Stivell was born in the Auvergnat town of Riom, France, and specialises in traditional Breton and Celtic music. He also plays instruments such as the bombarde, biniou, flute, etc.
A defining album is "Renaissance of the Celtic Harp" released in 1971 (and including the legendary Dan Ar Bras on guitar). The force of his live performances can be experienced through the album "A l'Olympia" released in 1972.
His official Web site is www.alan-stivell.com.
Brian Boru
Alan Stivell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Siochain in gcuige Uladh agus I mbaile 'cliath
Aontacht an teaghlaigh, aontacht na dtuath
Aontacht an domhain is nag Ceiltteach
Diouzh nerzh ar c'hadou da nerzh an ehan
Diouzh 'bed doueek bennozh ar c'haroud
O neart an chata go neart na siochana
Diouzh nerzh ar c'hadou da nerzh an ehan
Diouzh 'bed doueek bennozh ar c'haroud
O neart an chata go neart na siochana
On brith dhiaga beannacht an ghra
Ta muid 'nos ha haimsire
Go hairid an ghrian
Agus thogh muid ait bhog cois abhann
Mort Brian Boru, vers l'an mil en Irlande
Brillent encore cheveux roux, harpe d'or dans la lande
L'étendard et l'épée debout plantés en terre
Et la paix revenue en Ulster
Mort Brian Boru rend la vie à l'Irlande
Et aux arbres de la paix allumez les guirlandes
Dans les yeux des enfants, oublié cet enfer
Enfin venue la paix en Ulster
Des nerfs de la guerre à l'air de la paix si un dieu enfin peut bénir l'amour
Douzh nerzh ar c'hadoù da nerzh an dihan ha bennozh doueek ar c-haroud
Des nerfs de la guerre à l'air de la paix si un dieu enfin peut bénir l'amour
Douzh nerzh ar c'hadoù da nerzh an dihan ha bennozh doueek ar c-haroud
Quand on sera au bord de la rivière
Comme l'Eire libre et fière
Mon âme, mon amour, au delà de la mer
Marv Brian Boru 'rein buhez 'n Iwerzhon
Dihan e Bro-Ulad ha ba ker Dulenn
Undedan tiegezhn unded an dud-man
Uned ar Gelted hag an douar
Diouzh nerzh ar c'hadou da nerzh an ehan
Diouzh 'bed doueek bennozh ar c'haroud
O neart an chata go neart na siochana
On brith dhiaga beannacht an ghra
Diouzh nerzh ar c'hadou da nerzh an ehan
Diouzh 'bed doueek bennozh ar c'haroud
O neart an chata go neart na siochana
On brith dhiaga beannacht an ghra
Ta muid 'nos ha haimsire
Go hairid an ghrian
Agus thogh muid ait bhog cois abhann
The Gaelic lyrics of "Brian Boru" by Alan Stivell center around the historical figure of Brian Boru, who is said to have united Ireland in the 11th century. The song begins with "Maraiodh Brian Boru chun beatha nna heireann," which means "Brian Boru was killed to bring life to Ireland." The lyrics then describe the peace that has come over the regions of Ulster and Dublin since his death, as well as the unity that his legacy has brought to the country and the Celtic world.
The energetic melody is accompanied by traditional Celtic instruments, such as harps and flutes, and the chorus is repeatedly sung in both Gaelic and Breton. The lyrics emphasize the contrast between war and peace, and the idea that love and unity can triumph over conflict.
The song also touches on ideas of religion, with references to blessings from a god and the lighting of peace candles. Overall, the lyrics of "Brian Boru" celebrate the life and accomplishments of a legendary Irish king, as well as the enduring legacy of Celtic culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Maraiodh Brian Boru chun beatha nna heireann
Brian Boru died restoring life to Ireland
Siochain in gcuige Uladh agus I mbaile 'cliath
Peace has returned to Ulster and Dublin
Aontacht an teaghlaigh, aontacht na dtuath
Unity of family, unity of people
Aontacht an domhain is nag Ceiltteach
Unity of the world and of the Celts
Diouzh nerzh ar c'hadou da nerzh an ehan
From strife of battle to calm of peace
Diouzh 'bed doueek bennozh ar c'haroud
From the blessing of God to the fury of war
O neart an chata go neart na siochana
From the strength of the army to the strength of peace
On brith dhiaga beannacht an ghra
From the color of war to the blessing of love
Ta muid 'nos ha haimsire
We are now in a different time
Go hairid an ghrian
With the sun shining bright
Agus thogh muid ait bhog cois abhann
And we chose a soft place next to a river
Mort Brian Boru, vers l'an mil en Irlande
Death of Brian Boru, towards the year 1000 in Ireland
Brillent encore cheveux roux, harpe d'or dans la lande
Still shining with red hair, golden harp in the land
L'étendard et l'épée debout plantés en terre
The standard and the sword standing planted in the earth
Et la paix revenue en Ulster
And peace returned to Ulster
Mort Brian Boru rend la vie à l'Irlande
Death of Brian Boru restores life to Ireland
Et aux arbres de la paix allumez les guirlandes
And to the trees of peace, light the garlands
Dans les yeux des enfants, oublié cet enfer
In the eyes of children, forget this hell
Enfin venue la paix en Ulster
Finally, peace has come to Ulster
Des nerfs de la guerre à l'air de la paix si un dieu enfin peut bénir l'amour
From the nerves of war to the atmosphere of peace, if God can finally bless love
Quand on sera au bord de la rivière
When we will be at the edge of the river
Comme l'Eire libre et fière
Like a free and proud Eire
Mon âme, mon amour, au delà de la mer
My soul, my love, beyond the sea
Marv Brian Boru 'rein buhez 'n Iwerzhon
Brian Boru's death brings life back to Ireland
Dihan e Bro-Ulad ha ba ker Dulenn
To Ulster and down by the Shannon
Undedan tiegezhn unded an dud-man
Under the roof of their houses, the people's unity
Uned ar Gelted hag an douar
The unity of the Celts and the earth
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sanfranciscobay
Lyrics: I believe this is accurate. Can someone help post the correct lyrics if they are incorrect? I've included the English translation. Alan Stivell is from Brittany which is in North West France. In Brittany they speak Breton which is closely related to Welsh and Cornish.
