The national anthem of the Republic of Ireland, 'Amhrán na bhFiann', was originally written in English but was later translated into Irish. With it, the title changed from 'The Soldier's Song' to the Irish translation. But what are its lyrics in both languages (including the three verses which are usually overlooked in favour of the choral refrain)?
When was 'Amhrán na bhFiann' (The Soldier's Song') written and composed?
The lyrics for 'Amhrán na bhFiann', known in English as 'The Soldier's Song', were written by Peadar Kearney and Patrick Heeney in 1909-10 and the anthem was published in 1912. Peadar Kearney was a republican and composed a number of songs for the Irish cause, including 'The Soldier's Song', which is a rallying call for an independent Ireland.
The words were translated into Irish by Liam Ó Rinn, another republican who took part in the Easter Rising.
In 1916 Amhrán na bhFiann' (The Soldier's Song') was set music by and replaced 'God Save Ireland' as the anthem of Irish nationalists. In 1926, four years after the Irish Free State was established in 1922, it was formally adopted Ireland's anthem.
Did you know the Irish Presidential Salute, plays the first four bars of the national anthem immediately followed by the last five?
What are the English lyrics to The Soldiers Song?
Soldiers are we,
whose lives are pledged to Ireland,
Some have come from a land beyond the wave,
Sworn to be free,
no more our ancient sireland,
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the "bearna bhaoil",
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal,
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles' peal,
We'll chant a soldier's song.
What are the verses of the anthem?
We'll sing a song, a soldier's song
With cheering, rousing chorus
As round our blazing fires we throng
The starry heavens o'er us
Impatient for the coming fight
And as we wait the morning's light
Here in the silence of the night
We'll chant a soldier's song
In valley green, or towering crag
Our fathers fought before us
And conquered 'neath the same old flag
That's proudly floating o'er us
We're children of a fighting race
That never yet has known disgrace
And as we march, the foe to face
We'll chant a soldier's song
Sons of the Gael! Men of the Pale!
The long-watched day is breaking
The serried ranks of Innisfail
Shall set the tyrant quaking
Our camp fires now are burning low
See in the east a silv'ry glow
Out yonder waits the Saxon foe
So chant a soldier's song
Note: the choral refrain is sung in between each verse in the full version.
What are the Irish lyrics to The Soldiers Song?
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna-scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh canaig' amhrán na bhFiann.
What are the verses of the anthem in Irish?
Seo dhíbh, a chairde, duan Ógláigh
Caithréimeach bríomhar ceolmhar
Ár dtinte cnámh go buacach táid
'S an spéir go mín réaltógach
Is fonnmhar faobhrach sinn chun gleo
'S go tiúnmhar glé roimh thíocht don ló
Fé chiúnas chaomh na hoíche ar seol
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
Cois bánta réidhe, ar ardaibh sléibhe
Ba bhuadhach ár sinsir romhainn
Ag lámhach go tréan fén sárbhrat séin
'Tá thuas sa ghaoth go seolta
Ba dhúchas riamh dár gcine cháidh
Gan iompáil siar ó imirt áir
'S ag siúl mar iad i gcoinne námhad
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann
A bhuíon nach fann d'fhuil Ghaeil is Gall
Sin breacadh lae na saoirse
Tá sceimhle 's scanradh i gcroíthe námhad
Roimh ranna laochra ár dtíre
Ár dtinte is tréith gan spréach anois
Sin luisne ghlé sa spéir anoir
'S an bíobha i raon na bpiléar agaibh
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann
Note: the choral refrain is sung in between each verse in the full version.