An Semi-Staged Sean Nós Opera for vocalists and The Irish Memory Orchestra
Mná Brian Boru was commissioned by Clare County Council to commemorate the millennium of the death of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. The story is told from the point of view of the most important women in Boru's life.
Boru's voice is represented by the uilleann pipes.
Mná Brian Boru was premiered in St. Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe on October 21st 2014
Mná Brian Boru was commissioned by Clare County Council to commemorate the millennium of the death of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. The story is told from the point of view of the most important women in Boru's life.
Boru's voice is represented by the uilleann pipes.
Mná Brian Boru was premiered in St. Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe on October 21st 2014
Section I – Young Brian Bou (Brian Óg)
1. The Birth of Brian Boru
2. Song I - Be Binn’s Prophecy
Section II – The High King
1. The Coronation of the King
2. Song II – Gormflaith’s Call (The SCAIRBHÍN)
3. Section III – The Battle of Clontarf
1. Song III - Salute to Brian of the Tributes
2. The Dalcassians Slaughter the Norsemen At Clontarf
3. Brian BorU’s Battle March
4. The Dalcassian’s Victory March
Section IV – The Death of Brian Boru
1. Brodir Slays Boru
2. Song IV - Sadb’s Lament for the Fallen King
Mná Brian Ború - Original Cast
Brian Ború – Mick O’Brien (Uilleann Pipes)
Young Brian Ború – Cormac O’Brien (Uilleann Pipes)
Ború’s Mother
Bé Binn inion Urchadh – Etain McCooey (Lead Vocal)
Ború’s Daughters
Sadb – Roisin Donohoe (Lead Vocal)
Blathnaid – Maeve O’Hara (Harmony Vocals)
Bé Binn – Aoife Ni Bhriain (Harmony Vocals)
Sláine – Ciara Ni Bhriain (Harmony Vocals)
Ború’s Wives
Gormflaith – Niamh Varian-Barry (Lead Vocal)
Dubhcobhla -Edel Vaughan (Harmony Vocals)
Ború’s Sister
Orlaith – Ceara Conway (Harmony Vocals)
Ború’s Killer
Brodir The Viking – Bjorn Bantock (Conductor)
Orchestra Players
Violin
Aoife Ni Bhriain
Adrian Hart
Eilis Lennon
Katharine Mannion
Fiddle
Liz Coleman
Tara Connaghan
Brid Harper
Aine McGrath
Viola
Niamh Varian-Barry
Ciara Ni Bhriain
Cello
Cormac Ó Briain
Double Bass
Neil O’Loghlen
Flutes/Whistles
Aisling Agnew
Eimear McGeown
Oboe/Cor Anglais
Etain McCooey
Sax/Bass Clarinet/Bronze Age Horns
Matthew Berrill
Trumpet/Bronze Age Horns
Neil Yates
Trombone/Bronze Age Horns
Alex Borwick
Bronze Age Horns/Bodhrán/Harmony Vocals
Billy Mag Fhloinn
Harp
Anne-Marie O’Farrell
Percussion
Aidan Dunphy
Maeve O’Hara
Electric Guitar
Dave Flynn (also percussion/harmony vocals)
Jason Noone
1. The Birth of Brian Boru
2. Song I - Be Binn’s Prophecy
Section II – The High King
1. The Coronation of the King
2. Song II – Gormflaith’s Call (The SCAIRBHÍN)
3. Section III – The Battle of Clontarf
1. Song III - Salute to Brian of the Tributes
2. The Dalcassians Slaughter the Norsemen At Clontarf
3. Brian BorU’s Battle March
4. The Dalcassian’s Victory March
Section IV – The Death of Brian Boru
1. Brodir Slays Boru
2. Song IV - Sadb’s Lament for the Fallen King
Mná Brian Ború - Original Cast
Brian Ború – Mick O’Brien (Uilleann Pipes)
Young Brian Ború – Cormac O’Brien (Uilleann Pipes)
Ború’s Mother
Bé Binn inion Urchadh – Etain McCooey (Lead Vocal)
Ború’s Daughters
Sadb – Roisin Donohoe (Lead Vocal)
Blathnaid – Maeve O’Hara (Harmony Vocals)
Bé Binn – Aoife Ni Bhriain (Harmony Vocals)
