The Vow

See Also: Irish Wedding/Love Traditions (This links to info on Celtic wedding traditions, toasts, food, blessings and poetry)  

This recording captures a moment in time when two people come together, like the two hands surrounding the heart on the traditional Irish Claddah Ring. Two lives become one with the sharing of a few simple words. The Vow.

This album was conceived and produced by Áine and she plays and sings on some of the tracks but old friends Al Halliday and Lisa Moscatiello also take turns at singing. It has a very distinct Irish flavor and is meant to reflect the celebration on ones heritage for commitment ceremonies and weddings. 

It is not available as a physical CD at this time. However, we're happy to offer the MP3 downloads, as well as the often-requested sheet music (both in long form - 3 to 8 page per track or 'fake book' form, 1 page per track).  

Be sure to check out Irish blessings and toasts as well as a myriad of information on Celtic and Irish wedding traditions.  (link at top of page, or go to "Resources" menu and click on "wedding/love Traditions." There's an article on "Claddagh Rings" in the 'articles' section.  Grab a cuppa, there's lots to see!  

Also features Seamus Connolly, (fiddle), Joanie Madden (whistle), John Whelan (accordion), Abby Newton (cello), Skip Healy (whistles), Barry and Shelley Phillips (cello, oboe), the Arden String Quartet and piper Cillian Vallely.  

Fig For a Kiss 3:23

A well known session tune with several varients; this version is based on the song Gáire na mBan or Laughter of the Women. It represents the beginning of courtship and couples gathering. 

Celtic Melody 3:30

A beautiful melody which I first heard from the playing of Alasdair Frazier and Paul Machlis on an album at least a decade ahead of its time - The Road North. 

Rose of Allendale 5:43

A well known love song, with the nostalgic feel of a man looking back on his life - and the love of his life. 

Give Me Your Hand 3:01

I first heard this song through the work of one of Ireland's most influential composers, Sean O'Riada and the group he founded, Ceoltoiri Chualann. This version is meant as a tribute to his monumental efforts in restoring pride and recognition in Ireland's native music. It was said that O'Riada tried to build a harp in his lifetime but actually used harpsichord to reproduce as near a sound to the harp as possible. 

Rory Dall O'Caghan wrote this song in 1603 after receiving an apology from Lady Eglinton of Scotland with whom he had had a disagreement. Known in the Latin as "Mihi Manum," it was written as a song of forgiveness and reconciliation, though it is often used to refer to a marriage proposal. A favorite of O'Riada's, this song can be found in a great number of Irish collections. This version is from the Bunting collection, who took it down from harper Arthur O'Neill (1734-1818) in about 1800. 

The Edge of The White Rock (Bruach na Carraige Baine) 5:03

(Brook nah kar-ig-aah bawn- ah)
This beautiful love song originates from the Blasket Islands, a group of six islands which lie off the coast of Corca Dhuibhne in southwest Kerry. A great deal of music has come to us from these islands during this century, much of it is believed to be rooted in much older traditions. The Blaskets had a wonderful tradition of music as an integral part of the culture and traditions of this close knit community. The Blaskets were brought to the attention of the world by three books which gave a first hand account of island life. They include An tOileanach, the Islandman by Tomás Ó Croimthain, 1929; Fiche Blian ag Gás (Twenty years a Growing) Muiris Ó Suilleabhain Dublin 1933, and most especially Peig by Peig Sayers (Dublin 1936). 

Weddings in these small communities, whose population never exceeded 200, were a huge source of joy - in a place where nature was ruler, these people saw a wedding as the constant hope for the future and the possibility for new life to the island. It represented the most profound symbol of continuance of the island way of life.

Processional 3:52

Lindsay first heard this tune at a concert in Boston featuring the great piper Sean Potts. The song is entitled Cáit Ní Dhuibhir (Kate Dwyer). Even though written as a love song, "Cait Ni Dhuibhir" also served as an allagorical name for Ireland, wherein Ireland herself is personified as a woman. It might explain the stately almost patriotic feel of the tune, which to me sounded like a wedding march or processional. 

The Palatine's Daughter 2:37

I was reminded of the song from my youth by famed musician and poet Tommy Makem, with whom Seamus (Connolly) and I had the pleasure of working with on his CD of poetry "Ancient Pulsing." 

