‘Tis the season to be jolly, and with the Christmas party season in full swing most of us will sing and dance our way to the big day, into next year more likely. Top party bands and DJs everywhere are bringing on the festivities by playing old favourites like, ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’, ‘Chestnuts Roasting’, ‘Winter Wonderland’ and many more, and it’s joy to the world as everyone partakes in the yuletide merriment, and then just when you’re getting into the swing of it, it’s time for the last song of the night, and no it’s not ‘Rudolph The Red–Nosed Reindeer’, it’s the National Anthem.

After all the singing, it sometimes becomes a case of ‘silent night’, as quite a large number are struck dumb, and very often embarrassed as they mime something that sounds remotely like the real thing, or suddenly get a tickly cough that brings on a case of laryngitis only to make a miraculous recovery for the last line.

The National Anthem consists of three stanzas and a chorus and was written in 1907 by Peadar Kearney, an uncle of Brendan Behan who, together with Patrick Heaney, also composed the music.
The Chorus was formally adopted as the National Anthem in 1926. There has been much debate through the years about its suitability as an Anthem and some suggestions that it suited its time and now it’s time to change.

However, it still remains the only one we have and everyone should know it. So, next time you stand for the National Anthem, sing loud and sing proud, and keep those heads up.

Aramhán Na bhFiann
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
Atá Fá gheall ag Éirinn,
Buidhean dár sluagh tar rúinn do ráinig chughainn:
Fámhoídh bheírh saor,
Sean-tír ár sinnsear feasta
Ní fágfar fá’n tíorán ná fa’n tráil;
Anocht a theigeamh sa bhearna baoghail,
Le gean ar Gaedhí chun báis nó saoghail,
Le gunna sgréach: Fá lamhach na piléar.
Seo Libh canaidh amhrán na bhFiann.

The Soldier’s Song
Soldiers are we,
Whose lives are pledged to Ireland
Some have come from a land beyond the wave,
Some to be free,
No more our ancient sireland
Shall shelter the despot or the slave;
Tonight we man the Bearna Baoghal
In Erin’s cause
Come woe or weal
‘Mid cannon’s roar and rifle’s peal
We’ll chant a soldier’s song.