![]() ![]() The outcome is not definitive, and is generally seen as a pyrrhic victory for Brian. The Battle of Clontarf was fought in 1014 AD between Irish King Brian Boru and other Irish kingdoms allied with Vikings. She is said to carry a beautiful golden harp, who's music spells impending death on anyone who hears it. The third stanza adds Christian imagery to what is otherwise a lullaby based in Pagan religious mythology and historical references.Īoibheall (or Eeval) is a fairy woman who guards the grey rock named Graglea. The first two stanzas include many of these from Irish history. These include kings, fairies, and other folk creatures such as the Green Man. Many mythological characters and historical figures are used in the lyrics. The song was first published in 1904 in "The Songs of Uladh." Campbell added the lyrics from one of his many poems. ![]() The words to the original song had long since been forgotten. Hughes had collected the traditional melody in Donegal in 1903 when a local had sung him a tune she remembered from her childhood. Both were from Belfast, Hughes being a Protestant (Methodist) and Campbell a Catholic. He travelled to Dublin in 1902 where he was involved in nationalist movements, and collaborated with composer and folk-song arranger Herbert Hughes (1882-1937). He came from a fairly affluent family of road builders in Belfast, but he found his passion in writing poetry. It was penned by Joseph Campbell (1879-1944), an Irish poet and lyricist who wrote under the Gaelic form of his name, Seosamh MacCathmhaoil. The upbeat melody also helped to keep the popularity of the song alive.The Gartan Mother's Lullaby is a wonderful song composed in Ireland at the very end of the Romantic Era. This may be due to Queen Victoria’s love for carols, which found their way into the Anglican Church and soon spread to America and Europe. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen has been a traditional Christmas carol since the mid-18th Century. Wikipedia says the song is a Roud Folk Song and part of the Roxburghe Collection. “… at the first sound of ‘God bless you, merry gentlemen! May nothing you dismay!’, Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost.” The first broadsheet of the song was published around 1760 in London.Ĭharles Dickens referenced the song in his classic A Christmas Carol. While the song is believed to originate back to the 15th Century, evidence is lacking. The writer also fully understood the power of Christ and what His arrival meant to all who embraced it.” He included the high points of the gospel throughout the carol’s verses. Soldiers were told to eat and drink because tomorrow they would conquer hence the term “eat, drink and be merry”.Īce Collins wrote ““ God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’s” lyrics reveal that the song’s unknown writer knew the story of Jesus’ birth well. Think back through history, and how England was known as “Merry old England” at the time this song originated. So, the nightmen were really saying, “God make you mighty, gentlemen.” The word “rest” meant keep or make at this time. In the Middle Ages the word “merry” meant great and mighty. The nightwatchmen are said to sing God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen as they walked the streets of London. The people counteracted this by singing Christmas songs in the streets. The songs were somber and usually written in Latin. In the 15th Century church, songs of joy and happiness were allowed. The song we sing today does not have the same meaning that it did to the English peasants in the 15th Century. Over the centuries, times and meanings have changed. ![]() The hymn is one of the oldest known Christmas carols. The song we sing today has a completely different meaning then at the time it originated. The hymn God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is over 500 years. ![]()
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