Amhrán na bhFiann - Irish National Anthem

"Amhrán na bhFiann" ("The Soldiers' Song" in English) is the national anthem of Ireland. The music was composed by Peadar Ó Cearnaigh (Peadar Kearney) and Patrick Heeney, and the original English lyrics were authored (as "A Soldiers' Song") by Kearney in 1907. It is sung in the Irish language translation made by Liam Ó Rinn. Like the tricolor, the popularity of The Soldier's Song dates from the Easter Rising in 1916. After the insurrection, the Volunteers, who were detained in British Detention Camps, used it to voice their defiance to their captors; it was quickly taken up in Ireland to express the same sentiment. In a short time, "The Soldier's Song" took the place of the two other pieces: "God Save Ireland", a Fenian song written about the last words of the Manchester Martyrs, and set to an American march; and Thomas Davis' stirring masterpiece "A Nation Once Again" - both had been used from time to time as an informal national anthem. The Soldier's Song became the national anthem by government decree in July, 1926. The phrase "Bhearna Bhoil," in the Irish language, means "the Gap of Danger," and refers to a battle in the rising of 1798, when John Kelly, the Boy from Killan, led a charge against the Bewley Gates in the seige of New Ross. The carnage at that location earned it the title Bhearna Bhaoil, and it became a symbol of the danger that Ireland's sons were willing to face for her freedom. Even when The Soldier's Song is translated into other languages, the term "Bhearna Baoil" remains in the Irish. The lyrics are those of an Irish rebel song, exhorting all Irish people to participate in the struggle to end the hegemony ("despot" over "slave") of the English ("Saxon foe") in Ireland ("Inisfail"). There are allusions to earlier Irish rebellions, and to support from the United States ("a land beyond the wave"). AS GAEILGE: "Amhrán na bhFiann" Seo dhibh a cháirde duan Óglaigh, Cathréimeach bríomhar ceolmhar, Ár dtinte cnámh go buacach táid, 'S an spéir go mín réaltógach 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 Sinne laochra fáil, atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn, Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chughainn, Faoi mhóid bheith saor Seantír ár sinsear feasta, Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill. Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil, Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar, Seo libh canaig Amhrán na bhFiann Cois bánta réidhe, ar árdaibh sléibhe, Ba bhuachach ár sinsir romhainn, Ag lámhach go tréan fé'n sár-bhrat séin Tá thuas sa ghaoith go seolta Ba dhúchas riamh d'ár gcine cháidh Gan iompáil siar ó imirt áir, 'S ag siúl mar iad i gcoinne námhad Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann Sinne laochra fáil, atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn, Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chughainn, Faoi mhóid bheith saor Seantír ár sinsear feasta, Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill. Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil, Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar, Seo libh canaig Amhrán na bhFiann A bhuíon nách fann d'fhuil Ghaeil is Gall, Sin breacadh lae na saoirse, Ta scéimhle 's scanradh i gcroíthe namhad, Roimh ranna laochra ár dtire. ár dtinte is tréith gan spréach anois, Sin luisne ghlé san spéir anoir, 'S an bíobha i raon na bpiléar agaibh: Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bh Fiann. Sinne laochra fáil, atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn, Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chughainn, Faoi mhóid bheith saor Seantír ár sinsear feasta, Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill. Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil, Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar, Seo libh canaig Amhrán na bhFiann.