Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?

Subject: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: GUEST,Ian HP
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 12:14 PM

A friend has introduced me to a beautiful tune called Ban Chnoic Eireann O, which I intend to arrange and learn. Neither of us know what the title means. Are there any words or is it purely an air? Any Irish speakers out there?

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 12:28 PM

The White Hills of Ireland, O?

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: Big Tim
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 01:11 PM

I'm not an Irish speaker but I think it's more likely to be "The Beautiful Hills of Ireland" (or "The Lovely Irish Hills") with "ban" literally meaning "white" but figuratively "fair" in the sense of beautiful, attractive, like "fair maiden",

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: Zhenya
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 01:52 PM

This was recorded as a song on an album by Skara Brae. The CD has the Irish lyrics and an English translation. I'm not home now where the CD is, but I believe it was translated as 'The Fair Hills of Ireland." (See messge from Big Tim above.) I did a quick search and found a link here with some Irish lyrics: http://www.fainne.org/danlann/ban.html. (I don't know if these are the same lyrics from the CD.) If you can't locate the translation, I could post the lyrics on another day.

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: Zhenya
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 02:21 PM

Here's another link, with Irish lyrics and an English translation. (I can't figure out how to highlight this so people can click on it for the link. I checked the mudcat instructions but I'm doing something wrong here...) Any suggestions?

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/8998/banchnoic_eireann.html

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: MMario
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 02:31 PM

another link

Zhenya - use the "view page source" option on your browser to compare you post and mine. That will show you what you need to type in order to make a "blickie" [or Blue clickie thing" or "Hypertext link"]

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: Zhenya
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 04:08 PM

To MMario, Thanks. I'll try this next time I want to do a hyperlink. Zhenya

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 06:57 PM

The title means "The Fair Hills of Holy Ireland." the last word "Ó" is an old poetic form not used nowadays in everyday speehb, but still found in prayers etc.
Properly spelt:- "Óighe." For those of a linguistic bent, the form is the Genitive Singular Feminine agreeing with "Éireann."
Annraoi.

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: Callie
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 07:17 PM

Our choir sings the song in 4 parts. You can read about the song on our website:

www.geocities.com/solidaritychoir

Let me know if you´re interested in the arrangement.

We recently sang the song in Ireland, which was a special privelege for us!

cheers Callie

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: Big Tim
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 01:53 PM

Thanks Annraoi, very interesting.

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 05:16 AM

is this song found elsewhere on Mudcat?
anyone know where I could find the tune on line (sheet music format preferably)

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 20 May 17 - 03:00 PM

over 10 years since the guest posted the previous question
I know the sheet music is included in Dónal O'Sullivan / O Súilleabháín's book Songs of the Irish" I don't know re finding that on line however.

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 20 May 17 - 03:09 PM

Fair Hills of Ireland (pdf)

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O = ?
From: leeneia
Date: 21 May 17 - 12:30 AM

The music can be found at abcnotation.com   Search for this:

Fair Hills of Eire O

and you will be led to several formats for the tune.

Happy playing!

Subject: RE: Ban Chnoic Eireann O
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 21 May 17 - 10:23 AM

lyrics in Irish http://waterfordireland.tripod.com/ban_chnoic_%E9ireann_%F3.htm

Beir beannacht óm chroí go tír na hEireann,
bán chnoic Éireann Ó;
chun a maireann do shíolradh Ír is Éibhir
ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó;
an áit úd 'narbh aoibhinn binn-ghuth éan
mar shámhchruit chaoin ag caoineadh Gael-
'se mo chás a bheith míle míle i gcéin
ó bhán chnoic Éireann Ó.

Bíonn barra bog slím ar chaoin-chnoic Éireann-
bán chnoic Éireann Ó;
's is fearra ná 'n tír seo díth gach sléibhe ann,
bán chnoic Éireann Ó;
dob árd a coillte 's ba dhíreach réidh,
's a mbláth mar aol ar mhaoilinn géag -
tá grá agem chroí im intinn féin
do bhán chnoic Éireann Ó.

Tá gasra líonmhar i dtír na hÉireann,
bán chnoic Éireann Ó;
is fearachoin ghroí na cloífeadh céadta
ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó;
m'atuirse croí is mo cuimhne scéal,
iad a Galla-phoic síos fá ghreim, mo léan!
's a mbailte dá roinn fá chíos go daor,
ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó.

Is fairsing 's is mór iad cruacha na hÉireann,
bán chnoic Éireann Ó;
a cuid meala 'gus uachtair ag gluaiseacht 'na slaoda
ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó;
rachaidh mé ar cuairt nó is luath mo shaol
don talamh bheag shuairc sin is dual do Ghaeil
's go mb'fhearra liom ná duais dá uaisleacht é
bheith ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó.

Scaipeann an drúcht ar gheamhar agus féar ann,
ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó;
is tagaid sin úlla cumhra ar ghéag' ann,
ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó;
biolar agus samhadh i ngleanntaibh ceo
's na srotha sa tSamhradh ag labhairt ar neoin
is uisce na Siúire ag brúcht 'na shló
ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó

Is oscailte fáilteach an áit sin Éire,
bán chnoic Éireann Ó;
agus toradh na sláinte i mbarr na Déise
i mbán chnoic Éireann Ó
ba bhinne na méara ar théadaibh ceoil
seinnim agus géimneach a laogh 's a mbó,
agus taithneamh na gréine orthu, aosta 's óg,
ar bhán chnoic Éireann Ó.