A Íosa
Extremely old, sean-nós influenced, responsorial psalm
Lyrics:
Freagra:
A Íosa, a Íosa, Coimead na caoirigh,
ar na gleannta míne, ‘s ar na móinéar chaoine.
Véarsa 1:
An bhfanfaidh sibh liom, deir an Tiarna linn?
Scaoiligí bhúr gcrois uaibh, suaimhneas le mo thaobh.
Véarsa 2:
Ní tinneas chun báis, ach tinneas chun sláinte,
a bheith tinn le grá dhuit, a Rí na Páirte.
Trans.:
Response:
Jesus, Jesus, guard Thy sheep,
in gentle valleys, meadows mild.
Verse 1:
The Lord says: will you stay with me?
Leave your crosses from you, there is peace by my side.
Verse 2:
Not sick to death but sick to life,
sick with Thy love, O cherished King.
Ag Críost an Síol
Composed
by Seán Ó Riada, pioneer of the Irish traditional music revival in the
1960s. When it comes to offertory music, I think this is the original
and best!
Lyrics:
Ag Críost an síol,
ag Críost an fómhar,
in iothlann Dé go dtugtar sinn
Ag Críost an mhuir,
ag Críost an t-iasc,
i líontaibh Dé go gcastar sinn.
Ó fhás go haois
is ó aois go bás
do dhá láimh, a Chríost, anall tharainn.
Ó bhás go críoch
nach críoch ach athfás,
i bParthas na ngrás go rabhaimid.
Trans:
To Christ the seed,
to Christ the crop,
in the barn of Christ may we be brought,
To Christ the sea,
to Christ the fish,
in the nets of Christ may we be caught.
From growth to age,
from age to death
Thy two arms here, O Christ, about us.
From death to end
not end but growth,
in the blessed Paradise may we be.
An Céad Mháirt Den Fhomhair
arr. Kathleen Loughnane. A slow air from Co. Donegal.
Ár nAthair
Another Seán Ó Riada composition, this time a setting of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.
Atholl Highlanders
A really sprightly Scottish tune, brilliant for the recessional.
Brenda Stubbert’s
A great tune from the Cape Breton tradition in Canada, very suitable for a trad medley at the Signing of the Register.
Brendan Tonra’s
A
jig composed by the well-known flute player Brendan Tonra, originally
from Mayo but now based in Chicago. Suitable for a trad medley.
Breton Waltz
An
elegant waltz, this tune is from Brittany, but I’ve lost the music for
it so don’t know who composed it. It’s very nice for the lighting of
the Single Candle, and subsequently the lighting of the Unity Candle.
Brian Boru’s March
One of the oldest pieces of Irish music. A march, it's an interesting option for the bridal processional.
Deus Meus
This
bilingual hymn (latin and Irish) was composed 500 years ago in County
Donegal by a monk- Maol Iosa O'Brolchain - who was Abbot of Iona and
Senior Hiberniae; that is Head Abbot of all the Columban foundations in
Ireland and Scotland.
Lyrics:
Deus meus adiuva me
Tabhair dom do shearc a mhic dhil de
Tabhair dom do shearc a mhic dhil de
Deus meus adiuva me
Domine da, quod peto a te
Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian gheal ghlé
Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian gheal ghlé
Tuum amorem sicut vis
Domine, domine, exaudi me
M'anam bheith lan ded’ ghra a dhe
M'anam bheith lan ded ‘ghra a dhe
Domine, domine, exaudi me.
Trans:
My God come to my aid
Give me your love, son of my God
Give me your love, son of my God
My God come to my aid
Lord, give what I ask of you
Give, give intensely, clear bright sun
Give, give intensely, clear bright sun
Lord, give what I ask of you
My God hear me
My soul is full of love, oh God
My soul is full of love, oh God
My God hear me
Dónal Óg
One of the ‘Amhrán Mór’, the most popular sean-nós songs. This version is from Connemara.
Fanny Power
By
Turlough O’Carolan, Ireland’s most well-known (and my fave) composer.