Sláine – Ciara Ni Bhriain (Harmony Vocals)
Ború’s Wives
Gormflaith – Niamh Varian-Barry (Lead Vocal)
Dubhcobhla -Edel Vaughan (Harmony Vocals)
Ború’s Sister
Orlaith – Ceara Conway (Harmony Vocals)
Ború’s Killer
Brodir The Viking – Bjorn Bantock (Conductor)
Orchestra Players
Violin
Aoife Ni Bhriain
Adrian Hart
Eilis Lennon
Katharine Mannion
Fiddle
Liz Coleman
Tara Connaghan
Brid Harper
Aine McGrath
Viola
Niamh Varian-Barry
Ciara Ni Bhriain
Cello
Cormac Ó Briain
Double Bass
Neil O’Loghlen
Flutes/Whistles
Aisling Agnew
Eimear McGeown
Oboe/Cor Anglais
Etain McCooey
Sax/Bass Clarinet/Bronze Age Horns
Matthew Berrill
Trumpet/Bronze Age Horns
Neil Yates
Trombone/Bronze Age Horns
Alex Borwick
Bronze Age Horns/Bodhrán/Harmony Vocals
Billy Mag Fhloinn
Harp
Anne-Marie O’Farrell
Percussion
Aidan Dunphy
Maeve O’Hara
Electric Guitar
Dave Flynn (also percussion/harmony vocals)
Jason Noone
Mná Brian Ború Lyrics
Lead Vocals are in normal type – Group Vocal Responses in Italics
Song I
Be Binn’s Prophecy
Verse Lyrics By Padraic Ó’Beirn
Oh you were the fair haired boy Brian Óg
you were the fair haired boy
The blackbirds sang your name my boy Brian Óg
on the plains of Ballincroy
You will father mighty sons Brian Óg
your line will be strong and true (Beidh cáil ar do shliocht fíréin)
Three fair maidens by your side Brian Óg
at the fort of Beal Boru (i gCathair Bhéal Bóraimhe)
You will slay your brother's foe Brian Óg
the O'Donovans and Molloy (Uí Dhonnabháin is Uí Mhaoil)
Bold Ivar will taste your iron Brian Óg
On Scattery Island’s Shore (Ar Inis Cathaigh an Naoimh)
Bridge Lyrics by Dave Flynn
I can see your future but I’ll never live your glory
(Ach ní domsa do ghlór shíoraí)
For the Norsemen you’ll defeat will murder me first
(Déanfar corp díom ag na Finghaill Chlaíte)
They’ll murder your father, your brother, your friends
But you will build strength and take revenge
You will build fierce strength and take revenge
(Cruinneofar neart rua, agus fillfidh an feall)
Song II
Gormlaith’s Call- The Scairbhín
(Lyrics by Pádraic Ó’Beirn)
I love your heart
But I will never know your mind
I bore you the finest son
To follow in your line
I was the girl for bewitching men
They melted like mud in the frost
I was the girl for bewitching men
They faded like dust in the dark
Blood will flow
on the meadow of the Bulls
Kings will fall and kin will cry
The sea will salt the bones
The eel will gorge on eyes
You will not gaze on sweet Kincora again (Ar Chionn Cora arís)
One thousand coats of chain to weigh you down (mar eire trom)
The Scairbhín will call out your name (fógair do cháil)
Red with blood the crushed crown (rígsuí an scáil)
Do you remember the bluebell bed (an cheapach ghlas)
Near Cill Da Lua where we lay our heads (ar a luíodas síos)
And at Tountinna of the ancient graves (na bhfeartach ard)
You honoured me on a bright summer’s day
Epilogue – Gormflaith’s Defence
(Lyrics by Dave Flynn)
History’s Scribes will curse my name (Mallaigh a ainm)
Unjustly giving me the blame (Uirthí an locht)
For inciting violence at Clontarf (Cluain Tarbh a coir)
For goading Brodir’s brutal heart (Bródir feallchríoch)
‘Tis A story told by pitiful men (Díol trua na fir)
Unwilling to betray brethren (A Chlaonais gan doic)
Like Eve was cursed for Adam’s bite (Ba bheite a ghreim)
I’m tarnished by chauvinistic spite (Smál ort go deimhin)
I didn’t goad a single man (Fear aonta?)
