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.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Moya Brennan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not then," said the angel
"Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might"
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay
They found Him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay
His Mother Mary kneeling down
Unto the Lord did pray
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises
All you within this place
And with true love
And brotherhood-aca
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is a classic Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the joy that it brought to the world. The opening lines of the song are a call to all people to take comfort in the fact that the Savior was born on Christmas day and that He came to save us from Satan's power. This message is reinforced throughout the song, as the lyrics tell the story of the shepherds who were visited by an angel who announced the birth of Christ.
The second verse tells us that the baby Jesus was laid in a manger in Bethlehem by His mother Mary. The lyrics also mention that Mary did nothing to take offense at the humble surroundings in which the baby was born. The third verse tells the story of the angel who appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of Christ, and the fourth verse reminds us that we need not be afraid, as the Savior has come to free us from the power and might of Satan.
The fifth and final verse tells us that the shepherds rejoiced when they heard the good news and went to Bethlehem to find the baby Jesus. They found Him lying in a manger, surrounded by His mother and some animals. The song ends with an exhortation to all people to sing praises to the Lord and to love one another as brothers and sisters.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
May God bring peace and joy to you, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Do not be discouraged by anything
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Recall the birth of Jesus, our rescuer
Was born on Christmas day
He came to earth on a blessed day of December
To save us all from Satan's power
To liberate us from the hold of the devil
When we were gone astray
When we were lost in sin and misguided
O tidings of comfort and joy
Oh, news that brings consolation and happiness
In Bethlehem, in Israel
In a town called Bethlehem, in the nation of Israel
This blessed Babe was born
This holy baby was brought into the world
And laid within a manger
And placed inside a feeding trough
Upon this blessed morn
On this highly favored morning
The which His Mother Mary
Whom his mother, Mary,
Did nothing take in scorn
Did not reject anything about it with disdain
From God our Heavenly Father
The news came from our divine Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came
A holy Angel appeared
And unto certain Shepherds
And told some specific shepherds,
Brought tidings of the same
Delivering the same news as before
How that in Bethlehem was born
That a newborn in Bethlehem
The Son of God by Name
Named the Son of God
Fear not then," said the angel
Then the angel spoke, "Do not be afraid
Let nothing you affright
Do not be alarmed by anything
This day is born a Saviour
Today a savior is born
Of a pure Virgin bright
Born of a pure and radiant virgin
To free all those who trust in Him
To liberate all those who have faith in Him
From Satan's power and might"
From the dominion and potency of Satan"
The shepherds at those tidings
The shepherds, upon hearing the message,
Rejoiced much in mind
Felt immense gladness in their hearts
And left their flocks a-feeding
And abandoned their herds that were grazing
In tempest, storm and wind
Braving harsh weather conditions and strong winds
And went to Bethlehem straightway
And went directly to Bethlehem
The Son of God to find
To locate the Messiah, the Son of God
Now to the Lord sing praises
Now let's sing praises to the Lord
