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.
Bright Star
Moya Brennan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One bright star in Heaven?
See the beauty in the sky
See it sparkles in your eye
Crown our hearts with royal breath
Like white souls awaiting birth
Push away this painted shell
Is there one bright star?
One bright star in Heaven?
Is there one bright star?
One bright star in Heaven?
Are there stars that light?
Light the dark horizon
Hear the beauty of the sound
How it echoes all around
Play this part with nobleness
Straight and true thr'o the wilderness
Hide no more this future flame
Future flame
Is there one bright star?
One bright star in Heaven?
Is there one bright star?
One bright star in Heaven?
Are there stars that light?
Light the dark horizon
Is there one bright star?
One bright star in Heaven?
The song "Bright Star" by Moya Brennan expresses a search for hope and guidance through the metaphor of a bright star in heaven. The repetition of the question "Is there one bright star?" suggests a desperate plea for something to believe in, something that can illuminate the darkness and bring a sense of purpose to life. Furthermore, the reference to a "painted shell" implies that the singer has been previously relying on something superficial or false to guide their way but is now seeking something more genuine and meaningful.
The lyrics progress to describe the beauty and grandeur of the natural world, particularly in the sky with the stars that light up the dark horizon. The use of the word "crown" implies a sense of reverence and respect for the natural world, as if it were a king or queen deserving of honor and praise. The final lines of the song, "Hide no more this future flame," suggest that the search for a guiding star has been successful, and that the singer now sees a glimmer of hope and possibility for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Is there one bright star?
Is there a single celestial object shining brightly?
One bright star in Heaven?
Is there a solitary star in the sky?
See the beauty in the sky
Observe the attractiveness of the sky
See it sparkles in your eye
Notice the twinkle in your eye while witnessing the sky
Crown our hearts with royal breath
Enrich our hearts with a majestic feeling
Like white souls awaiting birth
Similar to souls waiting to be born
Push away this painted shell
Get rid of this artificial exterior
Painted shell
Covers that make things appear nicer but lack true substance
Are there stars that light?
Do other stars brighten the sky?
Light the dark horizon
Illuminate the covered part of the horizon
Hear the beauty of the sound
Listen to the melody with appreciation
How it echoes all around
How it reverberates across the surroundings
Play this part with nobleness
Perform this role with dignity
Straight and true thr'o the wilderness
Maintain a pure and sincere path through chaos
Hide no more this future flame
Do not conceal this potential brilliance any longer
Future flame
The potential to become a significant light source in the future
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MOYA BRENNAN, ROSS CULLUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Whoalilmama21
Ireland has the best voices in the world, just like her sister Enya, she's awesome!
@c.l.9344
Agreed.
@c.l.9344
Supernaturally beautiful. ✨
@majellawhite8484
Moya Brennan the best voice in Ireland. Either by herself or Clannad. Love her haunting music
@sg72646
Moya Brennan at her absolute best. This is so spiritually fulfilling in my world
@rasul01
Indeed. I listened to this album for the first time today, and almost every song on it is really good.
@renatab.1577
Amazing...this wonderful voice always touch my heart and soul...thanks for wonderful bright star,Moya...
@KilharaKomeiji
Omg i listened to this in the morning and i felt TOTALLY at peace
@johnroberts8790
Amazingly beautiful
@contedeitramonti2597
Brividi ❤️❤️❤️