According to noted Irish scholar Donal O'Sullivan, about 30 German families reached Dublin in 1711, transplanted there by the English Government after the War of the Spanish Succession. Being known as the Palatines, they settled mostly in North Kerry and Limerick. While many left for America around 1770, others, like the Palatine's daughter, though of another faith, intermarried with the Irish. 

EibhlÍn A Rún 3:00

(i-lean ah rune)
Hadyn once said that he would have sacrificed all his oratorioes for this melody. Known as the queen of Irish love songs, it is often attributed to the early 17th century poet, Carrol O'Daly. Edward Bunting collected this song from the harper Dennis Hempson in Magilligan in 1792. He felt that the repetition of the fourth tone and the use of all the intervals of the diatonic scale was attributable to an even earlier part of the 16th century, after which time the fourth tone of the scale was intentionally ommitted. 

The Fair Haired Youth 5:02

The Vallelys', a renowned musical family from the north of Ireland, of whom Killian is a member, have a long and celebrated history as part of the musical heritage of County Armagh. Cillian learned this wonderful song/air of love from his mother.

The Irish Girl (An Cailin Gaelach) 2:31

(un kohl-een gale-uck )
Collector Seán O Boyle collected this song from Áodh Ó Duibheannaigh in Ranafast, Donegal in the 1930's and later printed it in his collection Cnuasacht le Cheoltai Uladh (Belfast 1944). A song much associated with the North of Ireland, Seán classifies it as a pastourelle, but believed that a few verses were missing - perhaps regarding a dowry - at a time when matchmaking still held a strong place in the culture!

Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms 3:07

In 1807, Thomas Moore published the "Melodies" which consisted of his own poetry set to music. Ten volumes later Moore's Melodies spread across America and Europe and spawned a love of parlour ballady which lasted well into the twentieth century. It was said that Beethoven himself though highly of these melodies, even providing new arrangements. It may well have had something to do with the fact that they were ancient Irish airs, many originally collected by Edward Bunting. Bunting (1773-1843) painstakingly followed his passion for collecting these ancient airs from the old harpers with the certain knowledge that they would often be picked up by Moore for his next volume. 

Tommy Makem once relayed the story of this song to me. Moore married a much younger woman and while he was on one of his tours, she contracted smallpox. She wrote him, telling him that she would be a much different looking woman when he returned. His reply was written in the form of this poem, which is arguably his best known and loved......"Melody."

An Chuilfhionn 4:53

(un kool-uhn)
Accounts differ as to the exact time of origin of this tune. According to Lynch's Dublin Penny Journal - the original tune may have been written as early as 1295 by an Irish bard, coinciding with an Act passed banning the wearing of long lochs of hair by the young men, as was the custom of the Irish at the time. Bunting maintains it was composed in the 28th year of the reign of Henry VIII. Bunting manuscripted the tune from harper Dennis Hempson at Magilligan in 1796, in the form that had been popular since the 1700's. A much loved air - which has survived in that form to the present day.

Sliabh Na mBan 2:25

(s'leave nah -mon)
Sliabh na mBan means Mountain of the Women and is located in County Tipperary. A wonderfully popular tune for waltzing, it has become the theme song of my home County and Skip's part-time home - Tipperary. It was around such songs that many of our parents and grandparents danced their way into each other's hearts.

Haste to the Wedding 2:15

A well known tune much associated with weddings and reflecting the rush of preparation for the big day.

Áine Minogue: vocals, Irish harp, percussion
Seamus Connolly: fiddle
Paul Groff: concertina, accordion
Barry Phillips: cello
Shelley Phillips: cor anglaise
Randy Roos: guitar, soundscape
Alasdair Halliday: harmony vocals
LIsa Moscatiello: lead vocal
Lindsay O'Donovan: piano
Arden String Quartet
Bruno Raberg: bass
Cillian Vallely: pipes and whistles, low whistle
Sheldon Mirowicz: acoustic and nylon string guitars
Brian Meyers: bass bodhran
Laurel Martin: fiddle
Rohan Gregory: fiddle
Skip Healy: flute
Jimmy Noonan: Irish flute

Fig for a Kiss

(Gaire na mBan - Laugher of the Women) 

Rinnce 's ceol biodh againne
Gliogar is sport is ragairne
Buailimis ceol go fearuil
Is gealainnis croithe na mban.

Curfa:
O ro na cailini 's buachailli oga fearula
Rince, ceol is ragairne
Aileacht is gaire na mban.

Sios is suas an macha linn
Anonn 's anall 's isteach aris
Tuagimis cuairt is casadh
Is blaisimis beola na mban.

Seinimis duain is canaimis
Caithimis susas ar mbratacha
Ce bheadh duairc faoi mhairg
Nuair a Chifeach si gaire na mban.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION 

Dancing and music had we
chat and sport and revelling
We played great music and
waved to the women

Chorus:
the mildness of the girls and
the young manly boys
dancing, music and revelry
the beauty and laughter of the women

Up and down the yard we went
to and fro and through again
visiting with and tasting
the lips of the women 

Playing songs and singing 
we threw off our clocks
Who could be gloomy or sorrowful
around the laughter of women

Rose of Allendale 

The morn was fair the skies were clear
no breath came o'er the sea
when Mary left her highland home
and wandered forth with me
Though flowers deck'd the mountain side
and fragrance filled the vale
By far the sweetest flower there
was the Rose of Allendale

Chorus:
Was the Rose of Allendale
Rose of Allendale
By far the sweetest flower there
was the Rose of Allendale

Where 'er I wandered, east or west,
tho' fate began to lower
she whispered hopes of happiness
and tales of distant shores
My life would be a wilderness
unblest by fotune's gale
Had fate not linked my lot to hers
the Rose of Allendale

Bruach na Carraige Baine (The Edge of the White Rock) 

Bruach na Carraige Báine
Ó is thiar cois abhann gan bhréag gan dabht
Tá an ainnir chiúin tais mhánla
Gur gile a cam ná an eala ar an dtonn
Ó bhaitheas go bonn a bróige
'Sí an stáidbhean í a chráigh mo chroí
Is d'fhág sí m'intinn brónach
Is leigheas le fáil níl agam go brách
Ó dhiúltaigh mo ghrá geal domhsa

Ó b'fhearr liom féin ná Éire mhór
Ná saibhreas Rí na Spáinne
Go mbeinnse 'gus tusa i lúb na finne
I gcoillte i bhfad ónar gcairde
Ó mise is tusa bheith pósta a ghrá
Le haontoil athair is máthar
A mhaighdean óige is milse póg
'S tú grian na Carraige Báine

'S a stuaire an chinn chailce, más dual dom go mbeir agam
Beidh cóir ort a thaitneodh led' chairde
Idir shíoda is hata ó bhonn go baithis
Is gach ní sa chathair dá bhfheabhas
Beidh do bhólacht á gcasadh gach nóin chun baile
Is ceol binn ag beacha ar bhánta
Beidh ór ar do ghlacadh is cóiste dod' tharraingt
Go bruach na Carraige Báine

The Edge of the White Rock (Bruach na Carraige Baine) 

I would prefer than all of Ireland
and the wealth of the King of Spain,
That you and I were in a beautiful nook
in the woods far from our friends,
Oh, if only you and I were married, love,
with the blessing of our parents,
My beloved of the sweetest kiss,
you are the sun of the white rock.

Oh, fair-haired, handsome woman,
if you are not destined for me, your friends will care for you, 
With silk and hats from head to toe and
the most beautiful of all that can be bought in town,
Your cattle will be driven home every evening,
and your horses will make sweet sounds in the fields,
You will have gold in your hand and
you will have a carriage to bring you
to the edge of the white rock.

Bruach na Carraige Baine (The Edge of the White Rock) PHONICS

BRUACH NA CARRIAGE BAINE (BROOK NAH COR-IG-AH BAWN-AH)

O is here kush ow-an gone breag gone down,
tu un ann-ear kuwn-tesh vawn-la
Gur-ah gill er ah kowm e nawn al er un down,
o vawn-tish guh bun ah bro-gah
see un strawd van ee ah kraw muh kree,
gus dawg she min-tchin brone-uk
s'lice leh fall knell a-gum guh braach,
oh yule-thig muh graw gal dow-sah

's far lum hane naw Eire more,
nah sev-reas ree nah spawn-yah
guh men-sah is tus-ah e lube nah fin-yah,
e gull-cha see vod own-awr gord-yah
oh mish-ah gus tus-a veth post-ah a graw,
le hane tull ah-her is maw-her
ah vieJan oge is milt-yah poge,
gurr two green nah korrig-ah baw-nah

Ah Stu-erk un keen kol-kah maws dule gone tuh veth og-um,
veth core urth ah hah-know leh duh kawr-dah
id-eer sheed-ah gus hoth-ah oh bun guh barr
gock knee in-san gath-here dah hawl-ah
Buy duh vow-lah ah gos-aw gock known kun an bal-ah,
keole bin egg doc-iv er vawn-tah
beg ore er duh glock-ah is kosh-tah
egg tarr-inked guh bruke nah korrig-ah bawn-ah

Processional (Cait Ni Dhuibhir)

Trathnoinin beag deanach is mo thread agam a chur on sion
i luib na coille craobhai is nach aerach a bhi mo thriall.
Bhi an chuach is an lon is an cheirseach ar seirse is gach nota fior
is i mbun is i mbarr gach bearsa go mbeidh Eire aige Cait Ni Dhuibhir.

Is bean romhor i pbein me is mo cheile a chuaigh thar toinn
mo chlann go bhfuil i dnaorbhroid go treithlag is gan preab ina gcroi.
Ach eireoidh clanna Gael agus leimfidh go mear gach claiomh
is gurb e tus agus deireadh mo sceilse go mbeidh Eire fos ag Cait Ni Dhuibhir.

The Palatine's Daughter 

As I roved out of an evening through 
the groves of Ballyseedy*
Whom should I meet on a cool retreat
but an Irish Palatine's daughter?
She asked my name and station O!
or where was my dwelling arbour?
Or would I come along with her 
to see her own dear father?
I said I was a rakish lad,
In Currans** I was in sarvice

If you forsake the Mass and sacraments
you'll get me and my portion,
As I have done in person and
my forefathers before me.
You'll get gold and silver O!
and land without tax or charges,
And a letter from Mister Oliver
my father's unfit for sarvice,
And a pretty lass to wed with you,
if you choose a Palatine's daughter."

I courteously saluted her
And twice I kissed my darling:
"And if I go home along with you
shall I get you as my partner?"
She said, "A thousand welcomes O!
and be not the least alarmed,
You'll have my mother's blessing and
best wishes of my father,
You'll get stock and property,
and we'll be happy ever after."

And now my song is ended and
my pen is out of order,
She brought this handsome young man
in presence of her father.
They agreed and soon got married O!
and then he became master,
He got his landed property,
his haggard and his barn,
And then he made a Catholic 
Of the Irish Palatine's daughter 

*Ballyseedy- an area located south-east of Tralee in County Kerry. 
**Currans were a family located located half-way between Castleisland and Farranfore. 

Inghean an Phailitinigh (The Palatine's Daughter) 

Ó! Lá breá aoibhinn maragaidh
's mé a gabhail thrí Bhail O Síoda,
Cé casfai ins a' tslí orm ach
inghean a' Phailitinigh?
O! d'fhiosaruigh sí fios m'ainime,
"nó goide an baile ó go mbionn tú?
A' dtiocfá féin abhaile liom
seal i dtigh mo mhuinntre?"
'Sé dubhart, "Is buachaill greanta mé
do chomhnuíonn i gCoirínibh."

"Ma threigeann tu an t-aifreann
do gheo tu me le posa,
Mar a dhein mo chairde feinig is
a maireann eile beo aca.
Gheo tu or is airgead
is talamh gan aon chios liom,
Agus litir o Mhister Oliver
go bhfuil m'athair caithte, crionna,
Is cailin deas chun taistil leat ,
mas meon leat Pailitineach."

Do dhruideas-sa 'n-a h-aice siud
is do thugas di cupla poigin:
"Is ma theim-se fein abhaile leat
an bhfagha me tu le posa?"
'Se dubhairt si, "Na biodh eagal ort,
tair lion is mile failte,
Is gheo tu le toil m'athar me,
's gan dearmad mo mhaithrin,
Gheo tu stoc ar thalamh liom
is mairfimid go sasta."

