Her family encouraged her to sing in the house, in a church choir and at school. At Waterford Regional Technical College she studied piano then took music at University College Dublin in 1987. Having learned to copy Ella Fitzgerald's scat singing, she performed in a Dublin bistro several nights per week while still a student. At the Royal Irish Academy of Music she studied classical music and sang in a jazz band, then a folk-ballad band, then another jazz band. She also fell under the influence of Dublin folk singer Frank Harte. During this time she also formed her own band, called Dorothy.
In 1993 Karan moved to New York City. There she studied jazz at Long Island University. When she encountered Irish traditional music sessions in New York she started singing Irish traditional music again. During this time she mostly sang in bars and locals. For most of 1994 she sang with a group called Atlantic Bridge. At the end of the year she joined Seamus Egan and others in Solas. She sang five songs on their first album in 1996. In the same year she sang in Tramps club in Manhattan, accompanied only by a percussionist. They mixed jazz and folk. In 1997 she recorded a solo album, Songlines, inspired by the novel of the same name by Bruce Chatwin. It was produced by Seamus Egan and included several members of Solas. There were a few traditional songs and some contemporary folk songs.
In 2000 Karan collaborated with several other singers on "Seal Maiden - A Celtic Musical". It was a musical version of the film "The Secret of Roan Inish", designed for children. It concerns the mythical creature called the selkie - a seal-woman. Since then Karan has recorded three further solo albums released in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In a salute to her Celtic roots, several tracks were recorded in her native Irish tongue. She also features on the DVD "Solas Live".
Her 2005 album Chasing the Sun includes a number of songs Casey wrote herself. Her records are released by Shanachie Records in the United States and Vertical Records in Europe.
Karan is now living in County Cork, and is married to Niall Vallely, a composer and player of traditional Irish music.
Solo albums
* Songlines (1997)
* Seal Maiden (2000)
* The Winds Begin To Sing (2001)
* Distant Shore (2003)
* Chasing The Sun (2005)
Recordings with Solas
* Solas (1996)
* Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers (1997)
* The Words That Remain (1998)
* Reunion: A Decade of Solas (2006, CD and DVD)
As session musician
* Dancing at Lughnasa (film) (1998)
* Waking Ned Devine (film) (1999)
* "Celtic Solstice" by Paul Winter
Cradle Song
Karan Casey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soft a snow-white fleece enfolds thee
Fairest flower all strewn before thee
Birds warble o'er thee
Seoithín seo ló, seoithín seo lú la ló
Oh who is this a-lying here
Gently at the door of my heart
I softly rock your cradle
Seoithín seo ló, seoithín seo lú la ló
A yellow moon lies in the sky
Streaming, falling over the earth
Hush, a leanna, hush, be still
The world is silent and sleeping
Seoithín seo ló, seoithín seo lú la ló
The lyrics to Karan Casey's Cradle Song paint a picture of a serene and peaceful environment, perfectly suited to cradling a precious newborn. The first stanza sets the scene, with the gentle golden cradle and soft fleece, along with the beautiful flowers and bird song creating a calming atmosphere. The lullaby then turns to the caretaker of the child, who marvels at the presence of the child in their life, lying gently at the door of their heart. The caretaker rocks the child's cradle, creating a sense of safety and warmth.
The final stanza refers to the moon in the sky, casting a gentle light over the earth. The words "Hush, a leanna, hush, be still" further emphasize the theme of quiet and calmness, with the voice of the lullaby acting as a soothing force for the child. In summary, the Cradle Song is a beautiful and touching lullaby which conveys a sense of safety and comfort to both the child and the caretaker.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet babe, a golden cradle holds thee
You are a precious and beloved child, protected and cradled in the warmth of your mother's love.
Soft a snow-white fleece enfolds thee
Wrapped in the softest blanket, you are surrounded by comfort and safety.
Fairest flower all strewn before thee
The world is yours to discover and explore, filled with beauty and wonder.
Birds warble o'er thee
The sweet sounds of nature are your lullaby, singing you to sleep with their gentle melodies.
Seoithín seo ló, seoithín seo lú la ló
These soothing words in Irish mean 'sleep, little one, sleep'. It's a wish for peaceful rest and contentment.
Oh who is this a-lying here
Inquisitive wonder at the miracle of new life, cherished and precious.
Gently at the door of my heart
Your presence is a gift, and you are welcomed with open arms and an open heart.
To and fro like clouds at night
Rocking you back and forth is a gentle, rhythmic motion, like the movement of clouds in the night sky.
I softly rock your cradle
With a gentle touch and a soothing voice, your caretaker tenderly rocks you to sleep.
A yellow moon lies in the sky
The peaceful night is illuminated by the warm glow of the moon, casting a comforting light over the world.
Streaming, falling over the earth
The moon's light cascades over everything, creating a serene and dreamlike atmosphere.
Hush, a leanna, hush, be still
These loving words in Irish translate to 'hush, little one, hush'. They offer comfort and reassurance that everything is calm and peaceful.
The world is silent and sleeping
In the quiet of the night, the world is at rest, and you are safe and secure in your cradle.
Seoithín seo ló, seoithín seo lú la ló
This gentle melody in Irish repeats, offering continued wishes for peaceful rest and contentment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FOISY, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind