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.
Cease Fire
Alan Stivell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nílim in ifreann is ní bheidh ar neamh
Ní thiocfaidh mé slán go deo na ndeor
Ach síocháin a bheith ann a deir an mórshlua
Paidir na marbh, caoineadh na mbeo
Paidir na marbh, caoineadh na mbeo
Ní thiocfaimid slán go deo na ndeor
Feicim mo shíolra sínte ar chré
'S a dtiocfaidh ón iasacht géag le géag
Dorchadas fairsing gan coinnle na naomh
Ach síocháin a bheith ann a deir an mórshlua
The lyrics of Alan Stivell's song "Cease Fire" suggest the idea of peace in the midst of a chaotic world. The first two lines of the chorus "Nílim in ifreann is ní bheidh ar neamh" emphasize the state of the singer's present moment, they are not in hell nor will they be in heaven. This line creates ambiguity of the singer's current state and suggests that what matters most is the present moment, where they can strive for peace. The second two lines of the chorus "Ní thiocfaidh mé slán go deo na ndeor / Ach síocháin a bheith ann a deir an mórshlua" mean "I will never come to the end of tears / But the great host says there will be peace."
The opening lines of the verse "Paidir na marbh, caoineadh na mbeo" mean "Prayer for the dead, lament for the living." The line reflects on the idea that it is only in death that one can find full peace. The following lines "Feicim mo shíolra sínte ar chré / 'S a dtiocfaidh ón iasacht géag le géag / Dorchadas fairsing gan coinnle na naomh / Ach síocháin a bheith ann a deir an mórshlua" mean "I see my lineage lying on the earth / And it will come from the borrowed branch to the branch / A wide darkness without the candles of the holy / But the great host says there will be peace."
Overall, the song captures a sense of longing for peace in a world of chaos and desperation. The singer recognizes the inevitability of tears and death, but ultimately seeks a sense of calm and tranquility.
Line by Line Meaning
Nílim in ifreann is ní bheidh ar neamh
I am not in hell and I will not be in heaven
Ní thiocfaidh mé slán go deo na ndeor
I will never come back safely from the tears
Ach síocháin a bheith ann a deir an mórshlua
But the great multitude say there must be peace
Paidir na marbh, caoineadh na mbeo
The prayer of the dead, the lament of the living
Feicim mo shíolra sínte ar chré
I see my roots stretched out on earth
'S a dtiocfaidh ón iasacht géag le géag
And they will grow from branch to branch in the future
Dorchadas fairsing gan coinnle na naomh
There is a wide darkness without the candles of the saints
Ach síocháin a bheith ann a deir an mórshlua
But the great multitude say there must be peace
Contributed by Nathaniel T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@almino1894
Nilim, in ifreann / is ni bheidh ar neamh
Ni thocfaidh me s-an / go deo na ndeor
Ach siochain a Bheith ann / adeir an mor-shlua
Paidir na marbh / caoineadh na mbeo
Ni thiocfaimid slan / go deo na ndeor
Ach siochain a Breith ann / adeir an mor-shlua
Feicim mo shiolra / sinte ar chre
'S a dtiocfaidh o'n iasacht / geag le gheag
Dorchadas fairsing / gan coinnle na naomh
Ach sochain a Bheith ann / adeir an mor-shlua
Nous ne sommes pas en enfer, ni ne sommes pas au ciel...
Prière des morts, lamentation des vivants.
Nous ne serons tranquille, jamais plus les larmes,
Que lorsque la paix sera Chant de noce de l'île de Lewis
@bretonnedu2957
Je ne connaissais pas tout,,,,,, c'est superbe!!!!!!!!!!!! J'aime trop!!!!
@bacicinvatteneaca
The traditional reed in the background is called Maids of Mount Cisco
@marcomariani84
Stivell, le plus grand...
@itommy60
Lovely, thanks for uploading; great music and nice graphics; The reel played in the background and during interludes in Cease Fire is called "Sporting Paddy" and the flute player makes a fine job of it
@itommy60
oh, and the flute player is Ronan Browne, I think. Met him a few years back when he was playing at the Cobblestone in Smithfield
@ToraTakahiro
itommy60 Hello, thank you for these valuable informations. Ronan Browne? I think I recognize this name... Didn't he play for Rob Roy film? I believe he is more famous as a piper, am I right? Again, thank you for your comment:)
@bacicinvatteneaca
It's actually Maids of Mount Cisco
@rakaniac
Ou quand Alan Stivell invente le reel chanté. ici il est accompagné par des "vrais" musiciens irlandais et cela s'entend.
@lyselampe
Does anyone know the name of the traditional reel? ^^
Love this song!!
@bacicinvatteneaca
Looking for it as well