Songs of Aran

Various Artists FW04002 / FM 4002

This 1957 field recording, Songs of Aran, documents some of the vocal traditions of the Aran Islands, located off of the west coast of Ireland. Sung for the most part in Irish Gaelic, these songs bring to life the barren and sparsely populated islands of Inishmore, Inisheer, and Inishmaan. Included are lullabies, songs to accompany spinning, and two Irish "Caoines," traditional expressions of grief characterized by wailing or crying. Extensive and affectionate liner notes paint a portrait of the island' cultural history, the people, and the music. Among the performers are Margaret Dirrane, one of the lead characters in the noted 1934 film Man of Aran, and her son Sean.
Country(s) Ireland; United Kingdom
Keyword(s) Courtship; Cries; Dance; Drinking songs; Folksong revival; Grief; Livestock; Love songs; Lullabies; Maritime; Marriage; Migration; Music--British Isles; Music--Ireland; Work songs
Instrument(s) Vocals

Year of Recording 1957
Record Label Folkways Records
Source Archive Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Credits Recorded by Sidney Robertson Cowell ; Produced by Sidney Robertson Cowell ; Design by Ronald Clyne

Download Liner Notes

101	Lilting. Beídh Ríl Againn, The Ten-Penny Bit, Smash the Windows	Seán Dirrane and Pat Wallace	3:24
102	Máire Stánton - Mary Stanton	Seán Dirrane	3:18
103	Lullaby: Thobhá Mo Leanbh (Hush - O, My Child) / Seó-Thín Seó / Seó-Thín Seó, 'S Tú Mo Leanbh (Hush-A-Bye, You're My Little One) (medley)	Seán Dirrane	2:06
104	Amhrán Na Trágha Báine - Song of Trabane	Margaret Dirrane	2:55
105	Twas Early, Early in the Spring	Margaret Dirrane	1:58
106	Óró Mhíle Gràdh - Oro, My Thousand Treasures	Margaret Dirrane	1:36
107	An Cailín Fearamhail Fíonn - The Fair Brave Girl	Miles Joyce	1:46
108	Sagart Na Cuile Báine - The Priest of Coolbawn	Miles Joyce	2:49
109	A Sheáin a Mhic Mo Chomharsan - O John, Son of My Neighbor	Miles Joyce	3:10
201	An Droighnean Donn - The Blackthorn	Seán Dirrane	2:21
202	Má Théann Tú'un a Aonaigh - If You Go to the Fair	Seán Dirrane	3:20
203	Peigí Misteál - Peggy Mitchell	Seán Dirrane	3:35
204	Bean A'Leanna - The Ale Woman	Seán Dirrane	3:32
205	Amhrán An Téi - Song of the Tea	Margaret Dirrane	1:40
206	An Túirnín Lín - The Flax Spinning Wheel	Seán Dirrane	1:14
207	Milking Croon: An Tsin, an Tsin	Margaret Dirrane	1:04
208	Do-Een Do A-Diddle Am - (Vocables)	Margaret Dirrane	0:41
209	Lullaby: Thobha Mo Leanbh / Seo-Thin Seo / 'S Tu Mo Leanbh (medley)	Kate Faherty, Margaret Dirrane, and Peg Flaherty	2:57
210	Caoineadh na Marbh - Caoine for the Dead	Aran female singer	2:53
211	Caoineadh na Marbh - Caoine for the Dead	Bridget Mullin	2:10

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