Óró sé do bheatha abhaile facts for kids

Óró, sé do bheatha abhaile or Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile is a very old Irish song. It became famous as a rebel song in the early 1900s. The word Óró is like a cheer. The phrase sé do bheatha 'bhaile means "welcome home."

History of the Song

Like many folk songs, the exact start of this song is a bit of a mystery. But we know about different versions of its tune and words.

Early Uses

In 1884, an old man named Francis Hogan said this song was played at a "Hauling Home." This was a special party about a month after a wedding. It was when the bride moved into her new husband's house. This early version only had the chorus.

Another person, Énrí Ó Muirġeasa, found a similar part of the song in 1915. He said the rest of the song was already lost by his time.

The Jacobite Connection

This song is also linked to the Jacobite cause. This was a movement to bring back the Stuart royal family to the throne. The old version of the song mentions Error: {{language with name/for}}: missing English translation (help), which means "Young Charles." This refers to Bonnie Prince Charlie. He was a prince who tried to become king in 1745-1746.

Music Collections

The song's tune appears in a book called The Complete Collection of Irish Music from 1855. It was collected by George Petrie. In the book, it's called Ó ro! 'sé do ḃeaṫa a ḃaile. It was described as an "Ancient clan march." Another part of the tune was called "Welcome home Prince Charley."

A Rebel Song

In the early 1900s, the song got new words from a poet named Patrick Pearse. He was an important leader in Ireland's fight for independence. Members of the Irish Volunteers often sang it during the Easter Rising in 1916. It was also sung as a fast march during the Irish War of Independence.

After 1916, the song was also known by other names. These include Error: {{language with name/for}}: missing English translation (help) (Call of the Fighters) or An Dord Féinne. Patrick Pearse is especially linked to the name An Dord Féinne. Irish Volunteers would chant this song when the British attacked Dublin.

Pearse changed the song to fit the new fight for independence. He changed "Young Charles" to Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Mhaol). She was a famous Irish pirate and leader from the 1500s. He also changed the line about French and Spanish allies. Instead, he said the fighters were "Gaels" (Irish people) and "neither French nor Spaniard." This showed the Irish people were fighting for themselves.

Recordings

Many artists have recorded this song. The Dubliners included it on their 1987 album 25 Years Celebration. Sinéad O'Connor also recorded it for her 2003 album She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Shall Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty.

Lyrics

Here are some of the different versions of the song's lyrics.

Original Version

This is a very old version of the song.

Jacobite Version

This version is about Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Patrick Pearse Version

This version was written by Patrick Pearse for the Irish independence movement.

See also

• List of Irish ballads
• Drunken Sailor