Brennan grew up as the eldest in a very musical family in a remote parish in the northwest of Ireland, a place where the Irish language and tradition was and still is very much alive. She sang along with her siblings in the family pub, Leo's Tavern. She also took part in many pantomimes in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, the local theatre, usually dancing and singing.
It was during 1970 that she joined her two brothers Pól and Ciarán and their mother's two twin brothers Noel and Pádraig Ó Dúgáin and eventually formed Clannad. After enjoying a decade of being the world's foremost traditional Irish act, they graduated to chart success in 1982 with the album Magical Ring. Moya Brennan was at the forefront of the group's success and her voice suddenly became synonymous with celtic music and Irish music at the time. She has recorded 17 albums with Clannad and has won a Grammy, a BAFTA and an Ivor Novello award with the quintet.
Moya Brennan released her first solo album in 1992, Máire, on Atlantic Records. Misty Eyed Adventures on BGM followed three years later. In 1998, Brennan signed with Word Records and released Perfect Time, and Whisper To The Wild Water a year later. The album was nominated in the Grammy Awards of 2001 for Best New Age Album. Her music is usually classified as New Age or Celtic. She accepts the Celtic label, but has at times indicated a slight discomfort with being seen as "New Age" as much of her music is strongly Christian, with several of her songs centering on maintaining a relationship with Jesus Christ. Some of her songs show influences from her Catholic upbringing or seem relational due to her own views concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In total Brennan has recorded 25 albums, and has sold over 20 million records. Since 2002, she has promoted herself as Moya Brennan — a spelling closely resembling the phonetic pronunciation of her name for those not familiar with the Irish variant of the spelling.
Brennan, along with Clannad, are considered as the inventors of contemporary celtic music and are held in high esteem for their vast contribution to modernizing old Irish songs. It is Brennan's haunting voice that has left the most lasting legacy, it has become synonymic with Clannad's work and with Irish music in general. Her ethereal vocalization is considered the archetypal sound of Ireland and strains of her style have been acquired in the soundtracks to Titanic and Riverdance. Brennan is also famous for her harp playing, she has featured it on many Clannad records and her album Two Horizons is based on the discovery of the harp.
Moya is also a member of Irish traditional group, T with the Ms.
Bi Liom
Moya Brennan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ná scaoil mé go deo
Bí liom is tabhairt domh misneach
Gan eagla orm sa cheo
Bí liom nach fada 'n oíche
Gan tú ag mo thaobh
Suílfidh mé amach are imeall
Bí liom are lorg síocháin is saoirse fadó
Dúirt tú liom, éist fuaim
An chláirseach
Sin é an ceol binn úr
The lyrics to Moya Brennan's song "Bi Liom" are sung in Irish and translate to "Be with me, my beloved. Don't ever leave me. Be with me and give me courage, without fear in the mist. Be with me, not far from me at night. I'll sit on the edge, searching for sweet new music. Be with me in search of peace and freedom long ago. You told me to listen to the sweet sound of the harp. That's the sweet new music."
The song is a plea for companionship and support. The singer is asking her beloved to stay with her and give her courage while she faces the unknown. The mist symbolizes the uncertainty and doubt that she feels, and the sweet new music represents the hope and positivity that she searches for in difficult times. The reference to the harp emphasizes the importance of music in Irish culture, and how it can bring comfort and inspiration.
Overall, "Bi Liom" is a beautiful and emotional song that highlights the power of love and music to overcome hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
Bí liom a stór mo chroísa
Stay with me, my love
Ná scaoil mé go deo
Never leave me
Bí liom is tabhairt domh misneach
Be by my side and give me courage
Gan eagla orm sa cheo
So I can fearlessly wander through the fog
Bí liom nach fada 'n oíche
It won't be long until dawn breaks
Gan tú ag mo thaobh
Without you by my side
Suílfidh mé amach are imeall
I will sit on the edge
Ag cuartú ceol binn úr
Searching for sweet melodies
Bí liom are lorg síocháin is saoirse fadó
Join me in searching for peace and freedom from long ago
Dúirt tú liom, éist fuaim
You told me, listen to the sound
An chláirseach
Of the harp
Sin é an ceol binn úr
That is the sweet melody
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MOYA BRENNAN, ROSS CULLUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SelmaMaria010911
Annie, como sempre muito lindo teus vídeos!!! Lindo, lindo, lindo!!!
Cuahutemoc - RJ
Moya Brennan, each song, a journey beyond the blue of the sky.
Greetings from Niterói, Brazil
Annie Schonkeren
Thanks for your nice comment my friend 🙏friendly greetings Annie 🍃🐞🍃
Rose Luil
Dear Annie, what a lovely relaxing video. Pictures are so beautiful. I like Moya Brennan's voice, actually I do have a private playlist of much of her music. Perfect combination of music and pictures. I am ready for the beauty of Autumn ♥ Thank you for your beautiful work my friend. -Rose-
Annie Schonkeren
Dziękuję Ewa..Pozdrowienia i uściski Annie ♥
eaglesong9919
Thank you for this beautiful moment, dear Annie, you're the best! Wish you a wonderful Sunday full of love and happiness! ♥♥ ~ Maggie ~ ♥♥
ZUZANNA MUSIAL
Very beautiful song and the video edit compliments the beauty, it is well balanced. Thank you dear Annie...Love, from Zuzanna♥
Eugenia&Robert
Peaceful, relaxing music Beautiful your video, great choice of images Thank you dear Annie Happy weekend Eugenia
Annie Schonkeren
Thanks dear Zuzanna, for your very nice compliments ! Wich you a Wonderful weekend ! Love from Annie ♥
skalarek1000
Ładne opracowanie całości,pozdrawiam.