Beannacht Leat, A Mhuire
SSA choral/piano score
PEL2054-Choir and Organ
A WORK FOR SSA CHOIR AND ORGAN
'Beannacht Leat A Muire' (Praise to You, O Mary) is a lilting hymn to the Virgin Mary (Mhuire) sung in Irish to a traditional folk melody. The Soprano 1 melody line floats above a background setting of treble voices, resulting in a new Celtic Christmas favorite. Created by Paul Halley for Chorus Angelicus on its tour to Ireland in 2004.
The score includes phonetic underlay to aid singers in pronunciation of the Irish.
Video
Notes
Included on the recording "What Child Is This?" with Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, directed by Paul Halley (PEL1005)
Texts
Beannacht Leat, A Mhuire
Words and Music: Traditional Irish, arranged by Paul Halley (1952 - )
English translation by Finola Nic Eoin & Seosamh Mac Eoin
Beannacht leat, a Mhuire:
Beannacht leat a Chríost,
Go gcumhdaigh sibh ár nanama,
Go dtagaimí aris:
Beannacht leat, a thig Dé
Agus beannacht Dé ‘nár dtimpeall,
Nár scara uianne grásta Dé
Go bfillimíd chun a theampail.
Beannaigh sinn, a Mhuire
Beannaigh sinn a Chríost,
Go gcuire sibh bhúr naspailse,
Ar gcosaint ar an tslí;
Iarraim ort, a Mhaigh dean,
Agus guidhim Aoinmhic na hoighe,
Ná réabtar cáirdeas eadrainn,
Go nairimid libh go deo.
Translation:
Praise to you, O Mary;
Praise to you, O Christ;
Keep our souls from harm
Until we come to you again;
Praise to you, O House of God,
And may God’s blessing surround us;
May God’s grace never leave us
Till we return to His temple.
Bless us, O Mary,
Bless us, O Christ;
Send your apostles
To protect us on our way;
I beseech you, O Virgin,
And I pray to the only Son of the Maiden,
That our friendship never be sundered
And that we dwell with you forever.
Reviews
"Listeners will find many familiar favorites, including Mr. Halley’s arrangements of American and English traditionals. But they will also delight in the soaring voices on the Irish song 'Beannacht Leat'." - Michael O’Loughlin, The Living Church
"Paul Halley’s fresh but tasteful arrangements invigorate the latest offering...the sweet, transparent sound of Chorus Angelicus (a children’s choir) imparting something inimitable and irreplaceable: innocent wonder at the season. Strongly recommended." – Lawrence Schenbeck, The Choral Journal
