216.183.84.206 (talk) |
|||
Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
We have come to answer our country's call<br /> |
We have come to answer our country's call<br /> |
||
From the four proud provinces of Ireland |
From the four proud provinces of Ireland |
||
Sarah is awesome |
|||
===Chorus=== |
===Chorus=== |
Revision as of 19:00, 3 November 2011
Ireland's Call is a song commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union for use at international Rugby Union fixtures.It has since also been adopted by the Irish Hockey, Cricket, Rugby League and A1GP teams.
Overview
In each case the team represents the whole island of Ireland (both Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland). While "Amhrán na bhFiann" ("The Soldier's Song") is the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland, its use arouses sensitivities among those with Unionist sympathies in Northern Ireland.[1] Equally, the national anthem of Northern Ireland, as part of the United Kingdom, is God Save The Queen, which is sensitive among those with Nationalist sympathies. At matches played in the Republic, both Amhrán na bhFiann (as the anthem of the Republic of Ireland) and Ireland's Call (as the anthem of the home (Irish) team) are sung. Elsewhere, Ireland's Call is the only anthem used in recognition of the need for a unifying anthem.
At most games today, only the first verse is sung, followed by the chorus in the same key. The chorus is then repeated in a higher key; at the end, the last line is repeated.
The song was written by Phil Coulter in 1995. He composed it because he loved hearing a combination of the Irish accents singing together.[2]
It was first broadcast simultaneously in Northern Ireland on the Kelly show and in the Republic of Ireland on Gay Byrne's Late Late Show, sung by Andrew Strong, singer in the film The Commitments, accompanied by Portadown Male Voice Choir. Phil has rewritten the lyrics to be sung in the Celtic Thunder singing tour, where he has collaborated with Sharon Browne, the Original Producer of Celtic Woman. The rewritten lyrics have a somewhat more martial theme, with lines like "meet our destiny with glory" and "Till our final requiem is spoken"[3]
Since its creation, there has been an ongoing debate in Irish society over the song – both in terms of its political suitability, and in terms of the quality of the composition. This tends to come to a head during each Rugby World Cup – the only time the Irish team plays a succession of matches away from home, and hence, when Ireland's Call is most prominently used.
However, in the wake of Ireland's game against England at Croke Park in the 2007 Six Nations championship, commentators in the Irish media talked about how powerful the rendition of the anthem was: “Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland's Call were belted out with such hair-raising intensity that men and women were crying as they sang.” [4]
Lyrics
At most rugby matches, only the first verse is sung, followed by the chorus in the same key. After a bridge, the chorus is then repeated in a higher key.
Verse 1
Come the day and come the hour
Come the power and the glory
We have come to answer our country's call
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
Sarah is awesome
Chorus
Ireland, Ireland
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We'll answer Ireland's call
Verse 2
From the mighty glens of Antrim
From the rugged hills of Galway
From the walls of Limerick and Dublin Bay
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
Verse 3
Hearts of steel and heads unbowing
Vowing never to be broken
We will fight until we can fight no more
For the four proud provinces of Ireland
Verse 4
Erin's warriors, clad in emerald
Steadfast souls confront their challenge
'Neath the glass sky they assemble
For the four proud provinces of Ireland
Other rugby match songs
- Flower of Scotland
- La Marseillaise
- Il Canto degli Italiani
- The Fields of Athenry
- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
- Molly Malone
- Cwm Rhondda
- Waltzing Matilda
- Hen Wlad fy Nhadau
- Land of Hope and Glory
- God Save The Queen
References
- ^ John Sugden and Scott Harvie (1995). "Sport and Community Relations in Northern Ireland 3.2 Flags and anthems". Retrieved 26 May 2008.
- ^ "Ireland's Call". BBC. 29 October 2002. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
- ^ lyrics on the official Celtic Thunder site
- ^ "Hair-raising cry of anthems fills Croker with pride and joy". The Irish Times. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2008.