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Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba

17 Dec 01 - 09:06 PM (#612047)
Subject: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: Áine

'Bí Meidhreach, a Bhanba' by Prionsias Ó Ceallaigh -- does anyone know this song? I saw it on a list of songs performed by the Dublin Choir. Any info would be appreciated.

Le meas is mise Áine


18 Dec 01 - 06:05 PM (#612589)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: Sorcha

Aine, my first thought when I saw the title, was "Let's ask Aine"---grin. What is the translation? That might help a little bit.


19 Dec 01 - 03:57 PM (#613225)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: Áine

Hi Sorcha,

My best guess is 'Be Merry, Ireland' -- 'Banba' being an ancient name for Ireland.

-- Áine


20 Dec 01 - 10:04 AM (#613633)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: Áine

refresh


20 Dec 01 - 10:10 AM (#613640)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

It's listed in "Ceol ár Sinsear" by An t-ath Breathnach - who published several books of songs in the first half of the last century. I don't think I have the book but may be able to get a look at a copy over the holiday period if nobody turns up the words.

Regards

p.s.Ó Ceallaigh published a setting in four parts - not sure if he composed the tune.


21 Dec 01 - 11:15 AM (#614211)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: Áine

A Mhairtin,

Go raibh maith agat, a chara. Do you know if the Dublin Choir has a recording available with this song on it?

Nollaig shona dhuit, Áine


22 Dec 01 - 04:50 AM (#614651)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: GUEST,Philippa

I knew someone named Prionsias O Ceallaigh who spoke Irish and was involved in a choir, but I never heard of him composing. I could ask other people who knew him. How early in the last century, Martin?


22 Dec 01 - 05:51 AM (#614669)
Subject: Lyr Add: BI MEADHRACH FEASDA, a BHANBA
From: GUEST,Donal

BI MEADHRACH FEASDA, a BHANBA
Bi meadh-rach feas-da, a Bhan-a-ba'n aoil-chnis, do
A' caoi le fad-a, a Bhan-a-ba, taoi-se, de
Ta'n la ag eas-gairtar mhaith-ibh na tir-e, 'Sbeidh
Bi'n Ghaedhil-ge teang-a cheart flath-a 'gus riogh-na
?'Si'n Ghaedhil-ge teang-a na mull-ach 's na min-chnoc, na

Chlann ce chaill-ead-ar teang-a a sin-sear;
Bhar gur shlad-ad-ar Gall-a do mhin-chnuic; ach
Feis-ean' ac-u'n gach cath-air id riogh-acht-sa
Tuatha De Dan-ann is clann-a maith mi-leadh; an
Rath, na bhfear-ann, na gcar-n, gcoill-te, na

Ta le seal-ad d'a cas adh a-ris ort, ag
'se do mharbh a's do lag-aig do chroidhe 'nnat do
Ceol binn le rann-aibh da spreag-adh ar phiop-a 's ar
Te nar thaith-ig i, geall-aim om chroidhe dhuit, ar
mbeann, na n-abhan ag-us ealt-ain na craoibh-e, 's ni

Conn-radh ac-fuinn-each neart-mhar na gaoidhil-ge,
Chlann ag labh-airt i dteang-ain do naimh-de
Chlair-seach leath-an 'bhi seal-ad ad righ-bhrog.
Stair na sean-a so labh-airt nar chuibhe dho
Thuig-feadh sas-an-ach dad-amh d'a mbinn ghuth

Curfa:
Rai-thi-neach a bhean bheag, a bhean bheag, a bhean bheag,
Rai-thi-neach a bhean bheag, teang-a na gaoidhil-ge,
Rai-thi-neach a bhean bheag, a bhean bheag, a bhean bheag,
Rai-thi-neach a bhean bheag, cas-fi-mid a-ris i.

Áine, this is a transcription from the old Gaelic of Ceol ar Sinsear. Please excuse any errors , since the text was very difficult to read. -- Donal


22 Dec 01 - 07:08 AM (#614684)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Thank you, Donal


22 Dec 01 - 08:56 AM (#614707)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: Áine

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Dhonal!

Le meas, Áine


05 Jan 02 - 11:59 AM (#621507)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: Áine

Just refreshing this thread to ask if anyone knows of a recording of this song that I could find.

Buíochas, Áine


05 Jan 02 - 07:10 PM (#621696)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: GUEST,Mise

I certainly recognise the chorus. Is this the same as Raitineach a bhean bheag which was recorded either by the Chieftains or by Ceoltóirí Chulainn with Seán Ó Sé (Ó Riada sa Gaiety)


06 Jan 02 - 06:06 AM (#622072)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: Noreen

If it is the same song, as Mise says (the chorus appears the same) it was recorded by Ceoltoiri Laighean (I think that is the correct spelling) in the 70s, perhaps- group included Tomas O Cannain and other luminaries.

There has been another thread in the last year mentioning that song- might be hard to find with various spellings, though.

Noreen


06 Jan 02 - 10:12 AM (#622124)
Subject: Lyr Add: RAITHNEACH A BHEAN BHEAG
From: Áine

I found this thread, where Big Mick gave us the lyrics to Raithneach a Bhean Bheag:

RAITHNEACH A BHEAN BHEAG

Do chuireas mo ghearrchaile go Barra n hAoine
Ag iarraidh staimpí nó cácaí mílse,
Nuair a tháinig sí abhaile ní bhlaisfeadh fear an tí é,
Taithineach a bhean bheag déanfaimid arís é.
Raithineach a bhean bheag, a bhean bheag, a bhean bheag,
Raithineach a bhean bheag, staimpí agus im air,
Raithineach a bhean bheag, a bhean bheag, a bhean bheag,
Raithineach a bhean bheag is déanfaimid an císte

Tá tigh mór fairsing i mBarra na hAoine;
Bíonn bean acu á ghlanadh is bean eile acu á scríobadh,
Bean eile acu á fháscadh os cionn corcáin ar a dícheall
Is seanbhean ar a corraghiob á leathadh ar an ngríosaigh.

Nuair a ghluaiseann Máire, Siún agus Síle,
Nóra agus Cáit is sásta a bhíd siad,
An juga ar an gclár is a cháirt dá líonadh,
Is mo cheol go brách sibh, a mhná cois Aoine.
Raithineach srl.

The chorus is definitely the same, although the verses are quite different from Bí Meidhreach, a Bhanba. Is there anyone who's heard both songs who could tell us how they compare?

Le meas, Áine


06 Jan 02 - 05:38 PM (#622325)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

Philippa

Breathnach's books (both Irish and English) were published in the first half of the 20 C. I'm away from library at the moment and can't check dates.

Regards


28 Nov 03 - 07:48 AM (#1062482)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bi Meidhreach, a Bhanba
From: GUEST,Philippa

Sheet music for this song is published by An Gúm in Dublin
To order, see www.cuplafocal.ie or www.litriocht.com ; these outfits are stockists for An Gúm.

Prionsias Ó Ceallaigh (1909-76) worked as an inspector for the Irish Dept of Education and was founder of a young people's choir in Dublin, "Cantairí Óga Áth Cliath". After his death, the Dept. of Education published a collection of his choral arrangements under the title Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh