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Songs of Brighid
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This is a collection of songs, chants, and poems that are inspired by Brighid. Wherever possible, I have included a recording of the song and a description of its origins.
Brighid of the Threefold Flame
I call your name, I call your name
Brighid of the Threefold Flame
I call your name, I call your name
Flame of the Forge, Flame of Poetry, Flame of Healing
Burn in my heart
Flame of the Forge, Flame of Poetry, Flame of Healing
Burn in my heart
NOTES
This is the first song that I ever sang for Brighid.
It can start out slowly and build energy as the chant rises. Or, it can be sung at an even pace for meditation on the Threefold Flame of Brighid.
Click here for a WAV file of the song. I don't have a microphone or an MP3 encoder right now, so I may upload an improved quality sound file once I do!
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English Translation
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Gabhaim molta Bríde
Ionmhain í le hÉirinn
Ionmhain le gach tír í
Molaimis go léir í
Lóchrann geal na Laighneach
A’ soilsiú feadh na tíre
Cean ar óghaibh Éireann
Ceann na mban ar míne
Tig an geimhreadh dian dubh
A’ gearradh lena ghéire
Ach ar Lá ‘le Bríde
Gar dúinn earrach Éireann
Brighid of the sunrise
Rising in the morning
Rising with the Springtime
Greening all the land
See you in the soft cloud
See you in the raindrop
See you in the winds of change
Blowing through the land
You the red eared white cow
Nourishing the people
Nourish now the hunger
Souls longing in our land
Bird that is unfolding
Now the time's upon us
Only have we eyes to see
Your Epiphany
Gabhaim molta Bride
Ionmhain i le hEirinn
Ionmhain le gach tir i
Molaimis go leir i
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I praise Bridget
Beloved of Ireland
Beloved of all lands
Let us all praise her
The bright torch of Leinster
Shining throughout the land
The pride of all Irish women
The pride of women for gentleness
Comes the hard dark winter
Cutting with it’s severity
But on St. Bridget’s Day
The Irish spring is near to us
I praise Bridget
Beloved of Ireland
Beloved of all lands
Let us all praise her
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NOTES
You can't really appreciate it until you've heard it. The melody and vocals are otherworldly. :) You can purchase it on iTunes and elsehwere.
I found the English translation of the Irish portion of the lyrics at Clár Cinn le hÁine Cooke (Anne Cooke's Home Page). The Irish portion is actually a traditional Irish song praising St. Bridget.
A new group called Triniti released a cover of this song, and I LOVE it. :)
A Bhrid, ár gcroí, an-gheal Bheanríon;
lo de thoil é beannachta sinn.
Is sinn bhur leanaí, is tu ár mamaí;
bí ag isteacht dúinn mar sin.
Is tu an coire, anois inár doire*;
a Bhean-Feasa tinfím orainn.
A thine ghrá, a thine bheatha;
lo de thoil é ag teacht Bhrid dúinn!
O Bridget, our heart, o brightest Queen;
cast your blessings unto us.
We are your children, you are our mother;
so hearken unto us.
You are the cauldron, now in our grove*;
Wise Woman inspire us.
O fire of love, o fire of life;
please Bridget, come to us!
A Bhrid, ár gcroí, an-gheal Bheanríon;
lo de thoil é beannachta sinn.
Is sinn bhur leanaí, is tu ár mamaí;
bí ag isteacht dúinn mar sin.
Is tu an coire, anois inár doire*;
a Bhean-Feasa tinfím orainn.
A thine ghrá, a thine bheatha;
lo de thoil é ag teacht Bhrid dúinn!
NOTES
The verse in English is a translation of the verses in Irish.
Personal Note from Isaac Bonewits (via neopagan.net): As a Bard, I honor Bridget (or Brid) as my special Matron Goddess. This was one of the first bilingual songs I wrote, and shows my childlike Irish vocabulary. "Mamaí," for example, is closer to "mommy" than to "mother". However, for a Goddess of Mothers (as well as fire/sun/inspiration, etc.), the phrasing seems appropriate.
* alternate Irish wording for ritual use: "fane" = circle, "seomra" = room -- neither of which rhymes with "coire" (which is an Irish pun on the words for "sheep" and "cauldron," both of which are appropriate for Bride), but then classical Old Irish songs didn't rhyme either!
Holy water, sacred flame
Brighid, we invoke your name
Bless my hands, my head, my heart
Source of healing, song, and art
Blessed Brighid burning bright
Lead us from the darkest night
Triple Goddess of new light
Shine your flame on us tonight
Perpetual flame of love and light
Wise guardian of the hearth
You bless our homes and our lives
Keeper of the healing light
Shine your light on us tonight
Shine on us in love and light
Sacred muse of poetry
Inspire creativity
Sing to us your sacred song
Shine your spark on us tonight
Fiery spark of love and light
Shine your flame on us tonight
Perpetual flame of love and light
All in a day
The winter melts away
Frozen ground
Begins to thaw
Far and away
It’s the way we play in Tír na nÓg
All in a song
Brigit comes along
Holding a light
She teaches us to sing
Singing along
We banish winter and welcome spring
Light a candle bright
At the end of night there’ll come a day
Winter is done
We’re turning to the sun
Fire in the sky
Ignites the day
Fiery star
Reminds us who we are lest we drift away
Imbolc greets blue moon
And they play a tune to light the way
All in a day
The winter melts away
Frozen ground
Begins to thaw
Far and away
It’s the way we play in Tír na nÓg
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This Shrine of Brighid is tended by Treesong.
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