Oró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile

"Oró, Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile" (IPAga|ˈɔɾˠoː ʃeː d̪ˠə ˈvʲahə ˈwalʲə) is a traditional song, that came to be known as an Irish rebel song in the early 20th century.

History

The song in its original form dates back to the reign of Elizabeth I of England, and the Jacobite rising.

In the early 20th century it received new verses by the nationalist poet Patrick 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 Patrick Pearse in particular. This version is dedicated to the pirate or "Great Sea Warrior" Gráinne Ní Mháille. She was a formidable power on the west coast of Ireland in the late 1500s.

Performances and inspiration

The song has been sung widely, including by such ballad groups such as
The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem,
The Dubliners,
The Cassidys, Noel McLoughlin, The McPeake Familiy, Thomas Loefke & Norland Wind, and the Wolfe Tones.Oró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile was also sung by sean nos singer Darach O'Cathain, Dónall Ó Dúil (on the album Faoin bhFód) and by Nioclas Toibin.The song has received more modern treatments from The Twilight Lords, Cruachan and Sinéad O'Connor. There is also a classical orchestral version by the Irish Tenors.Oró 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). It is also a testimony to how inspiring many people find the tune and lyrics.

Lyrics

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

Original Jacobite Version

::(Chorus):Oró, sé do bheatha abhaile,:Oró, sé do bheatha abhaile,:Oró, sé do bheatha abhaile:Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh.

:A Shéarlais Óig [Bonnie Prince Charlie, Charles Edward Stuart] , a mhic Rí Shéamais [James, Prince of Wales, James Francis Edward Stuart] :'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 traill 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 us, French and Spanish:Armed Volunteers with him as a guard:And they'll make the heretics dance!

::Chorus

Patrick Pearse Version

::(Chorus):Oró, sé do bheatha abhaile,:Oró, sé do bheatha abhaile, [Some versions have "B'fhearr liom thú nó céad bó bhainne", which translates as "I'd prefer you to a hundred milk cows"] :Oró, sé do bheatha abhaile: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 go duill ar sáile,:óglaigh armtha léi mar gharda,:Gaeil iad féin is ní Gaill [Some versions have "Frainc", i.e. French, instead of "Gaill".] 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

:Grainne Mhaol [Gráinne Mhaol or Gránuaile is an alternate way in Irish to refer to the famous rebel and pirate queen Grace O'Malley, noted for her resistance against queen Elizabeth I of England, and who remained in popular memory as a figure of Irish independence fighting.] is coming over the sea,:Armed warriors along with her as her guard,:They are Irishmen, not foreigners nor Spanish...:And they will rout the foreigners!

::Chorus

:May it please the God of Miracles that we may see,:Although we only live a week after it,:Grainne Mhaol and a thousand warriors...:Dispersing the foreigners!::Chorus

Notes

ee also

*List of Irish ballads

External links

* [http://chrsouchon.free.fr/orosedo.htm Various Song Versions and History]