Muireann's first recordings were on a CD of Irish traditional music and song performed by Geantraí, a group of musicians who performed a show of the same name in the Skellig hotel in Dingle. She also recorded on a number of CDs including The Crooked Road by William Coulter, Cello by Barry Phillips, and several compilation CDs. As part of the requirements for her MA in traditional music performance, Muireann produced a solo album of tunes and songs, entitled Réalt na Maidine/Morning Star. A limited edition of this album was distributed, mainly locally in Dingle, although copies were also sold in the United States and Europe.
Muireann's joining of traditional Irish supergroup Danú in 2003 marked a new departure in her musical career. Ciarán O Gealbháin, Danú's former lead singer, left the band in 2003, and Muireann took over as singer and whistle player, occasionally joining band member Tom Doorley in playing the flute. She recorded her first album with Danú in 2003, called The Road Less Travelled (The American release of the album spelled the title Traveled). The addition of Nic Amhlaoibh to the band lineup was hailed as a success. Danú recorded an album of solos in 2004, entitled Up In The Air, and Muireann played and sang on three tracks. 2005 saw the band release the album When All is Said and Done. Muireann participated in the project Hands Across the Water. This was a collaboration album with participation from dozens of high profile traditional and folk musicians and singers, with the proceeds of album sales going to victims of the tsunami in southeast Asia. Muireann released her first major solo CD in 2006, entitled Daybreak/Fáinne an Lae. It featured musicians such as Oisín Mc Auley and Eamonn Doorley from Danú, Gerry O Beirne, and John Doyle from Solas.
Muireann's television appearances include The Highland Sessions, a BBC Four television series featuring Irish and Scottish Gaelic music. Other television work work includes The Late Late Show, Amuigh Faoin Spéir by Éamonn de Buitléir, The History of Irish Dance, Léargas, and An Ghaeilge Bheo. Radio work includes Rattlebag and The Late Session with Aine Hensey on RTE, and An Saol ó Dheas on Radio na Gaeltachta.
Free and Easy
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like any small bird or thrush on the wing
When the sun arose for to bless the land
Well, I was free and easy for to jog along
Well, the first place I rambled was to Derry Quay
Just a few miles distant of Ballybofey
They sat me down for to sing a song
Well, the next place I rambled was to Glasgow green
Where lads and lassies were to be seen
But I was the blithest of all the throng
For I was free and easy for to jog along
Well, I had not gone but a very short space
When a nice, wee girl, she smiled in my face
She asked of me, am I a married man
No, I'm free and easy for to jog along
Well, I took this wee girl into an inn
There we drank brandy, strong ale and gin
She asked of me, would I give heart and hand
And give o'er free and easy for to jog along
Oh no, fair maiden, such things can't be
For I am bound for to cross the sea
When a man gets married, his race is run
He's no more free and easy for to jog along
Look at yonder stream, how it gently glides
It can go no further than it's allowed
It can go no further that it gets command
But me, I'm free and easy for to jog along
The song “Free and Easy” by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is a story of a man who travels different places without any restrictions or commitments. He is carefree, moves from one place to another, and enjoys each moment of his life. The song starts with the man telling about his wanderlust and how he loves to fly like a small bird. The sun is shining, and he feels happy to be alive. He is ready to travel, free and easy, without any worries or concerns.
The man then describes two places he travels to. The first is Derry Quay, where he sits down to sing a song. People enjoy his singing, and he is pleased to entertain them. The second place is Glasgow green, where he meets lads and lassies. He feels blithe, as he sings and dances with them, enjoying every bit of his time. He then meets a girl and takes her to an inn where they drink, and she asks him to marry her. He refuses to marry her, saying that he can’t be bound by anything. He is a free spirit and wants to live life on his own terms.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of living life on one's own terms. The man is free and easy, and he does not want to be bound by any commitments. He enjoys traveling, singing, meeting people, and having fun. The song shows how life can be carefree and joyful, and encourages listeners to embrace their free spirit and live their lives without any restrictions.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the first of me rambles I now will sing
I'm going to sing about my travels and adventures
Like any small bird or thrush on the wing
Like a bird flying aimlessly
When the sun arose for to bless the land
When the day began with hope and promise
Well, I was free and easy for to jog along
I was carefree and relaxed
Well, the first place I rambled was to Derry Quay
My first adventure was to Derry Quay
Just a few miles distant of Ballybofey
Not so far from Ballybofey
They sat me down for to sing a song
They asked me to sing a song
For I was free and easy for to jog along
I was carefree and relaxed
Well, the next place I rambled was to Glasgow green
My next stop was Glasgow green
Where lads and lassies were to be seen
Where young men and women were hanging around
But I was the blithest of all the throng
But I was the happiest among them all
For I was free and easy for to jog along
I was carefree and relaxed
Well, I had not gone but a very short space
I hadn't traveled far
When a nice, wee girl, she smiled in my face
When a girl smiled at me
She asked of me, am I a married man
She asked if I was married
No, I'm free and easy for to jog along
No, I'm carefree and relaxed
Well, I took this wee girl into an inn
I took the girl to an inn
There we drank brandy, strong ale and gin
We had brandy, ale, and gin
She asked of me, would I give heart and hand
She asked me to marry her
And give o'er free and easy for to jog along
And give up being carefree and relaxed
Oh no, fair maiden, such things can't be
Sorry, I can't marry you
For I am bound for to cross the sea
I am going overseas
When a man gets married, his race is run
Once a man is married, his life is over
He's no more free and easy for to jog along
He can no longer be carefree and relaxed
Look at yonder stream, how it gently glides
Look at the stream, how calmly it flows
It can go no further than it's allowed
It can only go as far as it's permitted
It can go no further that it gets command
It can only go as far as it's directed
But me, I'm free and easy for to jog along
But I choose to be carefree and relaxed
Contributed by Zachary P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.