![]() Is there room in my heart, or is every chamber full? City of David This lullaby is my Christmas Card Carol for 2021. ![]() Words by Sally DeFord Music by Katherine Wright. There’s a New Star Shining TonightĪs I thought about the individuals involved with that holy night, I wondered… for whom was that star shining? And for whom does it shine today? Child in a Manger Arrangement for four-hand piano accompaniment by Sally DeFord. Original Christmas carol: Words by Edmund H. Highly recommended for a fresh take on otherwise dreaded Christmas music (and I have no relationship with anyone involved).“Night of Nights” is my Christmas carol for 2022. The following is a translation of a few of the verses though it gives no idea of the rhythm or rhyme of the original: And there is a cute original track in the form of a letter to Santa Claus from a kid who signs off, at the end of the song, as Joeín Sheáin Ó Fátharta (composed, according to the sleeve notes, by rural activist Pádraic an Táilliúra Ó Conghaile – Patrick son of the Tailor Connolly). One wouldn’t have thunk it possible but Jingle Bells (Cloigíní – Little Bells) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rudolph na Sróine Deirge – Rudolph with the Red Nose) sound fresh and neat in Róisín’s lovely-accented dialect with bell-clear Connemara Irish. Some of the carols already had Irish versions otherwise they have been translated by Róisín’s mother, Treasa Ní Cheannabháin. There are 15 vocal tracks (by the exotically-named, with an Egyptian father and Connemara mother, and beautifully-voiced Róisín) and five instrumental tracks (by the piper Ronan Browne). I recommend this CD of carols/songs in Irish by Róisín Elsafty and Ronan Browne. Gather round, fill up a glass and celebrate Christmas as never before. Of the tunes you might not be familiar with Dia do Bheatha a Naí Anocht is a stunning piece of music a tender melody that is arguably the high point of a wonderful collection of songs. ![]() The whistles and flutes of Ronan Browne are ably assisted by the piano of Tony Maher throughout and Roisin Elsafty’s vocal is as good as anyone from the Emerald Isle. Don’t expect any Kings College-esque belting out of the lyrics though – these again are realised with splendid calm and delicate beauty that will delight those sat around the Christmas Dinner table. Cloigíní (Jingle Bells) and Rudolf na Sróine Deirge (Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer) in particular have a beautiful, lullaby quality to them that all children will love to nod along to.įor the more discerning of us that like a carol or two there’s medleys featuring Hark The Herald Angels Sing and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen amongst others. If you’re wanting something to rock out to during your festive celebrations then you may be disappointed, but if you’re looking for a record to share with your family whilst snuggled up with a hot chocolate and the fairy lights on then look no further. Some you’ll recognise, some you’ll hear for the first time, but for the most part you’ll enjoy every minute. Supported by longstanding publishers of Irish language media, Cló Iar-Chonnacht, they’ve put together a gargantuan 20 tracks mixing traditional festive tunes from Ireland along with a glut of old favourites, lovingly translated into their native language. ![]() ![]() I’m going to get this out there straight away – I love Christmas! A barrel load of festive tunes is never going to fail to float my boat, but in this day and age of endless Christmas records is there anything out there that’s still fresh and interesting? Well, in the case of Irish language duo Roisin Elsafty and Ronan Browne, teamed up with Tony Maher, the answer is a resounding yes!
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