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.
Two Horizons
Moya Brennan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Storms in the valley hide words never spoken
I hear the sounds two horizons sing
The harp that once through Tara
Silver moon stands when the morning is rising
Chasing the wind to the crystal horizon
Hard to believe when the signs are uncertain
I hear the sounds two horizons sing
Two horizons burn the harp that once through Tara
The lyrics in Moya Brennan's "Two Horizons" are a beautiful portrayal of the human struggle to heal after a broken heart. The opening line, "Hard to believe when the heart is so broken," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The storms in the valley hide words never spoken, revealing the silence and isolation that often accompany heartbreak. The singer is then able to hear the sounds of two horizons singing, a metaphor for the hope that exists beyond the pain.
The second verse introduces a silver moon that stands as the morning rises. This image conjures up a sense of new beginnings and fresh starts. The singer is chasing the wind to the crystal horizon, a metaphor for the endless journey of healing. It is hard to believe when the signs are uncertain, but courage is needed in order to heal and stop the hurting.
The final repetition of the chorus ties in the idea of the harp that once through Tara burned. This phrase refers to the destruction of the traditional Irish harp during the 19th century. However, it is also symbolic of the idea that pain can lead to beauty and transformation. It is through the burning and rebuilding of our hearts that we can find a new sense of hope and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Hard to believe when the heart is so broken
It's difficult to have faith when feeling emotionally distraught
Storms in the valley hide words never spoken
Conflict or turmoil can prevent us from expressing our true feelings
I hear the sounds two horizons sing
There are two different paths or possibilities calling to me
The harp that once through Tara
The symbol of Ireland's ancient past and rich cultural heritage
Silver moon stands when the morning is rising
Despite darkness, the promise of a new day brings hope
Chasing the wind to the crystal horizon
Pursuing a dream or goal that seems distant or unattainable
Hard to believe when the signs are uncertain
Doubts can arise from lack of clear direction or guidance
Courage be born then our world will stop hurting
With bravery and determination, we can overcome pain and suffering
I hear the sounds two horizons sing
The decision between two paths will require careful consideration and listening to one's inner voice
Two horizons burn the harp that once through Tara
The choice between two different paths will have profound consequences for Ireland's cultural legacy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MOYA BRENNAN, ROSS CULLUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LauperTribute
this is really her best album ever !!
@metalgrinch
This is a great album. Moya is so beautiful!
@markomarten
Moya Brennan is amazing,her voice is what sold Clannad to the world. This is a brilliant album and she is right to be proud of it! Signature is also very good but this is her best album!
@stiophanai
i actually met her at a wedding when she was in the middle of making this album. when she was telling me about it, she was so cute in how excited she was, although i thought she was nuts, to be perfectly honest. i am so glad that i was so wrong! by the way, she really is one of the sweetest people you'd ever meet! a very genuine, funny, humble, wonderful woman.
@Shreeb
thank you so much for this upload! Two horizons is one of my all time favorite CDs, it just never gets old no matter how often I hear it...
@lshimoha
txs 4 posting! My favorite female voice...
@Isabell21
I love U, Moya