All you within this place
All of you within this space
And with true love
And with authentic love,
And brotherhood-academic\
And the fellowship and friendship of scholars,
Each other now embrace
Embrace one another at this time
This holy tide of Christmas
This sacred season of Christmas
All others doth deface
Outshines and outperforms all other celebrations
O tidings of comfort and joy
Oh, news that brings consolation and happiness
Comfort and joy
Consolation and happiness
O tidings of comfort and joy
Oh, news that brings consolation and happiness
Writer(s): Robin Womphrey, Andrew Charles Boucher, Justin Brotman, Craig Palmer, David Delargy, Bruce Cockburn, Alec Gould, Matthew L. Muhoberac, Fred Hersch, Brian Kelly Mcknight, Trad, Eugene O'hagan, Zachary Booles, John Bahler, Johnny Mathis, John Malvey, Steven Barnes, John Naples, David S. Halliday, Walter Afanasieff, Richard Michael, James Duncan Bell, Luther Henderson, Jean-Paul Renus, Kate Mcgarrigle, John D.-Andrea, Jacob James Koller, Craig Adams, David A. King, Neil Diamond, Brett Harrison, Craig Curry, Michael Lloyd, John B. Hancock, Pete Kelly, Elmer Bernstein, Anna Mcgarrigle, Pierre le Blanc, Joseph Barbera, Bob Holroyd, Antonina Armato, Georges Petsilas, Robert Sterling, Percy Faith, John Gerighty, Hoyt Curtin, Chris Rice, Cormac de Barra, Martin O'hagan, John Hawkins, Jim Kline, Doug Anderson, James Merrill Brickman, James Michael Dooley, Ralph Burns, John Rekevics, Carly Simon, John Zuker, Richard Joseph Knight, David Rose, Kurt Roland Bestor, Pete Neushul, Duncan Blackeby, Carol Tornquist, Bobby Tahouri, Roger Wilcock, Barry Michael Aiken, Daniel Charles, Stephen DinosPeppos Jr, Bernard A. Meisinger, Ron Jones, Loreena Mckennitt, William Hanna, Robert J. Walsh, tim fox, James A. James Boney: See "Oppenheim, Derric Johnson, Bill Cantos, Annie Lennox, Leon Young, Dan Jordan, Daniel Martin, Frank Mizen, . Traditional, Alan Hughes Copyright: Non-stop Outrageous Publishing LLC, Fable Music Pty. Ltd., Mutineer Tunes Worldwide, Fox Family Music Publishing, Polygram Int. Publishing Inc., Adrenalin Sounds Pty. Ltd., Non-stop International Publishing LLC, Wallyworld Music, Marlowlynn Ltd., Network Music, Andrew Scott Inc., Wonderland Music Company Inc., Chappell Recorded Music Library, Downtown Music Publishing LLC, Stephen Peppos Music, Fred Hersch Music, Emi Music Publishing Ltd., Bibo Music Publishing Inc., Red Engine Music, Koka Media, Notting Hill Music (Uk) Ltd., Zfc Music, David Rose Publishing Co., Brickman Songs, Drolet Music, Songs Of Skg, Hey You'Re Hey Music, Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp., Quinlan Road Music Ltd., Stonebridge Music, Sweet Sixteen Music Inc., Garden Court Music, Fox Music A Division Of Classic Fox Records, La Lennoxa Music Co. Ltd., Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, Revision West Music, Rotten Kiddies Music LLC, Kobalt Music Services Ltd. Kms, Position Music Publishing, Southern Library Of Recorded Music Ltd., First Digital Music, Sony/ATV Harmony, Universal Tunes A.D.O. Songs Of Univers, Clumsy Fly Music, Cancelled Lunch Music, Tcf Music Publishing Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Uk) Limited, Curb Songs, Michael Music, Tamal Vista Music, Two Fine Boys Music, Bro N Sis Music Inc., Editions Musicales Tutti Intersong S.a.r.l., C'Est Music, Doctor Brass Music, Word Music LLC, Tarvin Music, WB Music Corp., Burlington Music Co. Ltd.
Contributed by Hailey S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Romalvx
Beautiful, simple, just the power of her voice, and the melody.
ДМИТРИЙ ТРЕГУБОВ
ЭТА ПЕВИЦА ПРОСТО ДЕАТИЗМОМ ЗАНИМАЕТСЯ ОДНО НО ПО НАЧАЛУ ЭТОЙ ПЕСЕНКИ И ПО СВОЕМУ ГОЛОСУ ОНА НАПОМНИЛА О ДВУХ РУССКИХ ПЕВИЦАХ-ТЕРРОРИСТКАХ А ВОТ В МУЗЫКЕ МЕНЯ ЗАЦЕПИЛ КОРОТКИЙ ЗВУК ФЛЕЙТЫ
ДМИТРИЙ ТРЕГУБОВ
ЕСЛИ СКАЗАТЬ ПРО САМУ ПЕВИЦУ ТО ОНА МНЕ НЕ ОЧЕНЬ ПОНРАВИЛАСЬ ЕЩЁ МНЕ ОЧЕНЬ НЕ ПОНРАВИЛОСЬ НАЗВАНИЕ ЭТОЙ ПЕСЕНКИ
EyeRaven
This version is beautiful but I prefer the one of Loreena McKennitt