Maraíodh Brian Boru chun beatha na hÉireann
Síochain in gCuige Uladh agus i mBaile 'Cliath
Aontacht an teaghlaigh, aontacht na dtuath
Aontacht an domhain is na gCeilteach
Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland
Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin
Family unity, tribal unity
Unity of the world and the Celts
Diouzh nerzh ar c'hadou da nerzh an ehan
Diouzh 'bed doueek bennozh ar c'haroud
O neart an chatha go neart na síochana
On bhith dhiaga beannacht an ghrá x 2
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
Tá muid 'nos na haimsire
Go h-airid an ghrían
Agus thogh muid áit bhóg cois ashann
We are like the weather
Especially the sun
And we choose a soft place beside the river
Marv Brian Boru 'reiñ buhez 'n Iwerzhon
Dihan e Bro-Ulad ha ba kêr Dulenn
Unded an tiegezh, unded an dud-mañ
Unded ar Gelted hag an douar
Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland
Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin
Family unity, tribal unity
Unity of the world and the Celts
Maraíodh Brian Boru chun beatha na hÉireann
Síochain in gCuige Uladh agus i mBaile 'Cliath
Aontacht an teaghlaigh, aontacht na dtuath
Aontacht an domhain is na gCeilteach
Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland
Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin
Family unity, tribal unity
Unity of the world and the Celts
Diouzh nerzh ar c'hadou da nerzh an ehan
Diouzh 'bed doueek bennozh ar c'haroud
O neart an chatha go neart na síochana
On bhith dhiaga beannacht an ghrá x 2
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
Tá muid 'nos na haimsire
Go h-airid an ghrían
Agus thogh muid áit bhóg cois ashann
We are like the weather
Especially the sun
And we choose a soft place beside the river
Marv Brian Boru 'reiñ buhez 'n Iwerzhon
Dihan e Bro-Ulad ha ba kêr Dulenn
Unded an tiegezh, unded an dud-mañ
Unded ar Gelted hag an douar
Brian Boru will die for the life of Ireland
Peace in the province of Ulster and in Dublin
Family unity, tribal unity
Unity of the world and the Celts
Diouzh nerzh ar c'hadou da nerzh an ehan
Diouzh 'bed doueek bennozh ar c'haroud
O neart an chatha go neart na síochana
On bhith dhiaga beannacht an ghrá
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
From plenty of battle to plenty of peace
From a world of diving blessings, love
@gerardmabden7618
Ces deux-là me font pleurer à chaque fois sur ce titre, tant par la forme que pour la force du texte. Alan a réussi à associer tradition et modernité. C'est un très grand artiste qui a su garder modestie et simplicité.
@christianebonnaves5783
Il faut oublier que Nolween Leroy sort de la star Act c est pas un scoop
@christianebonnaves5783
Elle n est pas la déesse sacré arrêtons
@dominiqueegli1716
lorsque dans les années 67 à 70 les autres écoutaient Johny et Cloclo, j'étais Fan des CREAM, de John Mayall et d'Alan Stivell, et ne m'en suis jamais départi...alors encore bravo pour cette fidélité à la terre et la culture de mes cousins germains bretons et pour les rendre si vivantes (autant que ce magnifique pays gaélique d'Irlande)… Breiz Eo Ma Bro
@sylviepavy9999
O combien j'aimerais être née en Bretagne si apaisante. 😘♥️ Bretonne de Coeur. Que des personnes qui ont de la culture.
@magevamay3699
Merci trugarez, nous avons été tellement méprisés que ça fait chaud au cœur de vous lire. Plérinaise.« aoudou an arvor ».
@reginethemeze5074
Chanson sublime un jour je rentrerai en Bretagne
@bretonnedu2957
SUBLIME!!!!!!!!!! Gourc'hemmenoù Alan Stivell!!!!!!!!!!!!! Vous avez ouvert la voie,,,, merci,,,, c'est splendide,,,, ça me transporte...... j'adore.......
@ddzz5540
Je ne me lasse pas de l'écouter je suis fan de Alan stivell bretonne de cœur j'aime tout en Bretagne même la météo on a la même chez nous suis du pas de Calais vive la Bretagne leur culture savoir-faire savoir vivre j'espère vivre la bas la fin de ma Vie j'ai bientôt 58 ans
Breizh ma broh 💕
@user-gg5fp4em3k
J'adore cette musiques 😂❤