This is Sinead O’Connor performing Oro Se Do Bheatha Abhaile in Gaelic. It is a woman warriors song, a women’s call to arms. I have listened to this song thousands of times. For months at a time, I’ve listened to it every day.
This is what Sinead says of this song:
This song, for me, celebrates the return of any woman to her power, having lost it to invading forces. It is an honouring of the female warrior spirit and of the right of women to be true to themselves despite what the world dictates they ’should’ be. A song celebrating the preciousness of female ferocity, strength and fire. It shows that a suppressed spirit only creates loss and depression and that only by being one’s true self can one find joy… it is a war song in honour of Grace O’Malley otherwise known as Gráinne Mhaol, a warrior noblewoman of Ireland who lived at the time of Elizabeth I, and whose ships were a formidable force on the Irish west coast.
The lyrics are posted somewhere to the boards in both Gaelic and English, but you know, I believe women listening to this song will understand it, without the English lyrics.
Amazon women, rise!
Heart
That’s fabulous. I’ve listened to this song and enjoyed it, but had no idea about the story behind it. Thanks for sharing this!
“the preciousness of female ferocity, strength and fire”
Oh yes.
Thank you for posting that.
Awesome song! I hadn’t heard that before.
Peace,
~Chani
I hadn’t heard it either. I have loved Sinead since I first discovered her after my divorce and raised my daughter on her music. I’ll never forget performing “Red Football” with my seven year old and of course I intend to raise another daughter on the same music, now, only with a richer understanding of what it means and an appreciation for her Irish heritage.
Granuaille (Grace O’Malley) is also a very familiar character to us. About ten years ago, we had a cassette tape of an operatic story of her life, which my and the kids were extremely fond of, but I have been unable to find it on CD or…um…alternatives to purchasing CDs.
This is another strong, Irish woman I want my littlest daughter to grow up knowing well.
Translation:
Óró! You are welcome home!
Óró! You are welcome home!
Óró! You are welcome home!
Now that summer is coming
Welcome Oh woman who was so afflicted,
It was our ruin that you were in bondage,
Our fine land in the possesion of theives,
And sold to the foreigners
Grainne Mhaol is coming over the sea,
Armed warriors along with her as guard,
They are Irishmen, not English or Spanish,
And they will rout the foreigners
May it please the God of Miracles that we may see,
Although we only live a week after it,
Grainne Mhaol and a thousand warriors,
Dispersing the foreigners