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.
The Mighty One
Moya Brennan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No more deny
When the sun goes down
Will I know who wears the crown
No more deceiving
No more grieving
When the sun goes down
There you stood in front of me
Dressed in glory
White to see
Spell-bound on the deep blue skies
Created on high
Cold and warm you set one's heart
'Cause you're the mighty one
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí go h-iomlán
Nach aoibhinn an radharc
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí is glór do Dhia
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí
Nach aoibhinn an radharc
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí go h-iomlán
Travel on a journey task
Expedition
Breathless mask
Vision seen with glaring eyes
On top of the world
Trace the footsteps gone before
Yes you're the mighty one
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí go h-iomlán
Nach aoibhinn an radharc
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí is glór do Dhia
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí
Nach aoibhinn an radharc
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí go h-iomlán
In Moya Brennan's song "Mighty One," the lyrics speak to a sense of surrender and honesty in acknowledging who truly holds power and authority, represented by wearing the crown. The first verse declares that there will be no more pretending or denying the truth, as when the sun goes down, the true ruler will be revealed. The second verse continues this theme, saying that there will be no more deceiving or grieving, and again questioning who will wear the crown at the end of the day.
The chorus praises a figure as the mighty one, who is glorious and awe-inspiring to witness, with the singer offering their blessings and recognition in the Irish language, saying "Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí go h-iomlán / Nach aoibhinn an radharc / Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí is glór do Dhia / Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí / Nach aoibhinn an radharc / Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí go h-iomlán." (My complete blessing to you from my heart / What a beautiful sight / My blessings to you from my heart and praise of God / My blessings to you from my heart / What a beautiful sight / My complete blessing to you from my heart).
The third verse describes a journey or expedition, where the singer becomes breathless and spellbound by the vision of the "mighty one" who is seen with "glaring eyes" on top of the world. Again, the chorus repeats the same words of praise and blessing in Irish, emphasizing the power and beauty of the one who wears the crown.
Overall, the lyrics of "Mighty One" capture a sense of reverence and awe for a figure who represents true power and authority, inspiring the singer to offer their ultimate respect and blessings in recognition.
Line by Line Meaning
No more pretending
I will not pretend anymore
No more deny
I will not deny anything anymore
When the sun goes down
At the end of the day
Will I know who wears the crown
I will know who is truly in charge
No more deceiving
I will not deceive anyone anymore
No more grieving
I will not feel grief anymore
Will they know who wears the crown
Others will know who is truly in charge
There you stood in front of me
I saw you standing right in front of me
Dressed in glory
You were dressed very impressively
White to see
You were dressed in white
Spell-bound on the deep blue skies
I was captivated by the deep blue sky
Created on high
You were created by a higher power
Cold and warm you set one's heart
Your presence can be both chilling and comforting
'Cause you're the mighty one
You are powerful and influential
Travel on a journey task
Going on a journey with a purpose
Expedition
A journey to explore or achieve something
Breathless mask
Breathless and in awe
Vision seen with glaring eyes
Seeing something with a strong and intense gaze
On top of the world
Feeling powerful and unstoppable
Trace the footsteps gone before
Following in the footsteps of those who came before
Yes you're the mighty one
You are powerful and influential
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí go h-iomlán
My complete and heartfelt blessing to you
Nach aoibhinn an radharc
What a beautiful sight
Mo bheannacht duit o mo chroí is glór do Dhia
My blessing and the glory of God to you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MOYA BRENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HrothgarXII
One of my favorite Maire Brennan songs Thanks for posting it.
@klockdoctor
Can't get enough of this lady's music-along with her family group Clannad. What turned me on to her though was the THIRD cut, Heroes. now THAT'S a celebration
@timbaldwin2383
Reminds me a little of some of the 4AD artists a few decades ago. Very creative and beautiful !
@lumberjackbros4007
Found this song through my intro to art class, catchy tune
@Fabzil
Haven't cried a lot in my life. Cause boys don't cry. But I've cried a couple of time with this song. I got a video clip with the movie Princess Mononoke et this song. It helps.
@jinkazama1992
Beautiful
@anntersol
I love this music!
@ReesorPark
Very good!
@pookie67
i've really started liking this song alot lately. Took me a long time to come around on this one. 'Misty Eyed Adventures and A Place among the Stones would still come above this, three amazing songs for a great album
@EmMa-bg9nx
Lovely