Gallowglass Warriors - Song in Medieval Irish (Classical Gaelic) | The Skaldic Bard

Here's another song written, arranged and performed by yours truly, this time in Classical Gaelic/Early Modern Irish/Late Middle Irish. I'm using quite a conservative pronunciation where the dental fricatives (the "th" sound) are still preserved, reflecting an earlier period of Classical Gaelic history to fit the emergence of the Gallowglass warrior class.

I don't think there's a historical soldier I like more than the Gallowglasses (so I was dying to make a song like this about them). They were an elite warrior class descending from hybrid Norse-Celtic clans in Scotland. The Vikings who settled in these settlements married with the local Scottish population and assimilated into Celtic society, adopting the language and customs of the native population. They became popular mercenaries among Irish chieftains and so ended up settling in Ireland, whereupon the stronger Irishmen of the time who proved themselves worthy also joined the Gallowglass clans.

The Gallowglasses were a true warrior class and lived and breathed warfare. They were known for their very large battleaxes and claymores (the word "claymore" coming from the Gaelic for "big sword") as well as their imposing size and ferocity. They fought many wars through Europe as mercenary, and won several victories over the Norman invaders of Ireland.

As an Irishman by blood, I also very much enjoy writing in the language of my ancestors. A bit of trivia is that I am actually a descendant of the Irish bardic Ó Dálaigh clan, so I hope some day I might be worthy of being counted among the bards of the family.

Cheers and enjoy!

My intention is exclusively to teach history and languages through song. I do not condone, endorse or seek to glorify violence.

I do not own any of the artworks in this video - they have been selected for educational purposes. All credit goes to the original artists and I would be happy to remove them if so required

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Lyrics:

Is fada do bhí cogadh
For a long time, there has been war

idir Ghaoidhealaibh agus ghallaibh.
between Gaels and outlanders.

Lorgaíd, chuaine derbráthar, gradam
They, a band of brothers, seek glory

Ar an ngort bhfionnghlan-sa in Éirinn
On this bright, fair plain in Ireland

Féachfaid d’fhaobhraibh a n-arm dte.
They look to their fierce weapons’ sharp edges

Cia díobh chlaoidhfeas a chéile?
Which of them will overcome the other?

A Ghallóglach! Sduagh na n-insí!
O, Gallowglass! The champion of the Isles!

Lingid i lámhaibh ríg
They charge on behalf of kings

chosmhaila frinn caoir thintrí ón spéir.
like a thunderbolt from the sky.

Bíodh eagla oraibh, a namhát!
May fear be upon you, enemies!

Is Gallóglaigh sinn,
We are Gallowglasses

an sluagh fraochdha Gaoidheal.
the fierce band of Gaels.

Fir Éireann a’s Alban
Men of Ireland and Scotland

d’aonrún éachtach cogaidh!
with one glorious purpose: to fight!

Biaidh cladh do chnámhaibh
There will be a wall of the bones

námhat nach sáraigh aon duine.
of our enemies so big it can’t be climbed.

Is Gallóglaigh sinn
We are the Gallowglasses,

an bhró gan eagla ar bith!
the fearless phalanx!

Is lór a gcruas i gcrú chlaidhmhte móra
They are solid in a fortress of claymores

Madh fada madh gearr a ré
Whether their lives be long or short

Ní fhuilngidh dúthaigh na nGaoidheal
They won’t allow the Gaels’ land

fá riar ainbhfine eachtronn.
to be under the rule of foreign foes.

Ag so a-nois an bás rena mbéal!
Look how death stands before them!

Beag an sgéal, ní misde leo!
It is no matter, they do not care!

A Ghallóglach! Scairt do shluagh-ghairm!
O, Gallowglass! Shout your war-cry!

A chroidhe calma! A intinn chomh ghlic!
His heart, brave! His mind, so cunning!

Sléacht i gcoinne armshluaigh Éireann!
Kneel before the armed soldiers of Ireland!

Is Gallóglaigh sinn,
We are Gallowglasses

an sluagh fraochdha Gaoidheal.
the fierce band of Gaels.

Fir Éireann a’s Alban
Men of Ireland and Scotland

d’aonrún éachtach cogaidh!
with one glorious purpose: to fight!

Biaidh cladh do chnámhaibh
There will be a wall of the bones

námhat nach sáraigh aon duine.
of our enemies so big it can’t be climbed.

Is Gallóglaigh sinn
We are the Gallowglasses,

an bhró gan eagla ar bith!
the fearless phalanx!