Is anois ta mo dhuainin croichnuithe
's gan peann na dubh im dhearnain,
Do thug si an t-oigfhear barrfhionn le
abhaile go dti n-a mathair.
Do chriochnuiodar an maraga
is bhi se annsan 'n-a mhaistir,
Fuair se tigh is talamh le
'gus iothala chluthmhar shasta,
Is annsan do dhein se Caitliceach
den ainnir mhilis mhanla.

Eileen Aroon - Eibhlin a Run 

I know a valley fair, Eileen aroon
I know a cottage there, Eileen aroon
Far in that valley's shade
I knew a gentle maid
Flower of a hazel glade, Eileen aroon

Who in the song, so sweet, Eileen aroon
Who in the dance so fleet, Eileen aroon
Dear are her charms to me
Dearer her laughter free
Dearest her constancy, Eileen aroon

When, like the early rose, Eileen aroon
Beauty in childhood blows; Eileen aroon
When, like a diadem
Buds blush around the stem
Which is the fairest gem? Eileen aroon

Is is the laughing eye, Eileen aroon
Is it the timid sigh, Eileen aroon
Is it the tender tone
Soft as the string'd harp's moan?
Oh! it is truth alone, Eileen aroon

When like the rising day, Eileen aroon
Love sends his early ray, Eileen aroon
What makes his dawning glow
Changeless through joy or woe?
Only the constant know - Eileen aroon

Eibhlin A Run - Eileen Aroon 

Sheolfainn fein gamhna leat, Eibhlin a run
Sheolfainn fein gamhna leat, Eibhlin a run
Sheolfainn fein gamhna leat, sios go Tir Amhlai leat
Mar shuil go mbeinn i gcleamhnas leat, Eibhlin a run

An dtiocfaidh tu no an bhfanfaidh tu, Eibhlin a run?
An dtiocfaidh tu no an bhfainfaidh tu, Eibhlin a run?
Tiocfaidh me is ni fhanfaidh me, tiocfaidh me is ni fhanfaidh me
Tiocfaidh me is ni fhanfaidh me is ealoidh me le me stor.

An Paistin Fionn (The Fair Haired Youth) 

Gra mo chroi mo phaistin fionn
A croi 's a haigne ag gaire liom
A ciocha geala mar bhlath na n-ull
Is a piob' mar eala la Marta

Curfa:
It tusa mo run, mo run, mo run
Is tusa mo run is mo ghra geal
It tusa mo run, 's mo chumann go buan
'S e mo chreach gan tu agam o d' mhaithrin

Cara mo chroi mo phaistin fionn
A dha gru' ar lasadh mar bhlath na gcrann
Ta mise saor ar mo phaistin fionn
Ach amhain nuair a olaim a slainte

Da mbeinnse sa bhaile 'mbionn sugradh is greann
No idir dha bhairille lan de leann
Mo shiuirin i m'aice 's mo lamh faoin a ceann
Is sugach a d'olfainn a slainte.

Bhi me naoi n-oiche i m' lui go bocht,
O bheith sinte faoin dile 's me 'dir dha thor,
A chumann mo chroi, 's me ag smaoineamh ort
Is ni bhfaighinnse la fead na le glao thu

O, treigfead mo mhuintir 's mo chairde gaoil
Agus treigfead a maireann de mhna an tsaoil
Ni threigfead le m' mharthain* thu, 'ghra mo chroi,
No go sinfear i gconra faoi chlar me! 

*le e bheo, fad a mhairfidh me 

The Fair Haired Youth - An Paistin Fionn 

Love of my heart my fair haired youth
his heart and joyousness laughing with me
His white breast is as the flowers of the apple
and his neck is like that of a Swan

Curfa:
You are my dear, my dear, my dear
you are my dear and my dearest one
You are my dear and my enduring companion

An Cailin Gaelach (The Irish Girl) 

B' aite liom fein bheith ar thaobh mala shleibhe
'Gus cailin Gaelach a bheith i mo chomhair;
Bheinn a breagadh 's a' teannadh leithe
'Gus dar liom fein, 'riu, gur dheas ar ndoigh!