He was a harper who lived in the 1700s and was influenced by the art
music tradition of the harpers, classical music from the continent, and
Irish folk music. This tune was written in honour of Fanny (Frances)
Power, an heiress from Coorheen, Loughrea, Co. Galway. It was probably
composed just before her wedding in 1732 because in the second verse,
Carolan expresses hope he will live to dance at her wedding. This piece
is beautiful for just about any part of the liturgy.
Hills of Coor
A
hornpipe composed by Junior Crehan, this stately piece is beautiful for
the offertory, a reflection or the signing of the register.
Inis Oírr
Composed
by Thomas Walsh in honour of the smallest Aran island, this reflective
waltz-time piece is great for lighting of the candles or offertory.
Kitty’s Wedding
A lively traditional Irish hornpipe.
Lady Dillon
Turlough O'Carolan, arr. K. Loughnane.
This is quite a complex piece so fits well near the end of the Communion.
Liam Ó Raghallaigh
A sean-nós air.
Marcshlua Uí Néill
Trad. arr. M. Ní Chathasaigh
Another
march, this is good for the bridal procession or offertory. Sports-mad
grooms like it because it used to be the theme for 'Match of the Day'!
Mr. O’Connor
Turlough O'Carolan, arr. K. Loughnane
Another complex Carolan piece, suitable for end of Communion.
Na Géanna Fiáine
Trad., arr. K. Loughnane
A beautiful slow air about the Wild Geese' flight from Limerick.
Na Síoga
Arr. A. McCrann
A graceful little hornpipe.
Planxty Joe Burke
Newly-composed by Charlie Lennon, this hornpipe is a really elegant piece. Good for just about any part of the liturgy.
Planxty Sudley
Turlough O'Carolan, arr. M. Ní Chathasaigh
This is a wedding march written by Carolan for his daughter. It's beautiful for the bridal procession.
Little Prelude In F Major
J.S. Bach BWV927
"The Music of Bonny and Read" Moonfish Theatre Company 2007
This Prelude is quite lively and short.
Rune’s Tune
Úna Ní Fhlannagáin
I
wrote this in honour of a wonderful woman called Rune Mussett-Sharp,
who mothered me in the U.S. for a summer. Because of the maternal
connotations of its composition, I like to play it as the mothers
of the bride and groom are bringing up the bread and wine.
Seinn Alleliú
A sweet little 'Alleluia'.
She Moved Through The Fair
One of the most famous Irish traditional songs. Suitable for the bridal procession or communion.
Shalom Síocháin
Deirdre Ní Chinnéide
Written
by Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, this is cute and catchy but can be repeated
with improvisation ad infinitum, so is a great one for the 'Sign of
Peace'.
Soggy’s Slipjig
Seán Óg Graham
Composed
by a young box player, this has an enchanting, otherworldly feel when
played in the upper register of the harp. I think it's a nice option
for the lighting of the single candle.
Song of the Chanter
Trad. arr.
This
is stolen from the repertoire of the uilleann pipes. It's quite
chant-like...good for an atmospheric start to the ceremony.
Sonny’s Mazurka
An upbeat piece of music, lovely for the communion / signing of register.
Spóirt
Peadar Ó Riada
Suitable for a trad medley.
The Annen Polka
Comp. Strauss arr. K. Loughnane
This waltz is a lively choice for a bridal procession, or equally good as a recessional.
The Funky Monkey
Comp. Úna Ní Fhlannagáin
A fun piece with loads of syncopation; good for Signing of the Register to lighten the mood!
The Handsome Young Maidens
Comp. Charlie Lennon
A
bright jig in A, really good for the Recessional (or for a pre-bridal
procession as the handsome young bridesmaids are coming in).
The Munster Cloak
Comp. Planxty
A nice balance of upbeat and elegant, suitable for any point in the ceremony.
The Twelve Bens
Comp. Maurice Lennon
Great as a recessional, or in its more staid form, as a processional.
Trumpet Voluntary
Comp. Jeremiah C. Clarke
One of the pieces traditionally played for the bridal procession.
Variations on a Theme by Mozart
Comp. unknown
This classical piece is great for the bridal procession or Signing of the Register.
NB this was the last piece of the recording session, I was tired, so it’s the dodgiest recording up here!