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Samhradh Samhradh is an Irish Gaelic Bealtaine/Beltane song that's around 300-400 years old - the exact date and origin is vague, but Edward Bunting—a 19th century music collector—said this song “is probably extremely ancient” and was sung in the Dublin area around 1633. I learnt this version from singer/songwriter Peia. There are many different versions and variations, but they all share a similar theme of welcoming in the summer. This one is just a simple acapella.
It is said that young women and young men sang it on May-eve while they carried around the ‘May Baby' or 'May Doll’ (Bábóg na Bealtaine) from house to house. It is a celebration of nature and the blossoming fertile summer, of carrying summer branches, usually the May tree or hawthorn, though the blackthorn and holly, hazel and rowan tree are mentioned across the different versions of the song.
Beltane is the Gaelic spring festival traditionally celebrated on 1st May. For me it is a time of hope and resiliance, as we celebrate the joy and coming abundance of summer. That’s what this song means to me, it’s full of joy and relief that spring is fully here, of optimism and full-heartedness, and a blessing to the land.
Any Irish Gaelic speakers, please excuse any pronunciation errors - get in touch and correct me! I’m still learning and I'm always happy to discuss lineage and linguistics.
🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱
Samhradh Samhradh is an Irish Gaelic Bealtaine/Beltane song that's around 300-400 years old - the exact date and origin is vague, but Edward Bunting—a 19th century music collector—said this song “is probably extremely ancient” and was sung in the Dublin area around 1633. I learnt this version from singer/songwriter Peia. There are many different versions and variations, but they all share a similar theme of welcoming in the summer. This one is just a simple acapella.
It is said that young women and young men sang it on May-eve while they carried around the ‘May Baby' or 'May Doll’ (Bábóg na Bealtaine) from house to house. It is a celebration of nature and the blossoming fertile summer, of carrying summer branches, usually the May tree or hawthorn, though the blackthorn and holly, hazel and rowan tree are mentioned across the different versions of the song.
Beltane is the Gaelic spring festival traditionally celebrated on 1st May. For me it is a time of hope and resiliance, as we celebrate the joy and coming abundance of summer. That’s what this song means to me, it’s full of joy and relief that spring is fully here, of optimism and full-heartedness, and a blessing to the land.
Any Irish Gaelic speakers, please excuse any pronunciation errors - get in touch and correct me! I’m still learning and I'm always happy to discuss lineage and linguistics.
🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱
