The Irish National Anthem

The Irish National Anthem - Below are the words, music and song of this uplifting patriotic anthem

Written by Bulmer Hobson in 1912

Translated to Irish by Liam Ó Rinn in 1923

Music composed by Peadar Kearney & Patrick Heeney in 1907

Adopted as the Irish National Anthem in 1926

The National Anthem of Ireland was originally written in English but was translated into Irish by Liam Ó Rinn. It is normally sang in the Irish Language today.

Irish Version

Amhrán na bhFiann

Sinne Fianna Fáil
Atá fé gheall ag Éirinn

Buíon dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn

Fé mhóid bheith saor
Seantír ár sinsear feasta

Ní fhágfar fén tíorán ná fén tráill
Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil

Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil
Le gunnascréach, fé lámhach na bpiléar

Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann







English Version

A Soldier's Song

Soldiers are we
Whose lives are pledged to Ireland

Some have come
From a land beyond the wave

Sworn to be free
No more our ancient sire land

Shall shelter the despot or the slave
Tonight we man the bearna baol - (Gap of Danger)

In Erin’s cause, come woe or weal (well)
’Mid cannon’s roar and rifles’ peal

We’ll chant a soldier’s song



How it sounds in English



The National Anthem of Ireland consists of just the chorus of the original song. There are 3 verses in the original.

The original song was an Irish rebel song, coaxing all Irish men to participate in the struggle to end the hegemony - despot over slave - of the English - Saxon foe

The song alludes to earlier rebellions and to the support from other lands - beyond the wave..

Following are the complete lyrics.

Amhrán na bhFiann

Sinne Fianna Fáil...

Cois bánta réidhe, ar ardaibh sléibhe
Ba bhuadhach ár sinsir romhainn
Ag lámhach go tréan fén sárbhrat séin
’Tá thuas sa ghaoth go seolta
Ba dhúchas riamh dár gcine cháidh
Gan iompáil siar ó imirt áir
’S ag siúl mar iad i gcoinne námhad
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann

Sinne Fianna Fáil...

A bhuíon nach fann d’fhuil Ghaeil is Gall
Sin breacadh lae na saoirse
Tá sceimhle ’s scanradh i gcroíthe námhad
Roimh ranna laochra ár dtíre
Ár dtinte is tréith gan spréach anois
Sin luisne ghlé sa spéir anoir
’S an bíobha i raon na bpiléar agaibh
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann

Sinne Fianna Fáil...

The Soldier's Song

Soldiers are we...

In valley green, on towering crag
Our fathers fought before us
And conquered ’neath the same old flag
That’s proudly floating o’er us
We’re children of a fighting race
That never yet has known disgrace
And as we march, the foe to face
We’ll chant a soldier’s song

Soldiers are we...

Sons of the Gael! Men of the Pale!
The long-watched day is breaking
The serried ranks of Inisfail
Shall set the tyrant quaking
Our camp fires now are burning low
See in the east a silv’ry glow
Out yonder waits the Saxon foe
So chant a soldier’s song

Soldiers are we...




From RTE 1 Closedown of the 70s and 80s - Ah this brings back memories..staying up too late

In recent times many, including Irish newspapers and columnists, have suggested replacing Amhrán na bhFiann with a new Irish National Anthem. With something a little less militant and anti-British.

Supporters of the present day Ireland National Anthem argue that it is no more militant that some other National Anthems, including Britain's, France's and even the USA's.

I don't think we'll be seeing a new Irish National Anthem for quite some time.

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