Should I be blamed for all that’s lost? (Tá cách caillte)
I lost the sire of my finest son (A mhacsa is fear)
In a battle no one’s really won
(Chorus sing to Gormflaith)
Go dtachta an diabhal thú
go Fíoríochtar ifrinn tú
Song 3
Daughter’s Song- Salute to Brian of the Tributes
Lyrics by Pádraic Ó’Beirn
We learnt our trade from the winds of sorrow
Our voices carry knives
We live for the day and fight tomorrow
Keep secrets in our eyes
Oh lord if you see fit let the wind be behind us
Oh lord If you please leave the sun low to guide us
To smite the invaders oh lord hear this plea
To rain and throw shite on our enemy
(fearthainn fhearthaí ar aon namhaid ‘tá againn)
We salute you Brian of the Tributes
Lion of Munster, Lord of the Land
‘Sé do bheatha, a Bhriain na bóraimhe
Leon na Mumhanach, tiarna na ndál
You’ll bring silk from the fortress
Feathers and fine bedding
You will take Steeds strong and fleet
fine women for wedding
Our father smiles in the face of his foe
He dulls the sheen of their iron
He will prepare the ground
He’ll take the sun at his back
Master of the battle
Artist of the attack.
Codhnach cúnaí cogaidh
Taoiseach tachair an bhua
Dalcassians of the cleaving swords
Will smite the rabid Norsemen horde at Clontarf
Millfidh Dál gCais ard an Chlaímh
An díorma Danar gan díolíos
Song 4
Sadb’s Lament for the Fallen King
Part 1 – Lyrics by Pádraic Ó’Beirn
No more sun-rise on the hill for you
To stir your noble heart
Some ancient winter’s chill for you
On the path from light to dark
Brave sons and daughters rose and fell
In the starry dust of dreams
Brian Boru you schooled us well
For our land to be free.
Fearless and valiant in the fray
Now you lie and sleep at peace
The blackbird’s song at break of day
Gave way to the banshee shriek
Blow soft Spring wind that spreads the seed
Let April’s eve show the bleeding sun.
Bitter the cost of freedom.
For what was lost and won
Farewell to the King and Munster’s own
Though the wheel of life be still
In his memory and to his glory
Brian lives and ever will.
Sadb’s Lament Part 2 –
Lyrics by Dave Flynn – Irish translations by Billy Mag Fhloinn
As his earthly body lies, watch his spirit rise
They are calling him to Bé Binn’s side
She is calling him to join her as our hearts they sink so low
She is calling him to heaven with Gabriel’s oboe
Chorus
Slán, Slán Ború Mo Rí
Slán go Foill, Slán Mo Rí
Farewell, Farewell, Ború my King
Farewell for now, Farewell my King
The following words are only sung in Irish.
The original English lyrics are given for reference.
