Irish Song Tradition

Ireland has a very strong song ________

Tradition

Traditionally, Irish was a completely ______ tradition

Oral

As a result, different _________ of the same song may appear in different part of the country

Versions

There is a wide variety of different songs in the Irish tradition which may in __________ or Irish

English

Examples of songs in Irish tradition

Ballads, Anglo-Irish songs, Laments and Sean-Nós

Ballad

A song that tells a story which is written in verses of either four or eight lines

Features of ballads

-Often sung in English

-Lyrics often come from political and social life

-Themes of love, politics and rebellion

Well known ballads include

“The Fields of Athenry” and “Foggy Dew”

Ballad groups include

The Wolfe Tones and The Dubliners

Anglo-Irish songs

Songs composed by Irish people in the English language. Many of these songs could be described as ballads

Examples of Anglo-Irish songs

“The Minstrel Boy“ and “The Raglan Road“

Lament

A sad song that is often sung as part of a wake or recalls a local tragedy

Features of Laments

-Often contain religious themes

-May involve “keening“ (wailing lamentations for the dead usually carried out by women)

Example of a Lament

“An Mhaighdean Mhara“ by Altan

Sean Nós

Style of singing that is unaccompanied and sung in the Irish language that has been passed down through generations

Features of Sean Nós

-No dynamics

-Free rhythm

-Ornamentation such as glissando(sliding)

Regional styles of Sean Nós

Munster, Donegal and Connemara

Donegal Sean Nós

Little ornamentation, regular rhythm

Connemara Sean Nós

Lots of ornamentation, very florid

Munster Sean Nós

Wider range, vibrato often used, similar to classical singing

Examples of Sean Nós songs

“Úna Bhán“ and “Anach Cuain“

Singers of Sean Nós include

Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh and Iarla Ó Lionáird