Song of Amergin - Epic Celtic Music of Ireland

Music and vocals by Farya Faraji. The Epic Celtic series is a project where the sounds of the current, living traditions of the Celtic peoples are used as a framing device to explore themes relating to the mythology, folklore and history of the Celts. These are not historical recreations nor "epic music" in the cinematic soundtrack sense, but a project of ethnomusicological research and performance that showcases the epic narrative repertoire of the Celts through their living musical traditions. This poem comes down to us from the Irish mythological cycle. Amergin, a bard of the Milesians, invokes the spirit of Ireland using this invocation to part the storm summoned by their enemies, that keeps from reaching the shores of Ireland safely. The invocation works, and they land safely. The origins of the poem are unknown, we only now that may be the oldest extant piece of poetry from Ireland that has come down to us, and it is believed to be dated from around the early Middle-Ages, perhaps more generously, going back to Late Antiquity. The pronunciation is not reconstructed Old Irish but instead mimics the readings provided by modern Irish speakers of today. The instrumentation consists of Irish bagpipes, a flute, the Irish harp, and the bodhran drum. Lyrics in Old Irish: Am gaeth i m-muir, Am tond trethan, Am fuaim mara, Am dam secht ndirend, Am séig i n-aill, Am dér gréne, Am cain lubai, Am torc ar gail, Am he i l-lind, Am loch i m-maig, Am brí a ndai, Am bri danae, Am bri i fodb fras feochtu, Am dé delbas do chind codnu, Coiche nod gleith clochur slébe? Cia on co tagair aesa éscai? Cia du i l-laig fuiniud gréne? English translation: I am the wind on the sea; I am the wave of the sea; I am the bull of seven battles; I am the eagle on the rock I am a flash from the sun; I am the most beautiful of plants; I am a strong wild boar; I am a salmon in the water; I am a lake in the plain; I am the word of knowledge; I am the head of the spear in battle; I am the god that puts fire in the head; Who spreads light in the gathering on the hills? Who can tell the ages of the moon? Who can tell the place where the sun rests?