You were the rock that I lived my life upon - M’fhoras saoil le linn mo ré tú
You were the call in the night to make sure I was safe - Mo ghairm lúirí ar cheann oíche
You were the hand on my shoulder to give me solace - Lámh tharam a thug sólás dom
You were the gravity that kept my feet on the ground - M’fhorastacht chun fód a sheasamh
You were the soldier who protected me from evil - M’óglach in aghaidh gach drocháisce
You were the king who advised me wisely - Rí sanais is comhairle ceart tú
You were the provider who filled my kitchen - Ceann costaidh a mhór mo stór tú
You were the mentor who taught me to live and love - M’oide múinte saoil is seirce
Without you I’ll be blind to the unknown - Beidse dall sa dobhar gan tú
Without you I’ll slip on the ice of uncertainty - Dúchríoch mo dhúthaigh gan tú
Without you I’ll grow old with sleeplessness - Raghaid in aois le neamhshuan gan tú
Without you I’ll shed tears to fill an empty Lough - Líonfead loch le deora gan tú
Without you I’ll be fearful of muridaen shadows - Scanraithe roimh scáth luch gan tú
Without you I’ll hunger for the knowledge of sages - Fios na néigse uaim gan tú
Without you I’ll sink into the quicksand of grief - Slogtha i mbrón súraic gan tú
Without you I’ll never be whole again - Ní bheid riamh comhlíonta gan tú
Lead Vocals are in normal type – Group Vocal Responses in Italics
Song I
Be Binn’s Prophecy
Verse Lyrics By Padraic Ó’Beirn
Oh you were the fair haired boy Brian Óg
you were the fair haired boy
The blackbirds sang your name my boy Brian Óg
on the plains of Ballincroy
You will father mighty sons Brian Óg
your line will be strong and true (Beidh cáil ar do shliocht fíréin)
Three fair maidens by your side Brian Óg
at the fort of Beal Boru (i gCathair Bhéal Bóraimhe)
You will slay your brother's foe Brian Óg
the O'Donovans and Molloy (Uí Dhonnabháin is Uí Mhaoil)
Bold Ivar will taste your iron Brian Óg
On Scattery Island’s Shore (Ar Inis Cathaigh an Naoimh)
Bridge Lyrics by Dave Flynn
I can see your future but I’ll never live your glory
(Ach ní domsa do ghlór shíoraí)
For the Norsemen you’ll defeat will murder me first
(Déanfar corp díom ag na Finghaill Chlaíte)
They’ll murder your father, your brother, your friends
But you will build strength and take revenge
You will build fierce strength and take revenge
(Cruinneofar neart rua, agus fillfidh an feall)
Song II
Gormlaith’s Call- The Scairbhín
(Lyrics by Pádraic Ó’Beirn)
I love your heart
But I will never know your mind
I bore you the finest son
To follow in your line
I was the girl for bewitching men
They melted like mud in the frost
I was the girl for bewitching men
They faded like dust in the dark
Blood will flow
on the meadow of the Bulls
Kings will fall and kin will cry
The sea will salt the bones
The eel will gorge on eyes
You will not gaze on sweet Kincora again (Ar Chionn Cora arís)
One thousand coats of chain to weigh you down (mar eire trom)
The Scairbhín will call out your name (fógair do cháil)
Red with blood the crushed crown (rígsuí an scáil)
Do you remember the bluebell bed (an cheapach ghlas)
Near Cill Da Lua where we lay our heads (ar a luíodas síos)
And at Tountinna of the ancient graves (na bhfeartach ard)
You honoured me on a bright summer’s day
Epilogue – Gormflaith’s Defence
(Lyrics by Dave Flynn)
History’s Scribes will curse my name (Mallaigh a ainm)
Unjustly giving me the blame (Uirthí an locht)
For inciting violence at Clontarf (Cluain Tarbh a coir)
For goading Brodir’s brutal heart (Bródir feallchríoch)
‘Tis A story told by pitiful men (Díol trua na fir)
Unwilling to betray brethren (A Chlaonais gan doic)
Like Eve was cursed for Adam’s bite (Ba bheite a ghreim)
I’m tarnished by chauvinistic spite (Smál ort go deimhin)
I didn’t goad a single man (Fear aonta?)
