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.
You Know It
Alan Stivell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lezel
'El-se ar vuhez
N'eo ket nemet un hunvre
We are in another world,
Another world.
Are you aware?
Hey! Some fields are still out there
They can always blossom again
It's no time to dispair
I'm here, I'm here.
Te 'welo
'Hed an de', kavet 'vi laouen endro
C'hoarzhiñ a ri 'n ul larout d'an holl
'Hed o erv.
Before the foremost daysy,
You'll know it
You will have found the lady
Who's waiting.
Araok kogid-an-hañv
Me 'lar deoc'h,
Enor ha joa 'vo ennoc'h
Echu 'r c'hañv.
Me 'lar dit-te
Te c'hellfe
Lezel ane'i
'Else, 'velse ar vuhez
N'eo ket nemet dre hunvre
We dreamt of another world
Another world.
Anao', anaout, anao 'rit an traoù
You know, you know it, you know
A day, a day is another day
Un de' goude, goude noz 'vo de',
Adarre.
Hag endro dit karantez,
Emañ ar merc'hed aze,
'Maint aze
'N ho kortoz, korf hag ene,
'N holl ane'.
The lyrics of Alan Stivell's song You Know It (Anao'rit) depict a world where hope still exists. The first verse conveys the idea that there is another world beyond our current reality. It encourages the listener to be hopeful, acknowledging that there are still fields that can blossom again. The singer assures that he is present and that it's not time to despair. In the second verse, he talks about finding the lady who's waiting, and you will know it. It's a message of hope, asking to hold on to love and not lose hope.
The chorus repeats the title, which translates to "You know it." This line reinforces the idea that there is a better world out there, and we already know it. The last verse signifies that love awaits us, and we need to listen to our heart and soul. It concludes with the statement that all this is just a day, and another day will follow.
Alan Stivell is a Breton folk-rock musician who plays the Celtic harp, flute, and bagpipes. He sings in French, Breton, and English, and his music incorporates Celtic, folk, and rock elements. His music often promotes Breton culture and language. You Know It (Anao'rit) is from his 1991 album "Again," which is a more electronic and experimental work compared to his previous album's acoustic and traditional approach. The song became popular in France and Brittany and is one of Alan Stivell's best-known songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Te 'c'hellfe
We are in another world,
Lezel
Another world.
'El-se ar vuhez
Are you aware?
N'eo ket nemet un hunvre
Hope is not in vain
We are in another world,
Hey! Some fields are still out there
Another world.
They can always blossom again
Are you aware?
It's no time to despair
Hope is not in vain
I'm here, I'm here.
Te 'welo
Before the foremost daisy,
'Hed an de', kavet 'vi laouen endro
You'll know it
C'hoarzhiñ a ri 'n ul larout d'an holl
You will have found the lady
'Hed o erv.
Who's waiting.
Araok kogid-an-hañv
Me 'lar deoc'h,
Enor ha joa 'vo ennoc'h
Enor ha joa 'vo ennoc'h
Echu 'r c'hañv.
Echu 'r c'hañv.
Me 'lar dit-te
We dreamt of another world
Te c'hellfe
Another world.
Lezel ane'i
Are you aware?
'Else, 'velse ar vuhez
Hope is not in vain
N'eo ket nemet dre hunvre
Hey! Some fields are still out there
You know, you know it, you know
They can always blossom again
A day, a day is another day
It's no time to despair
Un de' goude, goude noz 'vo de',
I'm here, I'm here.
Adarre.
Adarre.
Hag endro dit karantez,
And turn towards love,
Emañ ar merc'hed aze,
The girls are here,
'Maint aze
Right here
'N ho kortoz, korf hag ene,
Waiting for you, body and soul,
'N holl ane'.
Wholeheartedly.
Contributed by Allison I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PSEUDOSTOUSPRIS
J'ai rarement entendu une aussi belle mélodie, chantée avec cette voix chaudement expressive qui est celle d'Alan Stivell... Je la retrouve ici, beaucoup d'années après l'avoir entendue pour la première fois et c'est un véritable bonheur...
@cn206
Wonderful. Makes my soul take flight. One of my all-time favourite pieces of music.
@arnaudhely5296
Nostalgie 🙏... Je me vois dans les bras de mes parents dans les années 70. Comme une berceuse ❤. Je n' oublirait jamais ce morceau 🙏🙏🙏
@bretonnedu2957
Cette voix entendue toute petite, pensées pour mon papa!
Adoriñ a ran Alan Stivell, dreist!
@MrRoberttheprune
Played Stivell since 1974 brilliant!