Ceol Cheann Dubhrann
Ceol Cheann Dubhrann This is a CD which was put together to raise money for Rann na Feirste National School, and Áislann Rann na Feirste, a Community Center in the Donegal Gaeltacht. The whole production, the engineering, was done by Mánus Lunny. The masters at Park Lane in Glasgow were done by Paul Geechan.
Background
The ‘Ceann Dubhrann Music Committee’ embarked on this project as the Icelandic building work was nearing completion. Most of the musicians are from Rann an Feirste with the exception of special guests Máire Ní Bhraonáin and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. Some of the songs came from Rann na Feirste itself and their other origins which were often sung in the area for many years. The CD was launched on 12 December 2009 in Tábhairne Leo, Mín a ‘Leice. It was also launched in Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich on 26 February 2010.
A free copy was sent to every house in Rann na Feirste. Gael Linn released a CD in 1972 called Rann na Feirste and four musicians from that album also play on this CD.
Notes on the Songs.
1. A Very Warm Summer Day Seán Bán Mac Grianna (John Bán Fheilimí, 1905-1979) from Rann na Feirste composed this song. A love song in which the poet recalls the days of his youth and a beautiful maiden who met him on a Hot Summer Day. But the author failed to have a relationship with her and escaped at night.
2. On a Tuesday Morning This song is another love song and the themes of love are reflected in the lyrics of the song, especially relationship breakdown and heartbreak. The song tells the story of a man who is waiting for his bright love on their wedding day but lets it down because she can’t get married. He blames the gossip of people who divorced them.
3. Méilte Cheann Dubhrann This song was composed by Séamus Ó Grianna (Jimí Fheilimí, 1889-1969), the famous writer from Rann na Feirste, and was first sung in 1925 by his brother, Hiúdaí Fheilimí. Thousands of Ceann Dubhrann at a party at a neighbor ‘s house, Aodh John Mac Gairbheith, for Aoidh’ s son, Johnny Mór, who was leaving for America the next morning. It was half a century before he returned to Rann na Feirste.
4. She seduced Seán Bán Mac Grianna from Rann na Feirste who composed this song about a girl from Gaoth Dobhair whom he fell in love with. She was in love with him too but. neither of the two had ever married. He died before her and she was at his funeral.
5. The First Tuesday of Autumn A sad song composed by Séamus Ó Domhnaill, one of the ‘Poets Without Reputation’, when his son, Pádraig, was drowned while on his way in a curragh across the wind between Bunbeg and Rann na Feirste in 1811. Some writers claim that Patrick is buried in Magherafelt because James’ wife, Gráinne, was from Gaoth Dobhair, and she wanted her son to be buried in Magheragallane. His father was in favor of his son being in the Harp cemetery with all the Dalys of Rann na Feirste. A confrontation ensued between them. The decision was left to Niall, the youngest son, who chose the Harp cemetery.
6. The Burnt Old Man Various versions of this lively song are to be found throughout the country. A young girl married to an old man, but when he is asleep, she plays with young men! A theme that is quite common in many of the love songs is that the young girl is advised not to marry the old man for the sake of worldly possessions. The version of the song available on this CD is very contemporary as is the theme itself.
7. Úirchill an Creagáin One of the sweetest and most beautiful songs to be found; this is a patriotic dream composed by Art Mac Cumhaigh (1715-1773), the most famous of the Orial poets in South Armagh. The poem is in the form of an interview between the poet and a fairy; he weeping for the failure of the Gaels and the oppression of the Gaels, she trying to lure him to the Land of Honey. He eventually surrenders to her on the condition that he be buried with his family in Mountbellew cemetery, no matter where he dies.
8. If you go to a Song Fair that was once very popular in Rann na Feirste and with this new version of the CD, people will be able to listen to the song again. The song was usually sung by the modest people of the town, including the two brothers Aodh and Seán Ó Duibheannaigh as well as the poet Seán Bán Mac Grianna and his nephew, Feidhlimidh Dubh Ó Baoighill. Various versions of these versions have been made over the years.
9. Mo Sheanchara Dhílis This sad song is composed and sung by Gearóidín Breathnach, the renowned singer from Rann na Feirste and winner of the Corn Uí Riada, in memory of her father, Neidí Frainc Mac Grianna. This song won the Oireachtas New Song Competition in 1982.
10. What’s That For That One? An old traditional song that was and is much loved and this is evidence of the various versions
Track list
Tideal Údair Ceoltóir Fad
1.“Lá Brea Te sa tSamhradh”Seán Bán Mac GriannaDónall Mac Ruairí3:36
2.“Ar Maidin Dé Máirt”TraditionalConnie Mhary Mhicí Ó Gallchóir4:26
3.“Méilte Cheann Dubhrann”Séamus Ó GriannaMáire Ní Bhraonáin5:34
4.“Mheall Sí Lena Glórthaí Mé”Seán Bán Mac GriannaBernard Ó Duibheannaigh2:49
5.“An Chéad Mháirt Den Fhómhar”Séamus Ó DomhnaillAodh Óg Ó Duibheannaigh2:46
6.“An Seanduine Dóite”TraditionalAodh Mac Ruairí3:14
7.“Úirchill an Chreagáin”Art Mac CumhaighNéidí Mhary Hughie Ó Gallchóir3:08
8.“Má Théid Tú Chun Aonaigh”TraditionalMairéad Ní Mhaonaigh3:50
9.“Mo Sheanchara Dhílis”Gearóidín BreathnachGearóidín Breathnach4:18
10.“Caidé Sin Don Té Sin”TraditionalMaighread & Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill3:02
11.“Cianach Corrach”Séamus Ó GriannaTony Mac Ruairí4:25
12.“Ruball an Bhardail (port & dhá ríl)”TraditionalSeosamh & Seosamh Óg Mac Grianna3:29
13.“Cumhaidh an Fhile”Seán Bán Mac GriannaRosanna Ní Dhónaill4:31
14.“Is É Fáth Mo Bhuartha”TraditionalJohn Mhary Mhicí Ó Gallchóir2:26
15.“Éirigh Suas a Stóirín”TraditionalSeán Mac Ruairí3:21
16.“Iníon an Bhaoilligh”TraditionalSeán Ó Duibheannaigh2:48
17.“Thíos i Lár an Ghleanna”Séamus Ó GriannaCharlie Ghracie ‘ac Grianna4:45
18.“Ag Siúl Cois na Trá Domh”Pádraig Ó DomhnaillSailí Bn. Uí Ghallchóir4:28
19.“Siubhán Ní Dhuibhir”Traditional; Gráinne Phroinsias Nic GriannaPól Ó Gallchóir3:35