“Óró, sé do bheatha abhaile” is a traditional Irish ballad. Its origins have been lost, but it goes back at least to the 18th century and before, when it was associated with the long struggle for Irish independence from English rule.
The woman that is hailed and welcomed in the refrain is Grace O’Malley, chieftain of the Ó Máille clan, the iconic rebel leader and “pirate queen” famous for her navigation skills by land and by sea and for speaking five languages (Gaelic, French, Spanish, Greek, and Latin) but no English. Like no other, “Gráinne Mhaol” (as she is called) and her name stand for Ireland and the country’s continuous battle for freedom.
In the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), the song was re-adopted as the “Call of the Fighters” and is still known as one of the eminent Irish rebel songs.
Seo Linn are a great Irish group singing in their native Gaelige and composing indie folk filled with meaning, energy, and valiant history. They are so popular and identified with Irish pride that they were chosen to perform the official “Irish Roar” football song representing Ireland in the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship. Check them out.
Óró means “hail” and sé do bheatha ‘bhaile means “welcome home,” which also refers to the return home of the Irish people’s “birthright.”
Freedom is humanity’s birthright. Come, let us rally for freedom.
Related:
Grace O’Malley (Wikipedia)
Website by Grace O’Malley biographer Anne Chambers
Seo Linn (Official homepage)
Sinead O’Connor singing Oro Se do Bheatha Bhaile (YouTube)
