Amhrán na bhFiann
Amhrán na bhFiann (A Soldier’s Song) was written by Peadar Kearney and adopted as the National Anthem of Ireland in 1926 replacing the unofficial anthem “God Save Ireland”. Peadar Kearney was an uncle to the famous Irish writer Brendan Behan and also penned famous Irish songs Down by the Glenside and Erin Go Bragh.
Sinne Fianna Fáil
A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn,
buion dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Fé mhóid bheith saor.
Sean tír ár sinsir feasta
Ní fhagfar fé’n tiorán ná fé’n tráil
Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil
Le guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléar
Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
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 ancients ireland
shall shelter the despot or the slave;
Tonight we man the Bearna Baoghal
In Erin’s cause
come woe or weal;
Mid cannon’s roar and rifle’s peal
We’ll chant a soldier’s song.