WT2024
Silent O Moyle
TTBB
performance time approx 2m 00s
See a perusal copy (PDF format) of the
music.
This copy is not licensed for rehearsal, performance or recording.
Hear a
MIDI rendering of
Silent O Moyle
This beautiful and plaintive Irish song should be given plenty of time to ‘breathe’, especially at cadence points. Tenors can use a lighter mezza voce style in the high quiet moments and basses should concentrate on great warmth of tone. The most important thing is to paint the picture of Lir's daughter, alone, awaiting the pure light to free her from her thralldom. I haven't noted dynamics as I prefer not to be prescriptive about this - just let the music speak for itself, building crescendi and coming back down to a well supported piano as the shape of the music and the meaning of the words suggests.
Words
Silent O Moyle
Silent O Moyle be the roar of thy waters;
Break not ye breezes your chain of repose.
While murmuring mournfully, Lir's lonely daughter
Tells to the night star her tale of woe.
When shall the swan, her death note singing,
Sleep with wings in darkness furled?
When will Heav'n its sweet bell ringing
Call my spirit from this stormy world?
Sadly O Moyle, to thy winter wave weeping,
Fate bids me languish, long ages away.
Yet still in her darkness does Erin lie sleeping;
Still doth the pure light its dawning delay.
When will that day star, mildy springing,
Warm our Isle with peace and love?
When will Heav'n its sweet bell ringing
Call my spirit to the fields above?
Thomas Moore
Background to the song
There was a time in ancient Ireland when the people believed in magic and in Lir, the lord of the sea. Fionnuala, Lir's eldest daughter, was enchanted by Aiofe her wicked stepmother, and turned into one of the most beautiful swans ever seen. The spell could only be broken by the sound of a church bell signifying the arrival of Christianity.
Moyle (Sruth na Maoile) is the ancient Irish name given to the stormy straits that form the North Channel between the Antrim coast of Ireland (Erin) and Scotland (Alban).
Mark Burstow
Purchase – 2024: Silent O Moyle
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