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.
Slán le Máigh
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cois Maighe na gcaor na gcraobh na gcruach
Na stát, na séad, na soar, na slua
Na ndán, na ndréacht, na dtréan gan ghruaim
Curfá: Chorus (after each verse):
Och, ochón is breoite mise
Gan chuid, gan chóir, gan chóip, gan chiste
Ó seoladh mé chun uaignis
Slán go héag dá, soar-fhir suairc
Dá daimh, dá heigs', dá chléir, dá suag
Dom chaired cléibh, gan chlaon, gan chluain
Gan cháim, gan chaon, gan chraos, gan chruas
Slán dá n-éis, dá beithibh uaim
Da gcail, dá gceill, dá scéimh, dá snua
Dá mná go léir, dá gcéim, dá gcuaird
Da bpráisc, dá bplé, dá méin, dá mbua
The lyrics of Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh's song Slán le Máigh reflect the sentiment of bidding farewell to a familiar place and a life that was once cherished. The song starts on a melancholic note with the singer bidding goodbye to all that lay on the left side of her, mentioning Maighe na gcaor, a plain famous for its heather, trees, and rising hills. Then the lyrics go on to mention all that she is leaving behind: the states, the wealth, the glory, and the crowd. She even leaves behind her right to express her thoughts and feelings without fear.
In the chorus, she expresses her pain and lament by saying that she is sick and incomplete without a sense of belonging. She has lost everything except loneliness. The song goes on with the singer expressing goodbye to everyone and everything that was once a part of her life, from the rich and arrogant to the simple folk such as farmers and clergy, she bids farewell to all of them without any prejudice. The song ends on an upbeat note, with her bidding farewell to her own possessions and achievements.
Overall, Slán le Máigh is a haunting farewell song that captures the essence of leaving behind everything that was once dear, both the good and the bad, and embracing the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Ó slán is céad on taobh so uaim
Farewell, farewell forever from this place
Cois Maighe na gcaor na gcraobh na gcruach
By the plains of the sheep, the trees and stacks
Na stát, na séad, na soar, na slua
The wealth, the stock, the high, the crew
Na ndán, na ndréacht, na dtréan gan ghruaim
The fate, the deed, the strong without gloom
Curfá: Chorus (after each verse):
Chorus (repeated after each verse)
Och, ochón is breoite mise
Oh, woe is me, I am sick
Gan chuid, gan chóir, gan chóip, gan chiste
Without share, without right, without wealth, without chest
Gan sult, gan seoid, gan spórt, gan spionnadh
Without pleasure, without treasures, without fun, without surprise
Ó seoladh mé chun uaignis
Since I was sent to loneliness
Slán go héag dá, soar-fhir suairc
Farewell forever gentle, pleasant young man
Dá daimh, dá heigs', dá chléir, dá suag
Of your cattle, your horses, your clergy, your wealth
Dom chaired cléibh, gan chlaon, gan chluain
From my brothers in strife, without crookedness or deceit
Gan cháim, gan chaon, gan chraos, gan chruas
Without friends, without neighborhood, without annoyance, without hardship
Slán dá n-éis, dá beithibh uaim
Farewell after you, your family from me
Da gcail, dá gceill, dá scéimh, dá snua
Of your wool, your wit, your schemes, your hospitality
Dá mná go léir, dá gcéim, dá gcuaird
Of all your women, your reputation, your travels
Da bpráisc, dá bplé, dá méin, dá mbua
Of your rewards, your fame, your bearing, your victory
Writer(s): traditional
Contributed by Bentley V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.