We got chatting with one of our latest Irish language lessons members. Her name is Mary Murphy – an Irish singer and writer based in Canada. Here she shares one of her songs to listen to, along with an interview about her songs, writings, and learning the Irish language.
Song…
Click just below to play “Siúil a Rún” sung by Mary Murphy. It’s part in Irish, part in English.
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Click here to download the lyrics (PDF).
“Siúil a rún” means “Walk, my dear/my love”.
The song continues with “siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom” which means “walk to the door and escape with me”.
If you liked the song, please share your thoughts with us by leaving a reply below this post. Also watch out for more songs from Mary on this blog in the coming weeks. A link to Mary’s site with more music is below!
Mary, you sing some songs in Irish. Where are you based, and how did you get into singing in Irish?
Let me see how complicated an answer I can create when asked this lovely simple question. I am based on the west coast of Canada at present, Vancouver Island to be exact. I do however; return home every year for up to two months. Nearly all my family are in Wexford (where I was born), Wicklow and Dublin. I am not sure where I really reside, as my soul lives in these places while my body lives mostly across the pond in Canada. I have also lived in New York and California so I suppose gypsy feet are part and parcel of who I am.
I have always loved the Irish language. I grew up in a very lively and musical household where singing was ever present. Certainly not an a-typical story for my generation. I am the youngest of six, so I had many voices to look up to and learn from so to speak.
On Sunday evenings, after our meal, we would as a family, sing traditional songs, which of course included rebel songs.
As I became older and began singing professionally I had a keen desire to dip into the beautiful language that is Irish. I have had several great translators (Irish teachers) over the years that checked, and check, my pronunciation before I release anything on a CD.
Where abouts have you performed your songs?
Right now I tour primarily in Canada but we have toured in the US (we are going down there next month actually) and Europe, including the all-famous ‘Cobblestone’ in Dublin. I was on a German record label for a little while and they brought us to Germany which was a great experience.
Apart from singing, do you have other creative streaks? (you’re a writer, right?)
Please do not ask me to do math equations, dissect a frog, or figure out what is wrong with my car. I was born with a creative mind.
I have been a dancer since I was a little thing, and I love to write. I write the majority of my material. The novel I wrote a few years ago was picked up by a publisher which was wonderful. I am about to retreat to our recording studio to record seven original Faery tales. I play and love percussion and also play the tin whistle (s). My husband/musical partner is an amazing and accomplished guitarist/producer and there have been many pieces where he has written the music and I have written the lyrics.
We own and operate a professional recording studio, though he is the main man on all technical aspects. I am the assistant and sometimes we both are producers.
What would you say to people who are only considering learning to speak Irish?
I have to say that patience is a must. Gentleness with oneself is important as well as there will be many mistakes and assuredly embarrassing moments. This is true for learning anything new for that matter. Perseverance, and above all, allowing joy to rain down, as you conquer the smallest of steps.
I think I need to print that paragraph and place it on my desk to read every day! I have always been a goal-oriented person but it is easy as an artist to fall into despair when things seem unattainable.
I appreciate being asked this question as it forces me to reflect on my own journey into the beauty of Irish.
If people want to hear more, where can they get your music?
My web site has both a ‘Recordings’ page and a ‘Mary’s published novel’ page. http://www.marymurphy.ca/ I am a very approachable person and will answer whatever inquiries someone might have. My e-mail is on the “Contact’ page.
[Eoin’s note: I did not hold Mary at ransom to say the following! :)] I must say in closing, that Bitesize Irish is the best run Irish language site I have found to date. Eoin and Sasa have done a brilliant job making learning Irish a fun, organized and pleasant experience. The photo of them on the ‘about’ page shows two smiling, engaging individuals who are striving to create a professional home based business that betters the lives of others. I can relate to that philosophy and say to those reading this, ‘what have you got to lose? What have you got to gain?’ When you answer that question you will surely sign on.
All the best,
Mary Murphy
Closing notes
Thanks to Mary for her interview and for sharing her music. Make sure to visit Mary’s site where you can get more of her music.
There are several other blog posts you might be interested in:
How did you like this post? Leave a reply below.
14 thoughts on “Irish Singer Shares Irish Language Song, and Interview”
beautiful. We used to sing this song completely in English when we were kids in Boston, Massachusetts. I didn’t know it was Irish until 1979 when I went to Dublin and Dun Chaoin to study Irish. I love it.
Go raibh maith agat, a Mháire, do an amhrán seo. A leithéid de glór hálainn agatsa! Go raibh maith agaibh, Eoin agus Sasa. Bíonn a Bitesize Irish Gaelic spéisiúil i gcónaí. Rich
Go raibh maith agat, Rich, agus beidh níos mó amhráin anseo go luath (there’ll be more songs here soon).
Conas tá tú Dennise. go raibh maith agat Saol mo mhac i santa cruz! I assume you mean california?
Sorry to disappoint you, but i am not a fan of Christmas music and i have many (probably too many) songs on the go right now. I am also getting ready for a tour so my time is stretched to the limit. I so appreciate your reading and listening though. I will be sending a few other tunes to these lovely people, so keep on the lookout. I will have to look you all up when i get down your way!
slan,
máire
Yup, Sasa and I had the pleasure of meeting Máire http://www.marymclaughlin.com/ in Santa Cruz a few months ago. Sorry we didn’t get to meet Dennise!
Go raibh mile maith agat, a Mhaire!
Is breá linn gach rud na hÉireann i Santa Cruz.
Is í Máire Nic Lochlainn ár múinteoir Gaeilge.
Is amhránaí thar barr í.
Is as an Omaigh í, ach tá sí ina cónaí i Santa Cruz.
A request: Could you sing Oíche Nollag, by Máire Mhac an tSaoi?
Such a beautiful song, and some simple words, like “bia agus deoch”
and another lovely pair, “olla” agus “síoda.”
Beannacht Bhríde leat, Dennise
An angel’s voice for an angel’s song! So inspiring to listen to your beautiful version of this beautiful song and for the interview! Thanks for sharing it with us all!
HI ya Jo,
Just popping in to say thank you for listening and responding. What a beautiful response too, I greatly appreciate the lovely compliments. be well
M
Very beautiful.
The song was delightful, and I found may self singing the Irish verse with you.
Hi Gordon, Excellent! Singing along is a great thing and I encourage it at my shows. Thanks for responding. m
Wow, thank you for your lovely comments. I am so pleased that people have read the interview and listened to the song! Stay tuned for more music , and who knows what else, in the coming days/weeks/months/years ? Mary aka Máire.
A great inspiration. When I think “why bother?” I just need to listen to this.
I really loved Mary’s rendition of Siúil a Rún – and I thought her pronunciation was spot on! She absolutely correct about being gentle with oneself while learning any language. I have made incredibly embarrassing mistakes when I started out learning German years ago; and I know I’ll eventually do the same as I grow in Irish Gaelic. The only real failure is failing to try. Thanks, Mary for making the world a brighter place with your talents. And Eoin and Sasa – I, too, am really pleased with Bitesize Irish Gaelic! I am already recognizing words in music and television shorts I find on the web. Slán agat – Lee!