Music: Sean-Nós

Hi guys!

I am a big fan of Celtic music, which started when my grandfather would play some Clannad cd's when we would visit. The main thing that impressed me was the language, Irish, which sounded so beautiful. And that is where my love for all other Celtic stuff also began. So my love for Celtic studies is inevitably connected with music. I know this works the same way for many people, Celtic music is maybe the most widespread aspect of Celtic culture. Folky tunes with fiddles and whistles mainly, but there is a another genre within Celtic music that is less well-known, because it's a lot less catchy. Doesn't mean it isn't awesome.

It's called Sean-Nós, which means 'old way' in Irish, and it's a very peculiar style of singing. (It's also a style of dancing, by the way) Usually it is sung without musical accompaniment, and with highly stylistic melody lines and a lot of ornamentations. This makes it quite hard to listen to if you're not used to it, also because sean-nós songs can last for half an hour. The topics can vary from dramatical love stories to historical events, like rebellions and such (the Irish lóve rebellions and patriottic things, of course.) but sometimes songs can also be quite humourous!

Here are some short examples of it!

This song is called 'Cúnla' and is quite well-known, multiple bands made a 'regular' song out of it, but the original is a sean-nós song. The lyrics translate something like this; 'Who is that tapping the windowpane?' 'It's only me!' says Cúnla. 'O Cúnla dear, don't come any nearer me!' 'Maybe I shouldn't' says Cúnla'. And every verse Cúnla comes nearer the girl, until he tickles her you-know-what..

This song is 'Óró sé do bheatha 'bhaile' and it's a very patriottic song, about the return of Gráinne Mhaol to Ireland (Maybe I'll write a blogpost on her some other time) and with the 'real' Irish they will rout the foreigners. Also a song that is turned into a 'regular' song later, for example by Sinéad O'Connor.

Last but not least, this is an example of a sean-nós song in English! It is sung by the Dubliners, also unaccompanied and with ornamented melodies, but this time you may actually understand it if you don't speak Irish! Again it's a funny song, but I won't spoil the fun, just listen to it ^^




That's it for now! Until next time,
Lian