Ag eiri dom fein ar maidin an lae ghil
is me ag gabhail fan choill chraobhai is me ag seoladh bo
tharla dom and speirbhean ina sui ar an leana
is a fallaing lei is i lan de chnonn

Is maith an airi ar an buaibh a shantu
'Gus bheinnse a seoladh amuigh sa la
Im agus bainne iad, 'theacht an tsamhraidh
'S mar gheall ar bholacht a phostar mna

The Irish Girl (An Cailin Gaelach) 

I would love to be on the side of a hillside
with an Irish girl beside me
I would tease her and pull her closer
and I say to myself, how nice it would be

As I roved out of a morning early
when I was herding the cows
I saw a vision of a woman sitting on the pasture
and her shawl was filled with hazel nuts

It is care that the herds deserve
and I would heard them outside all day
milk and bread from them all through the summer
and for such things - young women wed.

The Irish Girl (An Cailin Gaelach) PHONICS

(an koll-een gale-uck) (phonetics)

Bah-at-ya lum hane veth er heave molly shlave-hah
gus kol-een gale-uck a veth muh kore
Vene ah brage-ah sah tean-i-hu lay-hah
Gus dar lum hane rua gur yass er noy

Egg i-ri dumb hane ar waid-in un lay gh-eall
smay gow-el fawn koll krave-e smay show-lah bow
hor-lley dumb un spare-van nah see er un lane-ah
's ah foll-ing lay-hah she lawn deh g'know

Deer-ey may deet-hah guh kewin is guh kale-ah
un glock-ig tu poge wam ah store muh kree
dos-kil she a bale-een gus low'er she bear-lah
she duirt she "Pray sir, and let me be"

s'mah un arr-ee er nah boo-ib a shan-tuh
gus been-sah ah showl-ah ah-m'with sah law
Imm og-us bon-yah eed, er tocked ah tower-ee
'smar yeall er vol-acht ah fose-tar manaw

Believe Me if all Those Endearing Young Charms 

Believe me if all those endearing your charms
Which I gaze on so fondly today
Were to change by tomorrow and fleet in my arms
Like fairy gifts fading away
Thou would'st still be ador'd
as this moment thou art
Let thy loveliness fade as it will
And around the dear ruin, each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still

It is not while beauty and youth are thing own
And thy cheek unprofan'd by a tear
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known
To which time will but make thee more dear
Oh, the heart that has truly loved never forgets
But as truly loves on to the close;
As the sun flower turns on her God when he sets
The same look that she gave when he rose

An Chuilfhionn 

An bhfaca tu an chuilfhionn is i taobh leis an toinn
fainni oir ar a mearaibh is i ag reiteach a cinn?
Is e duirt an Paorach a bhi ina mhaor ar an loing
go mb'fhearr leis aige fein i na Eire gan roinn.

An bhfaca tu an speirbhean is i ag siul ar na boithre
maidin gheal druchta is gan smuit ar a broga?
Is iomai oganach suilghlas ag tnuth lena posadh
ach ni bhfaighidh siad mo runsa ar an gcuntas is doigh leo

An bhfaca tu mo bhaban la brea is i ina haonar
a cul dualach drisleanach go slinnean sios lei
Mil ar an ogbhean is ros brea ina headan
is is doigh le gach spreasan gur leannan leis fein i.

CELTIC BEAT 
The focus of Áine's new CD is centered around the wedding, in particular, the vow. Some of the most touching tunes on the CD include "Fig for a Kiss," an intricate yet gentle piece beautifully sung in Irish Gaelic by Áine, and "Celtic Melody," a moving tune featuring Áine's rich harp playing. "Rose of Allendale" sung by Lisa Moscatiello along with piano playing by Lindsey O'Donovan is so beautiful, so timeless! Two real charmers are "Sliabh Na mBan," a waltzing tune featuring Skip Healy on flute, and "The Palatine's Daughter" played by Seamus Connolly, Laurel Martin, and the Arden String Quartet, a stunning piece - so classical in sound. Listeners who are already married will be both charmed and moved by this romantic CD and those who are getting married -you've lucked out -buy it.

They are located here:
http://www.minogue.com/wedding-love-traditions/

http://www.minogue.com/wedding-love-traditions/

Eternity by William Blake

He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy;
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternities’ sunrise
To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour

We have an entire section of the site dedicated to Irish Blessings, toasts and wedding traditions.

See: Irish Wedding Traditions