The Celtic Tenors began life as the Three Irish Tenors on RTE's Theatre Nig… Read Full Bio ↴The Celtic Tenors began life as the Three Irish Tenors on RTE's Theatre Nights on October 1995. The group at that time consisted of James Nelson, Niall Morris and Paul Hennessey.
In 2000, Matthew "Gilly" Gilsenan replaced Paul Henessey and the Celtic Tenors were then formed and signed to EMI. Singing a mixture of Celtic, Operatic and re-worked popular songs, the group have travelled extensively with many tours concentrated in the USA, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. The group have performed with some of the world's leading orchestras including The Toronto Symphony, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Vancouver Symphony orchestra.
In June 2006, Niall Morris bowed out of the group and a young tenor from Omagh in Northern Ireland Daryl Simpson stepped into the group.
The Celtic Tenors have released four records with the EMI, Telarc and Dara labels. Their first album went on to achieve double platinum status in their homeland, Number 1 in Ireland and Germany, Number 2 in the UK, and won them the "Echo Award" for ‘Best Classical Crossover Act’ in Germany. They have recently recorded their fifth album entitled 'Hard Times'. It is an album comprising solely of American Song writers including Bob Dylan, David Baerwald, Randy Newman and Stephen Foster. The album was released by Compass Records in the USA on June 2, 2009.
For further information check their website www.celtic-tenors.com

Fionnghuala
The Celtic Tenors Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Thuirt an gobha fuirighidh mi
'S thuirt an gobha falbhaidh mi
'S thuirt an gobha leis an othail
A bh' air an dòrus an t-sàbhail
Gu rachadh e a shuirghe
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan

Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
Bheirinn fead air fulmairean
Bheirinn fead air falmairean
Liuthannan beaga na mara
Bheireamaid greis air an tarrainn
Na maireadh na duirgh dhuinn
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
Cha d'thuirt an dadan a' seo
Cha d'thuirt an dadan a' seo
Cha d'thuirt an dadan a' seo
Bheireamaid greis air an tarrainn
Na maireadh na duirgh dhuinn
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
Bheirinn fead air fulmairean
Bheirinn fead air falmairean
Liuthannan beaga na mara
Bheireamaid greis air an tarrainn
Na maireadh na duirgh dhuinn
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
Cha d'thuirt an dadan a' seo
Cha d'thuirt an dadan a' seo
Cha d'thuirt an dadan a' seo
Bheireamaid greis air an tarrainn
Na maireadh na duirgh dhuinn
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
Are you following it so far?
It’s Scottish
Feel free to join in
With me, okay?

Thuirt an gobha fuirighidh mi
'S thuirt an gobha falbhaidh mi
'S thuirt an gobha leis an othail
A bh' air an dòrus an t-sàbhail
Gu rachadh e a shuirghe
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Eilean nam bothan nam bothan

Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Fionnghuala" by The Celtic Tenors are rich in Scottish Gaelic imagery and folklore. The song tells the story of a blacksmith who speaks of his intention to stay, then to leave, and finally to take his forge to a distant island, where the bothy (small cottage) of Fionnghuala is located. The repetition of the phrase "Eilean nam bothan" emphasizes the significance of this island and Fionnghuala's dwelling, suggesting a place of tranquility and refuge.

The blacksmith mentions that he would bring his tools and skills to this island, highlighting his craftsmanship and dedication to his trade. The mention of the "Liuthannan beaga na mara" (little sea-waves) adds a touch of poetic imagery, evoking the gentle movements of the sea. The blacksmith expresses a desire to work hard and make progress on the island, perhaps seeking a new beginning or a sense of purpose in Fionnghuala's bothy.

The mention of the father's silence and the resolve to continue striving and not be defeated suggests a theme of perseverance and determination in the face of challenges. The repetition of the lines "Bheireamaid greis air an tarrainn, Na maireadh na duirgh dhuinn" reinforces the idea of pushing forward and not allowing hardships to hold them back. The presence of Fionnghuala's bothy as a symbol of strength and resilience in the song's narrative adds depth to the interpretation of the lyrics.

Overall, "Fionnghuala" conveys a sense of journey, resilience, and the pursuit of a peaceful haven. The imagery of the blacksmith and his forge, combined with references to the sea and the bothy, creates a vivid portrayal of a quest for solace and purpose. The repetition of certain phrases and the rhythmic flow of the lyrics enhance the song's mystical and captivating nature, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the enchanting world painted by The Celtic Tenors.

Line by Line Meaning

Thuirt an gobha fuirighidh mi
The blacksmith said I will stay

'S thuirt an gobha falbhaidh mi
And the blacksmith said I will leave

'S thuirt an gobha leis an othail
And the blacksmith said with sorrow

A bh' air an dòrus an t-sàbhail
That was on the door of the barn

Gu rachadh e a shuirghe
That he will go to sharpen his blade

'Si eilean nam bothan nam bothan
It was the island of the little huts

Eilean nam bothan nam bothan
Island of the little huts

Am bothan a bh' aig Fionnghuala
At the hut that belonged to Fionnghuala

Bheirinn fead air fulmairean
I would bring a whistle to the fulmars

Bheirinn fead air falmairean
I would bring a whistle to the seagulls

Liuthannan beaga na mara
The little waves of the sea