Amhrán na bhFiann facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Amhrán na bhFiann
The Soldier's Song

English lyrics sheet, c.1916
National anthem of	Ireland
Also known as	"A Soldier's Song" (original)
Lyrics	Peadar Kearney, 1909 (English version) Liam Ó Rinn, 1923 (Irish version)
Music	Patrick Heeney, 1910
Adopted	12 July 1926

"Amhrán na bhFiann", which means "The Soldier's Song" in English, is Ireland's national anthem. The music was composed by Peadar Kearney and Patrick Heeney. Peadar Kearney also wrote the first English words. The Irish version, which is usually heard today, was translated by Liam Ó Rinn. The song has three verses, but only the chorus is used as the national anthem.

When the President of Ireland arrives at an official event, a special tune called the Presidential Salute is played. This tune uses the first four bars of the national anthem, followed by the last five bars.

History of Ireland's National Anthem

How the Song Began

"A Soldier's Song" was created in 1907. Peadar Kearney wrote the words, and he and Patrick Heeney composed the music. The very first handwritten draft of the song was sold for a lot of money in 2006.

The words were first printed in a newspaper called Irish Freedom in 1912. This song became a popular marching song for the Irish Volunteers. Rebels sang it in the General Post Office during the Easter Rising in 1916. Its popularity grew among rebels held in a camp after the Rising. It was also popular with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the Irish War of Independence (1919–21). After the Irish Free State was formed in 1922, many IRA members joined the National Army. "The Soldier's Song" remained a favorite Army tune.

Becoming the Official Anthem

The new Irish Free State did not have an official anthem at first. Leaders wanted to avoid arguments after the Irish Civil War. Some people, who had supported being part of the British Empire, still thought "God Save the King" was the anthem.

On April 28, 1924, W. T. Cosgrave, who was like the prime minister, did not want to replace "The Soldier's Song." This song was already being used unofficially. Some officials thought the song's words and music were not quite right. For a couple of years, another song, "Let Erin Remember," was sometimes used for events abroad, like the 1924 Olympics.

People worried that not having an official anthem allowed old arguments to continue. "The Soldier's Song" was widely sung by people who wanted an independent Ireland. So, on July 12, 1926, the government decided to make it the official National Anthem. This decision was not announced publicly right away.

In 1928, the Army band started playing only the chorus of the song as the anthem. They did this because the full song was too long for people to sing along. Also in 1928, a judge named Hugh Kennedy said that an official musical version was needed for use in other countries. This official version, which only included the chorus, was created in 1929.

The national radio station, Radio Éireann, played the anthem when it closed down each day, starting in 1926. Cinemas and theaters also played it from 1932 to 1972. Peadar Kearney, who wrote the words, received money from publishers for the song. He and Patrick Heeney's brother later took legal action to get more royalties from people performing the anthem. In 1934, the government bought the copyright to the song for £1,200. This meant the government owned the rights to the words and music. Copyright laws changed, so the government had to buy the copyright again in 1965 for £2,500. The copyright officially ended in December 2012, 70 years after Kearney's death.

Some people in the government debated the song's quality. One politician, Frank MacDermot, called it "a jaunty little piece of vulgarity." But Thomas F. O'Higgins replied that national anthems become popular because people adopt them. He said "The Soldier's Song" became the anthem because it was "on the lips of the people."

The anthem is suggested, but not required, to be taught in national schools as part of learning about citizenship.

The Governor-General's Role

The Governor-General of the Irish Free State was the King's representative. Some people thought "God Save The King" should be played for him. In 1929, Governor-General James McNeill refused to go to an event if "God Save The King" was going to be played instead of "The Soldier's Song." Later, in 1932, Éamon de Valera became the leader. He wanted to get rid of the Governor-General's job. He even stopped the Army band from playing "The Soldier's Song" when McNeill was present.

The Irish Version of the Anthem

The Irish translation was written by Liam Ó Rinn (1886–1943). He later became the main translator for the Irish parliament. His translation was first printed in a newspaper in April 1923. It might have been written as early as 1917. Ó Rinn preferred to use everyday Irish, not older, more formal Irish.

From the 1930s, the Gaelic Athletic Association encouraged singing the anthem in Irish at sports matches. The Irish words were printed in programs, and singers led the crowd using the public address system.

The English version is almost never heard now. It was sung in Canada during a visit by President Mary McAleese in 1998. It was also sung at the 2004 Ryder Cup in the United States. This caused many people in Ireland to complain.

The Irish version is not a word-for-word translation of the English. For example, "Sinne Fianna Fáil" does not directly mean "Soldiers are we." Fianna Fáil means "Soldiers of Destiny" or "Warriors of Ireland." It comes from old Irish words for a group of warriors and a stone that represents Ireland. This name was also used for the Irish Volunteers and later for the Irish Army. On April 2, 1926, "Fianna Fáil" was chosen as the name for Éamon de Valera's new political party. Since the Irish version of the anthem became popular, some people have disliked that the party's name is in the song. Sometimes, people sing "Sinne laochra fáil" ("We are heroes of Fál") instead. However, the government has said that "Sinne Fianna Fáil" is appropriate and does not have political meanings, as the translation was made before the party was founded.

It is not entirely clear if the official anthem is just the music or if it includes the words too. However, when the government bought the copyright in 1934, it specifically mentioned buying the copyright for the "words and music." Both the English and Irish words appear on official government websites.

No Irish version has been officially adopted by the government, and the government does not own the copyright to any Irish version. Ó Rinn, who translated it, never received royalties like Kearney did. In 1958, a government memo discussed five different Irish translations. It suggested that if Ó Rinn's version were made official, its spelling and grammar should be updated. It also suggested changing "Fianna Fáil" to "laochra Fáil" to avoid political connections.

Discussions About the Anthem

Some people have criticized the lyrics of "Amhrán na bhFiann." They say the words might be old-fashioned, too focused on war, or anti-British. Others disagree, saying these are common features of national anthems.

Calls to change the anthem happen often. Politicians have asked about it in the Irish parliament many times over the years. In 1995, during talks for peace in Northern Ireland, a report suggested that the government could ask for new anthems for sports or other non-official events. These new songs would not be "too militaristic." In 2011, during the presidential election, two candidates were open to changing the anthem.

Other Songs for Ireland

Ulster unionists see "Amhrán na bhFiann" as the anthem only for the Republic of Ireland. They do not see it as a symbol for the whole island of Ireland. For international rugby games played by the all-island Ireland team, a special song called "Ireland's Call" is used. "Amhrán na bhFiann" is only used within the Republic of Ireland. "Ireland's Call" is also used by all-island teams in some other sports.

How the Anthem is Played

"Amhrán na bhFiann" is usually sung or played in a march style. However, different speeds can be used. Sometimes, both the verse and chorus are played. Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), Ireland's national TV and radio company, played a slow orchestral version when it ended its broadcasts from 1962 onwards. This version was arranged by Brian Boydell. At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, when Michelle Smith won three gold medals in swimming, the verse and chorus were played at a fast, lively speed.

Lyrics of the Anthem

The lyrics are like those of an Irish rebel song. They encourage Irish people to join the fight to end control by the English ("Saxon foe") in Ireland ("Inisfail"). The song mentions earlier Irish rebellions. It also talks about support from Irish Americans ("from a land beyond the wave").

Chorus

The chorus is the official National Anthem. There are small differences in published versions. The following words are from the Department of Foreign Affairs' official music sheet.

Verses

The national anthem uses only the chorus of the song. The original song has three verses, which are sung to a slightly different tune. The words of the verses are below:

See also

In Spanish: Himno nacional de Irlanda para niños