Should I be blamed for all that’s lost? (Tá cách caillte)
I lost the sire of my finest son (A mhacsa is fear)
In a battle no one’s really won
(Chorus sing to Gormflaith)
Go dtachta an diabhal thú
go Fíoríochtar ifrinn tú
Song 3
Daughter’s Song- Salute to Brian of the Tributes
Lyrics by Pádraic Ó’Beirn
We learnt our trade from the winds of sorrow
Our voices carry knives
We live for the day and fight tomorrow
Keep secrets in our eyes
Oh lord if you see fit let the wind be behind us
Oh lord If you please leave the sun low to guide us
To smite the invaders oh lord hear this plea
To rain and throw shite on our enemy
(fearthainn fhearthaí ar aon namhaid ‘tá againn)
We salute you Brian of the Tributes
Lion of Munster, Lord of the Land
‘Sé do bheatha, a Bhriain na bóraimhe
Leon na Mumhanach, tiarna na ndál
You’ll bring silk from the fortress
Feathers and fine bedding
You will take Steeds strong and fleet
fine women for wedding
Our father smiles in the face of his foe
He dulls the sheen of their iron
He will prepare the ground
He’ll take the sun at his back
Master of the battle
Artist of the attack.
Codhnach cúnaí cogaidh
Taoiseach tachair an bhua
Dalcassians of the cleaving swords
Will smite the rabid Norsemen horde at Clontarf
Millfidh Dál gCais ard an Chlaímh
An díorma Danar gan díolíos
Song 4
Sadb’s Lament for the Fallen King
Part 1 – Lyrics by Pádraic Ó’Beirn
No more sun-rise on the hill for you
To stir your noble heart
Some ancient winter’s chill for you
On the path from light to dark
Brave sons and daughters rose and fell
In the starry dust of dreams
Brian Boru you schooled us well
For our land to be free.
Fearless and valiant in the fray
Now you lie and sleep at peace
The blackbird’s song at break of day
Gave way to the banshee shriek
Blow soft Spring wind that spreads the seed
Let April’s eve show the bleeding sun.
Bitter the cost of freedom.
For what was lost and won
Farewell to the King and Munster’s own
Though the wheel of life be still
In his memory and to his glory
Brian lives and ever will.
Sadb’s Lament Part 2 –
Lyrics by Dave Flynn – Irish translations by Billy Mag Fhloinn
As his earthly body lies, watch his spirit rise
They are calling him to Bé Binn’s side
She is calling him to join her as our hearts they sink so low
She is calling him to heaven with Gabriel’s oboe
Chorus
Slán, Slán Ború Mo Rí
Slán go Foill, Slán Mo Rí
Farewell, Farewell, Ború my King
Farewell for now, Farewell my King
The following words are only sung in Irish.
The original English lyrics are given for reference.
You were the rock that I lived my life upon - M’fhoras saoil le linn mo ré tú
You were the call in the night to make sure I was safe - Mo ghairm lúirí ar cheann oíche
You were the hand on my shoulder to give me solace - Lámh tharam a thug sólás dom
You were the gravity that kept my feet on the ground - M’fhorastacht chun fód a sheasamh
You were the soldier who protected me from evil - M’óglach in aghaidh gach drocháisce
You were the king who advised me wisely - Rí sanais is comhairle ceart tú
You were the provider who filled my kitchen - Ceann costaidh a mhór mo stór tú
You were the mentor who taught me to live and love - M’oide múinte saoil is seirce
Without you I’ll be blind to the unknown - Beidse dall sa dobhar gan tú
Without you I’ll slip on the ice of uncertainty - Dúchríoch mo dhúthaigh gan tú
Without you I’ll grow old with sleeplessness - Raghaid in aois le neamhshuan gan tú
Without you I’ll shed tears to fill an empty Lough - Líonfead loch le deora gan tú
Without you I’ll be fearful of muridaen shadows - Scanraithe roimh scáth luch gan tú
Without you I’ll hunger for the knowledge of sages - Fios na néigse uaim gan tú
Without you I’ll sink into the quicksand of grief - Slogtha i mbrón súraic gan tú
Without you I’ll never be whole again - Ní bheid riamh comhlíonta gan tú
