1.The Irish-language version, 'Amhran na bhFiann,' was translated by Liam O Rinn, and while it is the sole official version, most Irish citizens learn it phonetically since only about 2% speak Irish daily.
2.Peadar Kearney, who wrote the anthem, was the uncle of playwright Brendan Behan, creating a literary family whose works bookend Irish cultural identity from revolution to modern drama.
3.The anthem is played before every Gaelic football and hurling match at Croke Park, making it one of the most frequently performed national anthems in the world due to the GAA's packed fixture calendar.
Lyrics
Only the chorus is typically performed at official events
[Curfá]
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
Atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor,
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh, canaídh amhrán na bhFiann.
Sinne laochra Fáil,
Atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor,
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh, canaídh amhrán na bhFiann.
[Curfá]
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
Atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor,
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh, canaídh amhrán na bhFiann.
Cois bánta réidhe, ar árdaibh sléibhe,
Ba bhuachach ár sinsir romhainn,
Ag lámhach go tréan fán sárbhrat séin
Thar raon na bpiléar is cornaibh.
Is le buíochas á Dé ná stiall dár saoirse
Is tréan ár gcroí gan bhréag;
Ag dúil le saol, fé shéan nó fé bhrón,
Is scian le hiall dár gcéad.
[Curfá]
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
Atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor,
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh, canaídh amhrán na bhFiann.
A bhuíon nár fhan le dlí na le dáil,
Síos le rún na bhfear gcrógha;
Tré raon na ngléas do bhrúigh go tréan,
Is trí bhéim do mhúch a nglóir dóibh.
Is anois ar theacht don lá dúinn thar sáil,
Ó éigean bruid is tréadh,
A fhlaith na bhFiann, tá ár dtír go réidh,
Is scian le hiall le héan.
[Curfá]
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
Atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor,
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh, canaídh amhrán na bhFiann.
[Chorus]
We are the Soldiers of Destiny,
Pledged to Ireland,
Some of our host
Have come to us from across the waves.
Sworn to be free,
Our ancient land henceforth
Shall shelter neither tyrant nor slave.
Tonight we step into the gap of danger,
For love of the Gaels, to death or life,
With rifles' screech amid the hail of bullets,
Come forth, sing The Soldiers' Song.
We are warriors of Ireland,
Pledged to our homeland,
Some of our host
Have come to us from across the waves.
Sworn to be free,
Our ancient land henceforth
Shall shelter neither tyrant nor slave.
Tonight we step into the gap of danger,
For love of the Gaels, to death or life,
With rifles' screech amid the hail of bullets,
Come forth, sing The Soldiers' Song.
[Chorus]
We are the Soldiers of Destiny,
Pledged to Ireland,
Some of our host
Have come to us from across the waves.
Sworn to be free,
Our ancient land henceforth
Shall shelter neither tyrant nor slave.
Tonight we step into the gap of danger,
For love of the Gaels, to death or life,
With rifles' screech amid the hail of bullets,
Come forth, sing The Soldiers' Song.
Across level fields and mountain heights,
Our forebears before us were triumphant,
Firing boldly beneath the fair bright banner
Through the fields of bullets and horns.
And by the grace of God not a shred of our freedom
Is lost, our hearts are true without a word of lie;
Hoping for life, in joy or in sorrow,
With a blade at the ready for our cause.
[Chorus]
We are the Soldiers of Destiny,
Pledged to Ireland,
Some of our host
Have come to us from across the waves.
Sworn to be free,
Our ancient land henceforth
Shall shelter neither tyrant nor slave.
Tonight we step into the gap of danger,
For love of the Gaels, to death or life,
With rifles' screech amid the hail of bullets,
Come forth, sing The Soldiers' Song.
O band who did not wait for law or assembly,
Down with the purpose of brave men;
Through the midst of arms they pressed on boldly,
And by their blows silenced their foes' glory.
And now that our day has come from across the sea,
From the bondage of oppression and exile,
O Prince of the warriors, our land is ready,
With a blade at the ready for joy.
[Chorus]
We are the Soldiers of Destiny,
Pledged to Ireland,
Some of our host
Have come to us from across the waves.
Sworn to be free,
Our ancient land henceforth
Shall shelter neither tyrant nor slave.
Tonight we step into the gap of danger,
For love of the Gaels, to death or life,
With rifles' screech amid the hail of bullets,
Come forth, sing The Soldiers' Song.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Show full poemShow official version
Analysis
Editorial
Written by Peadar Kearney in 1907, the song became associated with the Irish independence movement. It was first published in the newspaper Irish Freedom in 1912 and was sung by rebels during the Easter Rising of 1916. It was officially adopted in 1926.