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.
River
Moya Brennan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Touch me now
Wipe away my fear
I will follow you along the river
There many years carved the way
I am reaching for love that's gone astray
Now I cannot sleep some days
I wish the rain would stay away
River, did you bring me here?
Touch me now
Wipe away my fear
River miles and miles still flow
Shake this land
Reap where sounds will grow
How his love journeys on the river
Heart of darkness endless trail
I am feeling the edge, can I be strong?
Now I will believe your song
Beneath diamond skies I dream
Two lonely hearts no more belong
River, did you bring me here?
Touch me now
Wipe away my fear
River miles and miles still flow
Shake this land
Reap where sounds will grow
The song "River" by Moya Brennan presents a haunting, yet captivating journey of a person looking for a resolution to their heartbreak. The river is used as an extended metaphor that holds particular importance to the overall theme of the song. The opening lines, "River, did you bring me here? Touch me now. Wipe away my fear," immediately introduce the person's desperation for comfort and a sense of security. The river symbolizes a source of catharsis, a place where they can start anew.
The person then goes on to narrate their journey alongside the river, carved with many years of history, hoping to find a lost love, whose traces are long gone. They are willing to follow the river to reach their destination, hopeful to find a new purpose, and reconcile with what's been taken away. There's a sense of sadness and sleepless nights, but the person still holds strong to their hope, looking towards a reality where their wishes come true.
As the song progresses, the person reaches the heart of darkness, endless trails that lie ahead of them. They question themselves: can they be strong enough to face their past? The river's song gives them the will to strive and dream big, even under the diamond skies. The final lines of the song, "River miles and miles still flow. Shake this land. Reap where sounds will grow," represents the idea of restoring nature and growth where the person has been. It further implies that the person has found a resolution, a way to move forward with what they have left behind while embracing the river as a life source.
Line by Line Meaning
River, did you bring me here?
Asking if the river played a role in her destination- questioning fate
Touch me now
Asking for reassurance and comfort
Wipe away my fear
Requesting to be comforted of ongoing struggles and anxiety
I will follow you along the river
Choosing to trust the river to lead her journey
There many years carved the way
Acknowledging the river’s existence and the paths it paved
I am reaching for love that's gone astray
Seeking something she lost, perhaps a relationship or happiness
Now I cannot sleep some days
Feeling restless, possibly due to her struggles
Beyond faded tears I hide
Hiding her sadness and pain from others
I wish the rain would stay away
Longing for happiness or peace, wishing for the end of negative or gloomy days
River miles and miles still flow
Recognizing the river’s infinite and continuous journey
Shake this land
The river has a powerful impact on the surrounding environment
Reap where sounds will grow
Making the most of opportunities and benefits that come her way, especially from the river’s power
How his love journeys on the river
Talking about a person or past relationship that has moved on (Journeys on the river)
Heart of darkness endless trail
Feelings of sorrow and hopelessness, as seen at the end of relationships or during difficult times
I am feeling the edge, can I be strong?
Being tested and pushed to her limits, questioning her strength to overcome these challenges
Now I will believe your song
Trusting in the power of the river, whether to guide her or heal her wounds
Beneath diamond skies I dream
Dreaming big, reaching for the stars, hoping that the future will be bright and positive
Two lonely hearts no more belong
Finding a sense of belonging, whether through a new relationship or a renewed sense of self-acceptance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MOYA BRENNAN, ROSS CULLUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kickboxer
I've been following Moya since her days with Clannad. Her and her sister Enya are quality.
ronald schwigel
i first heard clannad in the summer of 1978 in milwaukee wisconsin, someone had them on a tape player playing loud i was hooked. a very gifted family of fabulous musicians thats why its called (CLANNAD).
funkykid
That girl has a voice from heaven.
Morgwyn of Ravenscar
Piękne!!!!!!
Lauren Wallace
Beautiful lady with an even more beautiful voice<3
Lauren Wallace
Indeed she is.
joe slob
Incredible song!
Mary Molotov
her voice reminds me of a beautiful siren on sea rocks.
Stu Stig
A mystic Irish voice
Angelica Andreani
Magnifique