Origins: Tá 'na lá - Seán Ó Sé

Subject: Origins: Tá 'na lá - Seán Ó Sé
From: darkriver
Date: 21 Mar 18 - 04:47 PM

Hello, Mudcatters. I have recently run across an Irish song, "Tá 'na lá", sung by Seán Ó Sé. I did a search on YouTube and Google under that title and found many hits, but they were all (save one) for a different song with that title. I was wondering if any of you could tell me more about it.
The version I'm asking about is here:
Ta 'na la
Thanks.

doug

Subject: RE: Origins: Tá 'na lá - Seán Ó Sé
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 21 Mar 18 - 05:12 PM

I can think of 2 versions of the song in your link, but with a slightly different title.
It was recorded on an LP record - first track - by Cathal McConnell and Robin Morton on "An Irish Jubilee" as "Nil Se ‘na La". [ Late 60s / early 70s ? ] I can't recall if it was sung or just played as an instrumental. I would need to hunt through some cassette tapes, and that could take a while.
It was also recorded more recently by Brendan Begley, possibly, coincidentally, on a "Boys Of The Lough" recording, but maybe on one of his solo CDs.
There would most likely be information about the song on the sleeve notes, but I can't help more beyond that at the moment.

Subject: RE: Origins: Tá 'na lá - Seán Ó Sé
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 21 Mar 18 - 05:16 PM

OK - took all of 2 minutes. I'm fairly sure it's on Brendan Begley's CD "Oíche Go Maidean" - track #6, listed as "There's The Day". Afraid I don't have that CD any more - hope someone else can help.
Best of luck, Kenny

Subject: RE: Origins: Tá 'na lá - Seán Ó Sé
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 21 Mar 18 - 05:33 PM

'Nil Se ‘na La' is a wellknown song but not the one O'Sé sings, there's also Tá se na Lá' written by Eithne ní Uallachain, which she described as a play on the title of the older song and it is a lovely catchy optimistic song too. But not the one, obviously, O'Sé sings there.

I saw a documentary on O'Sé over the christmas on TG4, he talked about his song (and his life), including the ones he did with O'Riada possibly about this one too but I can't be sure.

Subject: RE: Origins: Tá 'na lá - Seán Ó Sé
From: darkriver
Date: 21 Mar 18 - 06:43 PM

Kenny & Peter, thank you for the replies.
Yes, the 'other version' I mentioned is the one by Eithe ni Uallachain.
I'll look for Brendan Begley's CD.

Thanks again.

doug

Subject: RE: Origins: Tá 'na lá - Seán Ó Sé
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 22 Mar 18 - 05:45 AM

Always happy to be corrected, thanks Peter. Not "having" the Gaelic, I was going on the melody, which is the same for both songs. I'm therefore uncertain about which version Begley sings - 50/50 either way, but I think it might be "Nil Se 'na La".

Subject: RE: Origins: Tá 'na lá - Seán Ó Sé
From: GUEST,allan
Date: 23 Mar 18 - 01:33 AM

check out the Wolfetones version on their Belt of the Celts album.

Allan