Uillean those pipes they are that cry out
my bàirdic heart for me,
and delve historic my blood-deep memories,
as I in mystic interplay
listen to Chieftains’ haunting harmonies.
Fingers singing his strings to my soul,
the cruitire in his playing carries me
to Hill of Tara,
there to hear it plucked primal
and give me eyes to sweep
the ancient landscape round.
Vibrant Fiddle with ringing Tiompan joins
Pennywhistle trilling bright
to dance me joyous
‘long the edge of kills
with rowans lined,
and into greening valleys hazed
with morning’s lifting mists.
Bodhran beating time
and the lilting vocals baritone,
strikes my rhythm Gaelic in these bones
and attunes my lyric heart
to chop of Loch nEathach’s waves
‘gainst clinker hulls and pulling oars.
Cor Anglais and wooden flute caress
my ears with deep and woodland sounds,
then sweeps me the fertile meadows ‘or
with tunes as old as runes once carved
on Celtic Cross where faith abides.
And all this sweet melancholy rises
strong in Irish melodies renewed,
as the new-played ancient music
carries me ancestral
to Armagh.
Author notes
Uillean pipes:Irish 'elbow' Bagpipes
The Chieftains: Irish music group
Cruitire: Irish Harp player
Tiompan: struck dulcimer
Bodhran: goat or sheepskin drum
Lilting: a vocal form that helps set rhythm
Cor Anglais: large oboe
Tara's Hill: ancient royal seat of Ireland
Loch nEathach/Lough Neagh, largest lake in Ireland. Traditional working boats on Lough Neagh include wide-beamed 16–21ft clinker-built, sprit-rigged working boats and smaller flat-bottomed "cots" and "flats". The shallow lake can become very rough.
A contest entry
- Irish Poems by JustWhoIAm.
600 points, ended April 17, 2008, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
-
Absolutely Promising ,Beautiful
My what skills you do behold. I'm fully aware of the skills of God. My time will surely come.God has not yet fulfilled a certain longing...Maybe it is His will.I await His PROMISES! -
Unfortunately have never been to Ireland so cant enjoy the full beauty of this write... there are though some lovely and vivid images.. can hear the oars cutting through the water
Cheers and good luck
-
Smiles..this takes me back there, for a month ago I stood on the Falls Road and walked where my ancestors walked, believed and listened to all they had heard, born a rebel and will die one. You've made me homesick again for turf fires and potato bread and a good Irish song. slan agus gra,
Chez
-
such sweet melody u paint...nothing bets the sound of the pipes and harp..ahhh peacefulness to the soul. i would not change a word in this poem...it sets a rhythm and tone in the mind as it is. really enjoyed the read thank you for sharing
-
No revision needed
You brought me the sweet lilt, the many tones
that kiss the flame of the heart. You know your own heart, your description of melody and knowledge are truly remarkable....Poet , yes like sunsets across the ocean.
-
Begorrah! Tis a celtic twilight here I'd be thinking, to be sure, and all, and all. Unfortunately Ireland's not like that any more.
-
This is a great poem. I really enjoyed reading it. I loved all of it, especially stanza 2
"Fingers singing his strings to my soul,
the cruitire in his playing carries me
to Hill of Tara -
there to hear it plucked primal,
and give me eyes to sweep
the ancient landscape round."
I love the wording you used and the way it flows.
-
I love this one, the music of Ireland. Not that I am Irish,'cause my ancestors were Scotsmen, but the Gaelic and Celtic influences were felt in both. Uillean pipe music is great listening in our house. I think you have written about an Ireland I do not know but written it well, so I shall learn a bit more.
-
trully amazing
this is one of the best poems i've read here. really outstanding work. love the irish theme, love the bagpipes, love the structure of the poem! perhanps u cud add some bagpipe music to this...
-
-
Cerrebrus
Thanks for reading Uillean.
Allow the music to build in your own head; write your own score to the rhythm of the poem.
The Chieftans have an official website.
Ta,
JG
-
-
Outstanding
Merry meet,
What a beautiful poem,now I'm going to have to get my Celtic music out and listen to them. This really makes me long to see Ireland and it's mists. It has great internal rhythm that prevents reading it outloud
(as I do all I read) from getting that sing/songy rhythm that is prevalent in bad poetry.
Amythest
-
Evocative
Never been to Ireland and more's the pity, since I did live in England for three years. Fantastic flow and rhythm. Like the rhyme too. I can almost hear those Irish bagpipes.
-
-
isabelwk
Issy,
I didn't know there were any rhymes.
I've never been to Ireland either.
JG
-
-
Hey there
While the ends of the lines don't rhyme, (as much,) there is quite a lot of mid-line rhyme and alliteration.
-
-
-
You are a man of many talents that cover a wide field. A truly wonderful poem. I love the music you have described,but its hard to get on CD around here. Well done again. Cheers, Bob.
-
A lovely poem, with some great lines. I enjoyed reading this, but there's one thing I hope you don't mind me pointing out: "Sean Nós" literally means "Old Style" in the Irish language and is used when referring to a type of unaccompanied singing found in the Gaeltacht, or Irish-speaking parts of Ireland. It is mostly to be found in Connemara and the phrase is never used in connection with instrumental music, which is what the Chieftains are noted for. They play mainly traditional dance music, not Sean Nós.
Cheers,
Bill
-
-
Bad Bill
Bill,
Changes made to the title, and a few lines.
Ta
JG
-
-
Wonderful, I know how you feel -- had the pleasure of seeing the Chieftains once in Burlington, Vt.
Adding your comment:
1 - 18 of 18
