Clannad, whose name is taken from an Clann as Dobhar meaning the family from Dore, was formed by the Brennan family in 1970. Máire, Ciarán and Pól Brennan joined uncles Noel and Pádraig Duggan and began performing in their father Leo's tavern. Máire's sister, Enya, joined the band in 1979 and left three years later to pursue a successful solo career. Máire has also enjoyed a simultaneous career as a solo singer, starting with her 1992 album entitled Máire, and recently altered the spelling of her name to Moya Brennan.
Harry's Game, the group's theme song for a television thriller, prominently featured in the film Patriot Games, was also used in a commercial for Volkswagen in 1992, and won Clannad newfound popularity in the United States. Another hit was the 1985 song In a Lifetime with Bono of U2. Their song, I Will Find You, is part of the soundtrack for the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans.
The mega-selling album Lore (1996) also gave some thought to the Native American Indians. On Trail Of Tears Noel Duggan imagined how it felt to be exiled from your ancestral land. He was also thinking about these people and their connection with the Irish. How for instance, these distant American cousins had sent money to Ireland during the potato famine of the Nineteenth Century.
Their Grammy in 1999, (their third nomination) was in recognition for the Landmarks (1998) record, which was once again sited in the heartland of Donegal, shaped by the mountains, the glens and the sea-lashed shores of Gweedore. In Of This Land Moya sings about Ireland, of its past and of its future. The track Fadó translates as "Long Ago", which once again demonstrates the influence of old Celtic history on Clannad's music.
In 2003, Clannad released the best of album, In A Lifetime, which is one of their biggest selling albums to date.
Clannad have gone from strength to strength, and from their early days have created a massive fan base. The youngest of the siblings, Moya's (Máire's) sister and goddaughter is the musician Brídín Brennan.
In 2008, Clannad again began touring, beginning with a UK tour in March. Clannad's Noel Duggan in March 2008 released the band's official biography, 'Moments in a Lifetime', which includes many unseen photographs, and the band's latest (15th) compilation 'Celtic Themes' was released a few days later.
In June 2009, Clannad was nominated for an IMA Award in the category Best Revival Act.
Their album Nádúr (their first new album since the release of Landmarks in 1997) was released worldwide in September 2013.
In 2019, Clannad embarked on their In a Lifetime farewell tour, but it was postponed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new compilation album entitled, In a Lifetime (which included two new tracks), was released.
Discography
* 1972 — The Pretty Maid (Clannad)
* 1974 — Clannad 2
* 1976 — Dúlamán
* 1978 — Clannad in Concert [live]
* 1979 — Ring Of Gold [live, unofficial bootleg]
* 1980 — Crann Úll
* 1982 — Fuaim
* 1983 — Magical Ring
* 1984 — Legend [soundtrack]
* 1985 — Macalla
* 1987 — Sirius
* 1987 — The Collection [collection]
* 1988 — Atlantic Realm [soundtrack]
* 1989 — Pastpresent [collection]
* 1989 — The Angel and the Soldier Boy [soundtrack]
* 1992 — Anam
* 1993 — Banba
* 1995 — Lore
* 1995 — Themes [collection]
* 1997 — Landmarks
* 1997 — Rogha: The Best of Clannad [collection]
* 1998 — An Diolaim [collection]
* 2003 — The Best of Clannad: In A Lifetime [collection]
* 2005 — Clannad - Live In Concert, 1996 [live]
* Nádúr (2013)
Official website: www.clannad.ie
Northern Skyline: www.clannad.org.uk
Herne
Clannad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Night and day
I am the hunter
The hunter
Twenty years
I've waited here
I am the hunter
The lyrics to Clannad's song "Herne" seem to be a reflection on an individual's personal journey of finding their way, both literally and figuratively. The opening lines of "I find my way, night and day" suggest an individual who is always on the move, seeking out new experiences, and navigating the world around them. This is emphasized further by the repetition of "I am the hunter, the hunter," a phrase that evokes the idea of someone who is constantly pursuing something, whether it be personal fulfillment, love, or something else entirely.
The second stanza of the song, "Twenty years I've waited here, I am the hunter, the hunter," adds another layer to the interpretation of the lyrics. It's possible to read this as a continuation of the idea that the individual is always seeking something, but it also suggests a degree of patience and dedication - in this case, waiting for the right opportunity, rather than simply always being on the move.
Line by Line Meaning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL HUGH BRENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Torrance
The most magical track on the album
Gilbeau 52
I love this. My favorite from Robin of Sherwood.
Taylor Ahern
This tune is so haunting, yet so beautifully haunting, so atmospherically haunting, the type that is as nostalgically reflective as it is smoothly, of the moment meditative, while steeped in so many mystically inspired overtones as it is, thus giving rise to this otherworldly poignancy, this otherworldly awareness, though of these Earthly powers all the same.....& all of which reverberates to the depths as it does, with this glittering grace, with this calming rapture, with this contemplative sense of wonder & awe, & with this reverie that is truly, pleasingly evocative.....though serenely haunted as this song is, nonetheless.....shrouded in these ancient, swirling & primordial mists, yet mists which are as eerily spiritual & as sweetly enchanting as they are primeval & elemental.....yet never losing its soothingly therapeutic effect, in both its mystical & atmospheric aspects, this song's haunted, soulful theme. Timeless!
Taylor Ahern
@Criostoir O'hEidirsceoil 🤣🤣👍👍
Criostoir O'hEidirsceoil
@Taylor Ahern couldnt be more hauntier
Taylor Ahern
@Criostoir O'hEidirsceoil So haunting that the ghosts who reside in my bedroom are haunted by this song😜😉
Taylor Ahern
@Albert McMullen How about Greenish-purple? 😜😉
Neil Worthington
clannad is great
ilmar aalten
Nothing is forgotten...nothing is ever forgotten...The people bled dry for foreign wars..no voice..no justice...
Gaynor Preston
Aye and women were burned