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about
'Dealán Dé' (butterfly/Northern Lights) is the second release in a four part collaborative music and film project 'Gormacha.' A sister project to the highly acclaimed 'Tírdhreacha agus Fuaimdhreacha' (Landscapes & Soundscapes), 'Gormacha' treads a musical path between the four most extreme geographical points on the island of Ireland.
The second release 'Dealán Dé' features the much celebrated and world-renowned Irish flute and whistle player from County Armagh, Brian Finnegan of the band FLOOK.
Weaving between Irish and English, ‘Dealán Dé’ - an ancient word from County Donegal meaning both butterfly and Northern lights - was recorded on and inspired by the most northerly point in Ireland, Malin Head. A song full of hope, passion and spirit, this triumphant ode to language and landscape also took inspiration from the writing and poetry of Kerri ní Dochartaigh and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, and features the wonderful Inishowen Gospel Choir.
“Whilst roaming Malin Head, I learned that a certain species of butterfly found in the Donegal Bog is now protected and has been saved from the brink of extinction by conservation efforts. I wanted this song to convey that energy and journey from near extinction to survival and revival. If we can appreciate and protect what is around us, we will do just fine…”
lyrics
Lyrics:
Northern lights invite me
Ar chósta Inis Eoghain
Dance barr na dtonn
Le mo thine ghealáin
Ceol sí
I hear you calling me
Back home
Glórtha réalta gealla
Mo chroí lán ildaite
Hands on your skin
In places that still sing
Suantraí
I hear you calling me
Back home
Dealán Dé, show me the way, show me the way
Tuatha Dé Dannan
We rise and fall amongst them
Leath mo scítheán
In the land of mother tongues
Faoi scáilí oíche
Love unfolds
Sreanga na beatha
Soft, slow
Láimh le taibhse
Soul sings
Tríd na haoise
Lift my wings
Dealán Dé, show me the way, show me the way
Kiss the sun, light upon
//
Glossary of words:
Ar Chósta: On the coast
Barr na dtonn: On top of the waves
Tine gealán: phosphoresence /
Ceol sí: fairy music
Glórtha réalta gealla: voices of bright stars
Chroí lán ildaite: full and colorful heart
Suantraí: lullaby
Tuatha Dé Dannan: mythical Irish tribe
Faoi scáilí oíche: under night’s shadow
Sreanga na beatha: strings of life
Láimh le taibhse: in hand with ghosts
Tríd na haoise: through the ages
//
credits
released June 14, 2023
Composed, Produced, & Arranged by Clare Sands & Brian Finnegan
Strings / Vocals / Guitar - Clare Sands
Flute / Whistle - Brian Finnegan
Percussion - Davie Ryan
📹 Filmed by Liadain and Kasia Kaminska
Edited by Liadain Kaminska
🎧Mixed at Wavefield Studios
Mastered by Philip Shaw Bova
Special thanks to Sinead and Andy from Inishowen Artists' Studio and Retreat for their hospitality, guidance and strawberries!
Channeling the music of her ancestors, Clare Sands is a unique force in Irish music. Weaving traditional roots with
Contemporary sounds and influences, Sands sings for the young and the old, brave and the bold.
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'Sands excavates into Ireland's ancient myths & landscapes whilst exploring the political exigencies of it's here and now... A bold beautiful album brimming with ideas' -Songlines...more
Great Scottish band! The addition of guests like Duncan Chisholm-fiddler extraordinaire- and Julie Fowlis-an authentic voice of Scotland- make it perfect. dardar1126
I heard Toria's when I was working in a French theme park, on my last week. I shazammed it, and immediately fell in love with the tune and the album. I will keep a fond memory of sharing it with my father after my last day was over. john-patrice
From Cork, Ireland, Lewis Barfoot writes mystic, majestic songs derived from regional folk, with an ambient music aura. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 11, 2023
The latest LP from Brigid Mae Power is gorgeous and ghostly, setting Power’s voice against soft brushes of guitar, piano, & shuffling drums. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 17, 2018