Teachable Moment: Brian Boru in the Irish (Brian Bóramha in Gaeilge)

Brian Boru Harp

Brian Boru united Ireland. Quite a rare feat! Around a thousand years ago, he  drove out the Vikings. The language of this song is the ancient Irish tongue still spoken and learned in Irish schools: Gaelic. The Irish also created their own written language about the third century, which is an unusual accomplishment in the history of the world. The British worked overtime to forbid the speaking of Irish. It obviously didn't work

 The Irish Language Today

 http://www.askaboutireland.ie/learning-zone/secondary-students/irish/an-cultur-gaelach/translation-irish-languag/the-irish-language-today/

This music is from Alan Stivel, who is a Breton from France.

Alan Stivell - Brian Boru 

Alan Stivel and his harp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SI0-q4K39A

Here is the translation, which is from the Irish as well as Breton.

http://lyricstranslate.com/en/brian-boru-brian-boru.html

The following information about the six Celtic nations is from Wikipedia 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_nations: 
The six territories recognized as Celtic nations are Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow), Ireland (Éire), the Isle of Man (Mannin), Scotland (Alba), and Wales (Cymru). Each of these regions has a Celtic language that is either still spoken or was spoken into modern times. In addition, areas of north-western Spain and Portugal, particularly Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias and Minho, Douro, Tras-os-Montes (Northern Portugal) are oftentimes identified as Celtic, due to the unique culture of the region. Unlike the others, however, no Celtic language has been spoken there in modern times. Before the expansions of the Roman Republic and Germanic tribes, a significant part of Europe was Celtic.

Here is a comparison of English and Irish, using the Lord's Prayer. Irish is how St. Patrick would have spoken it (if he wasn't using Latin.)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Ár nAthair atá ar neamh, hallowed a bheith thy ainm. Dtaga do ríocht, beidh agad a dhéanamh ar an talamh mar a dhéantar ar neamh, tabhair dúinn inniu ár n-arán laethúil, agus maith dúinn ár bhfiacha, mar a mhaithimidne siúd a bhféichiúna dúinn. Ná lig sinn i gcathú, ach saor sinn ó olc. Amen.

Here is the English translation of Alan Stivel's song, and from the illustrations, it appears Brain Boru was a ginger.

Brian Boru Lyrics + Translation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC_v0qt_Vxo

Brian Boru

Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland

Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin

Family unity, tribal unity

Unity in the world of the Celts

From so much battle to so much peace

From a world of divine blessings, love

From so much battle to so much peace

From a world of divine blessings, love

They said that this was a (funeral) procession

That people would be solemn

But we were not sorrowful

Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland

Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin

Family unity, tribal unity

Unity in the world of the Celts

Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland

Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin

Family unity, tribal unity

Unity in the world of the Celts

From so much battle to so much peace

From a world of divine blessings, love

From so much battle to so much peace

From a world of divine blessings, love

We are like the weather

Especially the sun

And we chose a soft place by the river