Óró sé do bheatha abhaile facts for kids

Óró, sé do bheatha abhaile or Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile ([ˈoːɾˠoː ʃeː d̪ˠə ˈvʲahə ˈwalʲə]) is a traditional Irish song, that came to be known as a rebel song in the early 20th century. Óró is a cheer, while sé do bheatha 'bhaile means "welcome home".

History

Like many folk songs, the origins of this song are obscure, but several versions of the tune and chorus can be identified.

In 1884 Francis Hogan of Brenormore, near Carrick-on-Suir, then "well over seventy years of age", reported that "this song used to be played at the 'Hauling Home,’ or the bringing home of a wife". The "hauling home" was a ceremony that took place a month after a wedding when a bride was brought to live in her new husband's home. This version consists only of the chorus.

Énrí Ó Muirġeasa also records a similar refrain in 1915 from the Barony of Farney, "but the song to which it belonged was lost before my time". There is no mention of "hauling home" and the line that P. W. Joyce gives as thá tu maith le rátha (Irish for ''tis you are happy with prosperity [in store for you]') is instead Tá tú amuiġ le ráiṫċe (Irish for 'You’ve been gone three months').

This song has also been associated with the Jacobite cause as the traditional version mentions Séarlas Óg (Irish for 'Young Charles'), referring to Bonnie Prince Charlie and dating the song to the third Jacobite rising of 1745–1746.

The tune appears as number 1425 in George Petrie's The Complete Collection of Irish Music (1855) under the title Ó ro! 'sé do ḃeaṫa a ḃaile (modern script: Ó ro! 'sé do bheatha a bhaile) and is marked "Ancient clan march". It can also be found at number 983 (also marked "Ancient Clan March") and as a fragment at number 1056, titled "Welcome home Prince Charley".

In the early 20th century it received new verses by the nationalist poet Patrick Pearse and was often sung by members of the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rising. It was also sung as a fast march during the Irish War of Independence.

Since 1916 it has also been known under various other titles, notably Dord na bhFiann (Irish for 'Call of the Fighters') or An Dord Féinne. The latter title is associated with Pearse in particular as Irish Volunteers used to chant the song during British bombardments of Dublin. This version features the pirate or "Great Sea Warrior" (Grace O'Malley), a formidable power on the west coast of Ireland in the late 16th century. Pearse shows his knowledge of the Jacobite version in the way he adapts it to the new independence cause. He emphasises the Irishness of the fighters by substituting native Grace for foreign Prince Charlie and changing Béidh siad leis-sean Franncaigh is Spáinnigh (Irish for 'They’ll be with him, French and Spanish') to Gaeil féin 's ní Francaigh ná Spáinnigh (Irish for 'Gaels they, and neither French nor Spaniard').

Recordings

The song was recorded by The Dubliners on their 1987 album 25 Years Celebration and by Sinéad O'Connor on her 2003 album She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Shall Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty.

Lyrics

Original version

Jacobite Version

Patrick Pearse Version

See also

• List of Irish ballads
• Drunken Sailor