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Silent Irish Night (Oíche Chiúin)


by

Rebsie

 Genre: Holiday

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Description
Last week I got together with some local musicians I met via MySpace and they taught me to sing Silent Night in Irish Gaelic, which we then went out and performed in a folk club. I don't speak any Irish ... I'm only familiar with Scottish Gaelic which is different ... so I apologise to any native speakers if it makes your toes curl. It's just me on this recording (x7).

For Epileptic Gibbon who appreciates Christmas carols a lot more than I do.
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Lyrics
Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé
Cách 'na suan, dís araon
Dís is dílse 'faire le spéire
Naíon beag gnaoigheal ceannanntais caomh
Críost 'na chodhladh go séimh
Críost 'na chodhladh go séimh

Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé
Aoirí ar dtús chuala 'na scéal
Allelúia aingeal ag glaoch
Cantan suairc I ngar is I gcéin
Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin
Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin
Song Stats
Hits: 5244
Comments: 76
Fans: 39
Plays: 855
Downloads: 257
Votes: 25
Uploaded: Dec 19, 2006 - 08:13:10 PM
Last Updated: Dec 19, 2006 - 08:13:10 PM Last Played: Nov 06, 2009 - 07:28:45 PM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Creative Commons

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Comments
jiguma said 1055 days ago (December 19th, 2006)
Gasp!
Some really beautiful harmonies in there Rebsie - I mentioned somewhere else that christmas carols don't usually do much for me, but your version - most notably the wonderful harmonies and Irish gaelic - is one of the best I've heard. This is going straight onto my christmas CD.
Happy Christmas to you and Epi, and all the best for 2007.
Neil
Check out my latest song called Under My Skin
Rebsie said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)

Most Christmas carols don't do a lot for me either ... and my singing on this owes more to the faeries in the hollow hills than the usual Christmas sentiments ... but I'm glad the end result is enjoyable! Many thanks.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
buckhorn said 1055 days ago (December 19th, 2006)
Nice
Beautiful singing, and beautiful sound. Regards and Merry Christmas!
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Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Thanks Buckhorn! I hope you have a good one too.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Morning Light said 1055 days ago (December 19th, 2006)
OH :)
So Beautiful, your voice!!!! The NightBird~
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Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Thank you very much, Nightbird!
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
apb said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
Críost mhic dé ...
.. pure awesomeness. (searches for firmware update on
tonsils). They say "gay"lic we say "Garlic" . I mean
"Ga"lic .. are there more differences? ;o)

Have a good one you two and cats.
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Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Ta very much! It's Irish "gay-lic" and Scottish "gallic" and after that I get confused.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Cori Ander said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
Seriously Rebsie
Of all the Silent Nights ... well I don't wanna say anything about all the other wonderful ones here, there are so many beautiful ... but, really ... seriously Rebsie ... this one goes without comparison .. one of the nicest and most beautiful posts ever actually if my ears were to judge ...

Merry Christmas Rebsie, I wish you a deeply blessed 2007!
Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Wow ... well there are indeed a lot of other wonderful versions posted at the moment, which did make me wonder if I should post mine at all. I'm very glad you enjoyed it so much! In fact I'm quite bowled over by your words.

Many blessings to you too and thanks for your wonderful comment.

Rebsie
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
drakonis said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
pure simple strong
I love the strong solid harmonies, and simple take (no weird chords or embellishments)... just a raw strong rendition, showing off your great control of pitch! (a compliment Long overdue, I think, smirk) Beautifully sung! I think I'll set this by our Yule log! Happy holidays.
ttfn,
Drakonis
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Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Many thanks, Eduard. Remarkably I did manage to sing in tune on this occasion, probably because I had a drone on the tonic during recording (and I mean that as a musical term, even if it sounds like a euphemism for getting drunk).

Hope you have a groovy Yule.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
thetiler said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
sweet
Sounds almost like a swedish sound. Like that alps feel though Irish.
Very sweet voicing!
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Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

I'd never thought of it as Swedish sounding! Though Swedish is a very beautiful language to listen to, so that's something it does have in common with Gaelic. Many thanks!
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
MissChaos said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
You'd make Enya jealous
Rebsie, this is amazing. That's all I can say. I'm dumbfounded. Like the voices of angels...
Check out my latest song called Mama Cries - Album Version (MJRF)
Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Thank you, thank you! What a lovely compliment.

I notice you use a few ethereal vocals in your own music sometimes, so if you ever want me to contribute anything give me a shout.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
MissChaos said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
!
oh, for heaven's sake, YES!

Merry Christmas, Rebsie!

---
. . : : From near to far, from here to there, funny things are everywhere : : . . — Dr. Suess
Check out my latest song called Mama Cries - Album Version (MJRF)
Vogonity said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
Layers
You did a very nice job layering this song. All of the tracks fit perfectly together. I really enjoyed it.
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Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Thanks! Very glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to do, a bit like making a lasagne.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
rtcooper said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
SPEECHLESS
My Great, Great Uncle wrote the original.



There are only Two Versions that I Revere.

THIS is One.



Hugh Elliott Mohr, per the auspices of my friend

rt cooper
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rtcooper said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
Can I Vote AGAIN, Please Sir?
Cannot stop listening; to treating myself in sound and thought.



Gratefully Yours,



Cooper
Check out my latest song called Intimate Anyway
Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Well, I'm pretty speechless too. Not much I can say except thank you!

Warmest regards
Rebsie
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
bug67 said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
Wow, Rebsie!
So sweet! I love that you sang this in Gaelic. And, your harmonies are absolutely angelic. Thank you.

Merry Christmas!
Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

You have a great Christmas too, bug! I really appreciate you coming along to listen.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Ed Hannifin said 1054 days ago (December 20th, 2006)
This is the tightest singing...
...and overdubbing, and harmony work, that I've ever heard you do...

It came out quite beautifully. It being in Gaelic helps the beauty of the pure song come through....

Lovely job...

Ed
Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Many thanks Ed! Needless to say I had to use a clicktrack to get it that tight ... and I'm somewhat clicktrack-averse ... so I'm glad it was worth it.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
j2morrow said 1054 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
Oh, yeah
This has such a clean, wonderful sound. The Galic lyrics makes this sound so fresh and new. Great vocal job.
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Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Thank you, I'm very pleased you like it.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Feter said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
WOW !!
can music be this charming ?????
wonderfull harmony !!
Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

I always appreciate your support, Feter, thank you!
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Komrade K said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
Beautiful (if so very brief)
You've left me wanting more, more, more...!!

Still think that there's something south African about those gorgeous harmonies - if you'd told me you'd sung it in Zwahili I would have believed you!

I'm a bit of a sentimentalist at heart so I quite Chrimble carols - and of course, carol means circle dance and some of them quite dancey, God Rest Ye Merry for example. It's quite possible that the words have been added to old dance tunes in some cases.

KK

PS - that photo reminds me of the 'Foarrrrrrest' at twilight - orrrrrr!
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Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

* * This is my 1000th comment on MacJams * *

(I really should get out more.)

I'm most gratified indeed that you like it. I didn't know that about carol meaning circle dance ... shows how much I know. I'd be interested to find some old tunes that have been adapted into 'Christmas' carols. We must do The Bitter Withy for next year too!

Arrr, that may look like the Fooorrr'st in the pic but actually I took it during a magical twilight walk near Selkirk in Scotland. There's no Photoshopping, the sky really was that colour ... and you have to imagine the mournful coo of curlews wheeling away over the lake.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
dwwave said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
Very Charming and Warm
Rebsie,

Very Interesting and sounds like a choir !, You have a gift of voice
language interpretation and this is a Charming Song for the Holiday
Season regardless of your Belief System , Religious affiliation or
if you say a Occasional Prayer. I don't think there is a "Right" Answer
with Religion otherwise Wars would not be Raging around the Globe.
Getting Back to the Positive, Thanks for Sharing This Wonderful
Irish Gaelic Version of Silent Night. Godspeed..
dwwave
Check out my latest song called One Half Person
Rebsie said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)

Yes I certainly hope this song transcends any specific religious message and becomes meaningful to each listener on a personal level depending on their own spiritual inclinations (or not) ... 'cause that's the important thing as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for your support David, it's appreciated.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
dreadmon said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
Beautiful gift
Rebs, it's a treat sharing this musical journey with you. You have a gift for creating music of the Earth and its People. I don't speak Irish Gaelic either (nor Scottish Gaelic) but the unhesitant and vibrant way that you sing this tune makes me feel like I've connected with those who do. Plus, it's always refreshing to hear a different version of a familiar song. Another one for the ever-growing MJ Holiday disc!
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Rebsie said 1052 days ago (December 22nd, 2006)

Cheers Bing! My music certainly is of the Earth ... but I guess yours is too, which is why you notice it. Hope you had a lovely stonking great Solstice Fire in your backyard ... wish I was there to see it!

Rebsie
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Cameron said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
lovely!
This "a capella" version is so sweet in its simplicity, and the Gaelic adds a wonderful flavor -- I don't understand the words, but the language has a certain "universality" which transcends all. (Cori picked up on this, too, in his comment.)

May your holidays be full of laughter and light.
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Rebsie said 1052 days ago (December 22nd, 2006)

Yours too, Cameron. You always write me such lovely comments and I really appreciate them!
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
composerclark said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
Transcendent
I'm so glad you posted this. This is transcendent, beautiful singing, always perfectly in tune, with wonderful harmony. I could listen to this over and over. In fact, I have! I'm with Cori (Johannes) on this one. Thank you so much.
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Rebsie said 1052 days ago (December 22nd, 2006)

Thank YOU! I'm extremely pleased you're finding it worthy of multiple listens ... a compliment indeed.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
ka-klick said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
Glad I had on email alert
I know I've been scarce here lately, but I had to come see what you were up to. Outstanding Rebsie. Love it, thanks for sharing it with us.
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

You're very welcome, thank you for listening.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Leon said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
I've forgotten to speak Gaelic...
Wow.. now I miss my native Ireland.... :D
Sounded Greek, er Gaelic, to me..but musically very soulful... I'm having the dilemma if I should include this is my all-Filipino Christmas album.. LOL.

Kidding aside. Enjoyed this tremendously..and it's gonna play on my iTunes for the coming week. Thanks for sharing the joy of your music!
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

Mmm, there's an idea, I could find the Greek lyrics for next year. Cheers!
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
kristyjo said 1053 days ago (December 21st, 2006)
Just beautiful!
One of the nice things about listening to a familiar piece of music in a different language is that I can enjoy both the meaning of the words AND the sound of the words. I love the forward feel of the Gaelic pronunciation. Your intonation is also just awesome! DL & F!
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

Thank you kindly, Kristyjo. Actually I do really enjoy listening to songs in languages I don't understand for that very reason ... it really helps me to focus on what the music itself is saying, and some languages are just beautiful to listen to in their own right.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Peter Greenstone said 1052 days ago (December 22nd, 2006)
beautiful
So lovely to hear a whole choir or Rebsies. Wonderfull harmonies sung like an angel. Such a nice clean recording too. Excellent, Rebs. Merry Christmas.
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

And to you too Peter. Many thanks for your nice comment.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Magritte said 1052 days ago (December 22nd, 2006)
Calming and charming.
I much prefer this to the overblown orchestrations you hear a lot of on the radio and so forth. Beautiful performance and production.
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

Thanks Magritte! I've been experimenting with very sparse song structures in recent months and they seem to have an emotional impact which is lacking in some of the fuller arrangements ... it's something I'll definitely be exploring further.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
aclarke said 1052 days ago (December 22nd, 2006)
Rendered silent
and virtually speechless. Brilliant and beautiful. This is what we refer to as "a keeper".
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

Aww, thanks Adam! I'm delighted you like it.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Epileptic Gibbon said 1052 days ago (December 22nd, 2006)
Love...
this carol, this version, and my wife. :)

So glad to see that this is doing so well. It richly deserves all the praise... it's a corkin' piece. Well done you!
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

Well thank you for doing all my Christmas shopping for me. It seems like a fair swap.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
thoddi said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)
Merry Christmas
This language sounds ancient and mystic. It's very suited for this Christmas hymn. And your voice is as well:) Beautiful!
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

Thanks Thoddi! I hope you have a good one too.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
core said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)
Stille Nacht
So funny to hear this... I'm sure Franz Gruber and Josef Mohr would have liked this version.
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Rebsie said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)

I did learn Stille Nacht at school many years ago but I've forgotten most of the words now.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Scott Carmichael said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)
Simply Beautiful
Some thing about the Gaelic pulls at me on a deep level... that, coupled with the childhood memories of anticipation for the season, give this wonderful rendition a kind of double punch...

a seriously deep alure

Merry Christmas and thanx for that
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jgurner said 1051 days ago (December 23rd, 2006)
Wonderful....
Such beautifully delicate harmonies.

And I actualy heard a version of this today on the radio. I don't know Gaelic either (Irish or Scottish. My ancestors would be so ashamed....) but you sounded as on with your version as they did.

Just beautiful, Rebsie. Hope you and Epi have a wonderful holiday season.
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nysynthman said 1050 days ago (December 24th, 2006)
Heavenly

I do believe in Angels I do I do I do. Harmony is excellent.
Rebsie said 1050 days ago (December 24th, 2006)

Me too! Thanks very much. :)
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
caroline said 1050 days ago (December 24th, 2006)
lovely
you went out and you did what???!!!! big loves xoxox
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Rebsie said 1050 days ago (December 24th, 2006)

Well, the music seems to be really taking off for me these days ... so I HAVE to deal with my fear of playing live, even if only in small steps for now.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Mcboy said 1050 days ago (December 24th, 2006)
well i happen to dig
cristmas carols and this one surely does it for me........beautiful rendition........merry christmas to u and yours.......
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OneManBand said 1050 days ago (December 24th, 2006)
jewish
im jewish so naturally i love christmas songs, great voice, great song. thanx
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OneManBand said 1050 days ago (December 24th, 2006)
again
came back again for a listen. such pure voices. amazing
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baki said 1028 days ago (January 15th, 2007)
i don't understand it
... but it pats unidentified sports inside of me ... beautiful harmonies! thanks!
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baki said 1028 days ago (January 15th, 2007)
i meant
... "pets" - obviously :)))
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Enrique Gil said 952 days ago (April 1st, 2007)
wow!
I happened to be surfing macjams tonight and fell inlove with this interpretetion of Holy Night....its so cool to hear it sang in so many different languages.....and the voices! like angels singing...thank you, thank you.....
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Rebsie said 610 days ago (March 8th, 2008)

You're very welcome, thanks for listening!
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
said 615 days ago (March 3rd, 2008)
this voice is pure and
angelic...fantastic vox and great hardware...
Rebsie said 610 days ago (March 8th, 2008)

Thanks Arend. I think I'm just lucky that my voice sounds good in multiple layers. :)
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Sunbeam said 424 days ago (September 10th, 2008)
hej
hej pappa trevligt att jag stötte på dig.Jag har tyvär inte lysnat på låten men jag gisar att låten är bra.Nu har jag spridigt genom komen tarer att du är min pappa.Om du om du kommer få masa komen tarer om att jag har stavat fel på engelska i så fall skyll inte på mig. hej hej hej hej hej hej hej hej hej hej hej hej hej då.
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LunaTrick said 241 days ago (March 12th, 2009)
Absolutely...
Beautiful!!!!


Let's do more!!!
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Rebsie said 240 days ago (March 13th, 2009)
YEAH!
Looking forward to it very much.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
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Name: Rebsie Fairholm
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NEW ALBUM "SEVEN STAR GREEN" NOW AVAILABLE! I'm a singer and musician (12-string guitar, celtic harp, etc) rooted in British traditional music and veering off into the psychedelic, dark, experimental and unusual. I'm very blessed to have... [see more]

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