
So chant a soldier's song.

--Chorus--

== External link ==

*
*
*


] ]

Revision as of 00:50, 28 June 2004

"Amhrán na bhFiann" is the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland . It is also known by the English translation of its title, "A Soldier's Song", as well as "Amhrán Náisiúnta na hÉireann/the National Anthem of Ireland". The lyrics of the song are by Peadar Kearney and the music by both Kearney and Patrick Heeney. It was composed in 1907 and first published in Irish Freedom in 1912.

History

"Amhrán na bhFiann" was relatively unknown until it was sung by rebels in the General Post Office (GPO) during the Easter Rising of 1916, and afterwards in British internment camps. The song became the official state anthem in 1926 when it replaced the unofficial anthem "God Save Ireland".

God Save the King served as the anthem of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until the independent Irish Free State was established in 1922. The continued use of God Save the King by some Irish people caused embarrassment to the new Irish state, and, on one famous occassion, Governor-General James McNeill refused to attend a public function in Trinity College when he discovered that the College intended playing the anthem during his visit.

Even after the adoption of "Amhrán na bhFiann" as the official anthem a minority continued to sing the British anthem, as indeed they continued to pray for the King and Queen in religious ceremonies, right up until the declaration of the Republic of Ireland in 1949.

In recent years, a number of Irish newspapers and columnists have proposed replacing "Amhrán na bhFiann" with a new national anthem, arguing that the current wording is excessively militant and anti-British. Others have argued that the melody is difficult for bands to play.

The difficulty of anthem has often been witnessed at international sporting events, where either the entire song (not just chorus that is the actual anthem) is played (as occurred, for example, at the Los Angeles Olympics) or the right part is played but at the wrong speed, as occurred at the recent Syndey Olympics in 2000.

A new sporting anthem, "Ireland's Call", is now used at international rugby matches, because the Irish rugby team is drawn from the whole island, and is supported by both nationalists and unionists alike, whereas Amhrán na bhFiann is only officially the anthem of the southern Republic of Ireland. However it seems unlikely, in the short term at least, that "Amhrán na bhFiann" will be replaced as the national anthem. The suggestion has also been made that, as occurred in Germany after World War II, the government might change the words of the anthem while keeping the original melody.

The words

The Irish national anthem consists only of the chorus of "Amhrán na bhFiann", and is almost always sung in Irish. The first two lines of the anthem and the last two, played together, form the Irish "Presidential Salute", which is played when the President of Ireland attends official events. Only the part of "Amhrán na bhFiann" used for the anthem is given below. For the full song see: external links.

It should be noted that, in the English version of the chorus, the Irish "bhearna bhaoil" is sung instead of the English translation: "gap of danger". The Irish is roughly pronounced "vahr-na veel", and fits more easily the English rhyming scheme.

Irish version

Sinne Fianna Fáil
A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn,
buion dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Fé mhóid bheith saor.
Sean tír ár sinsir feasta
Ní fhagfar fé'n tiorán ná fé'n tráil
Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil
Le guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléar
Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.

English version

Soldiers are we
whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Some have come
from a land beyond the wave.
Sworn to be free,
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Footnote

  1. Amhrán na bhFiann may be pronounced: "ow-rawn na vian".

External links

Full version

Video and audio files

Category: