A visitor to this website advised that:
- The words are two verses from ‘Duan Chriost”, a poem by Tadhg O'Suilleabhain (O'Sullivan) the Gaelic, oh : 1795 - an 18th century religious poet from the province of Munster in Ireland.
- It was published in “Dánta Dé”, Hymns to God - Ancient and Modern, Words and music collected by Una ní Ógáin, published by Three Candles Dublin, Ireland in 1928
- In this book, it is set to a tune “Ó na daoinibh” (from the people) from Irish folk music collector and performer, Máighréad Ní Annagáin (1875-1952) from “Decies” County Waterford.
Sheet music, and an English-language translation from the Dánta Dé companion book are provided below.
If you have any more information the song, or are able to share the full Irish-language lyrics (not in script), please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.
Downloads
This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).
Examples
Singer with fiddle and harp
Instrumental - piano
Instrumental - harp
Lyrics
The lyrics quoted below are from one church-newsletter, and it's not clear if they are the same as the Dánta Dé version, which is is printed in Irish script, and there may also be differences in dialect.
féach ar mo chás,
is beir mé leat féineach
go Cathair na nGrást’.
Díbir gach dríodar
is cathú as mo lár;
díbir gach smaoineamh
is obair gan aird,
Is dírigh mé ina dhiaidh sin
go Flaitheas na nGrást’.
A Íosa, ó saor mé
le toradh do Pháis’.
Translation from the Dánta Dé companion book
O Jesu, Son of Mary,
O bright King of kings,
(a) Ruler of the human race, and their Love,
O Christ sweet and merciful,
O Light by Whom was formed
The Kingdom of Heaven and things of [this] world in their season ;
banish our blindness, our folly and madness,
For ever from out of our hearts, O Star of grace;
And remember, Beloved,
In Thy most holy sacrifice at the Cross
That Thou did'st make us free by Thy Passion.
My horror, this exhausting
(b) conflict, this degrading
Deception that put in bondage Adam's race;
I have broken Thy law.
O Holy Spirit, I deserved
All pains, and devouring fires to grieve me.(c)
O loved King Who broughtest
Moses with Thee, and his hosts,
Through the hungry heart of the mighty flood undrowned ;
Therefore(d), O Beloved,
Protect Thou the poor Gaels,
And lovingly, shelteringly, save us by Thy death.
Translation notes
(a) Literally : Emperor.
(b) Literally : Storm.
(c) MS. All fires of the devouring cauldron.
(d) " In like manner," is understood.
A Íosa Mhic Mhuire
ReplyDeleteFrom “Dánta Dé”, Hymns to God - Ancient and Modern, Words and music collected by Una ní Ógáin. Published Three Candles Dublin, 1928
Two verses from the poem ‘Duan Chriost” by Tadhg O'Suilleabhain
Tune “Ó na daoinibh” (from the people) from Maighread ní Annagain*, native of “Decies” Co. Waterford.
Tadhg O'Suilleabhain (O'Sullivan) the Gaelic, oh : 1795. He was the chief 18th Century religious Poet of Munster ; poor but educated, of great fervour, devotion, and humility. He spent most of his life in Co. Waterford and East Cork, and died, according to his own prayer, "A holy death, on a holy day, in a holy place," on his knees in Waterford Cathedral. His sacred songs are. still very popular in Irish-speaking Munster, (in 1928) and are usually sung to fine old traditional airs.
* Máighréad Ní Annagáin (2 May 1875 – 27 January 1952) was an Irish folk music collector and performer.
Thanks Ger, that's incredibly helpful, and I've revised this page based on the information you've provided.
ReplyDeleteI don't speak or read Irish, so struggle with these. And looking for a matching name in Irish script is just beyond me, for the moment at least.