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.

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.

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 popular Sea Shanty, What shall we do with a drunken sailor. Boxer Steve Collins used the song as his ring entrance music for all seven of his WBO supermiddleweight title defenses in the mid nineties.

Lyrics

The original versions' lyrics, which are in the public domain, are as follows:

Original Jacobite Version (Chorus) Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile, Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile,[1] Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh. A Shéarlais Óig[2], a mhic Rí Shéamais[3] 'Sé mo mhór-chreach do thriall as Éirinn Gan tuinnte bróig' ort, stoca nó leinidh Ach do chascairt leis na Gallaibh Chorus 'Sé mo léan géar nach bhfeicim Mur mbéinn beo 'na dhiaidh ach seachtain Séarlas Óg is míle gaiscidheach Ag fógairt fáin ar Ghallaibh Chorus Tá Séarlas Óg ag triall thar sáile Béidh siad leisean, Franncaigh is Spáinnigh Óglaigh armtha leis mar gharda 'S bainfidh siad rinnce as éiricigh! Chorus

English translation (Chorus) Oh-ro You're welcome home, Oh-ro You're welcome home, Oh-ro You're welcome home, Now that summer's coming! Young Charles, son of King James It's a great distress – your exile from Ireland Without thread of shoe on you, socks or shirt Overthrown by the foreigners Chorus Alas that I do not see If I were alive afterwards only for a week Young Charles and one thousand warriors Banishing all the foreigners Chorus Young Charles is coming over the sea They will be with him, French and Spanish Armed Volunteers with him as a guard And they'll make the heretics dance! Chorus

Padraig Pearse Version (Chorus) Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile, Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile,[4] Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh. 'Sé do bheatha, a bhean ba léanmhar, Do b' é ár gcreach tú bheith i ngéibheann, Do dhúiche bhreá i seilbh méirleach, Is tú díolta leis na Gallaibh. Chorus Tá Gráinne Mhaol ag teacht thar sáile, Óglaigh armtha léi mar gharda, Gaeil iad féin is ní Gaill[5] ná Spáinnigh, Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaibh. Chorus A bhuí le Rí na bhFeart go bhfeiceam, Mura mbeam beo ina dhiaidh ach seachtain, Gráinne Mhaol agus míle gaiscíoch, Ag fógairt fáin ar Ghallaibh. Chorus

English translation (Chorus) Oh-ro You're welcome home, Oh-ro You're welcome home, Oh-ro You're welcome home... Now that summer's coming! Welcome oh woman who was so afflicted, It was our ruin that you were in bondage, Our fine land in the possession of thieves... And you sold to the foreigners! Chorus Gráinne O'Malley[6] is coming over the sea, Armed warriors along with her as her guard, They are Irishmen, not French nor Spanish... And they will rout the foreigners! Chorus May it please the King of Miracles that we might see, Although we may live for a week once after, Gráinne Mhaol and a thousand warriors... Dispersing the foreigners! Chorus

Notes

1. ^ Some versions have "B'fhearr liom thú ná céad bó bhainne", which translates as "I'd prefer you to a hundred milk cows"
2. ^ Bonnie Prince Charlie, Charles Edward Stuart
3. ^ James, Prince of Wales, James Francis Edward Stuart
4. ^ Some versions have "B'fhearr liom thú ná céad bó bhainne", which translates as "I'd prefer you to a hundred milk cows"
5. ^ Some versions have Frainc, i.e. French, instead of Gaill.
6. ^ Gráinne Mhaol or Gránuaile is an alternate way in Irish to refer to the famous rebel and pirate queen Gráinne Ní Mháille, noted for her resistance against queen Elizabeth I of England, and who remained in popular memory as a figure of Irish independence fighting.

See also

• List of Irish ballads

External links

• Various Song Versions and History