A campaign is urging then public in Ireland to learn the words to the national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann.
The ‘Learn our Anthem‘ campaign is launching with a competition for primary school children.
Amhrán na bhFiann was composed as an Irish rebel song between 1907 and 1910, with English lyrics by Peader Kearney and music by his childhood friend Patrick Heeney.
Today, Kearney’s English lyrics are unused – and it wasn’t until Liam Ó Rinn translated the song into Irish that it was officially adopted as Ireland’s national anthem, in 1926.
One of the main drivers behind the initiative is Abair Linn who believe the time is at hand to make a move towards a greater collective acceptance and understanding of the national anthem:
‘It has become well known in Irish popular culture that many of us don’t know our national anthem ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’.
The new book ‘Our National Anthem’ is a keepsake children’s book that aims to change this through stories, pictures and the phonetic and Irish translations.
Making it a fun way for children and families to learn it together. ‘Our National Anthem’ is a little gem of a book that will teach not just primary school children but also their parents, many of whom may not have been born in Ireland, the Irish national anthem ‘Amhrán na bhFiann‘.
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
Atá faoi gheall ag Eirinn,
Buíonn dár slua, thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor, seantír ár sinsear feasta
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill;
Anocht a théam sa Bhearna Baoil
Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil,
le gunnaí scréach, trí lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo dhíbh canáigh, Amhrán na bhFiann.
Soldiers are we,
Whose lives are pledged to Ireland,
Some have come from a land beyond the wave,
Sworn to be free, no more our ancient sireland
Shall shelter the despot or the slave;
Tonight we man the Bearna Baoil
In Erin’s cause come woe or weal,
‘Mid cannon’s roar and rifle’s peal,
We’ll chant a soldier’s song.
