(Left, another tree with coins hammered into it, this one fossilized. The tree is located south of Dublin. Photo © 1999 Shae Clancy.)

Musical Suggestions for Imbolc: Echoes of Brighid

By Francine Nicholson

Coming as it does when most of us are longing for the end of winter, Imbolc calls for music in a contemplative, reflective, and liminal mood.

Lullabies are closely linked to Brigid’s function as aid in childbirth and rearing. Celtic Soul by Noirin Ní Riain (BMG/Living Music) contains a hymn to Brigid and a lullaby, both of which are suitable for Imbolc. Other songs on this CD are of secular or Hindu origin. Her CD, Vox De Nube (from Sounds True), contains primarily Christian hymns, including a prayer of St. Brigid. Celtic Twilight 3: Lullabies from Hearts of Space includes a notable collection of Celtic and Celtic-inspired tunes performed by artists such as Maireid Sullivan, Julie Last, Barbara Higbie, Talitha MacKenzie, Anuna, Bill Douglas, Arcady, and Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning. This CD also includes Ní Riain’s lullaby.

Have you discovered the lyrical harp-playing and singing of Aine Minogue? If not, try her Between the Worlds (BMG/RCA Victor), especially the liminal title track and the restful "Sleep Song." In a similar vein but with influences from both Celtic and Scandinavian traditions is the music of Secret Garden. Try their CD, White Stones (Pgd/Polygram).

Imbolc is associated with the birth of lambs. If you have not yet tired of Enya or are in a mood to rediscover her, consider one of her earlier albums, Shepherd Moons (WEA/Warner), especially the mostly instrumental title track. Another tried and true suggestion for this time of year is Loreena McKennitt’s The Mask and the Mirror (WEA/Warner). Especially good for contemplation are the tracks called "The Dark Night of the Soul" which sets one of the mystic St. Juan de la Cruz’s most passionate poems:

"Oh night thou was my guide/ Oh night more loving than the rising sun! / Oh night that joined the lover/ to the beloved one /transforming each of them into the other."

(With such a gift for words, Juan de la Cruz must have been descended from Celtiberians!) Another treasure is The Two Trees, an arrangement for one of W.B. Yeats’s most beautiful poems with words like:

"There, through the broken branches, go/The ravens of unresting thought; /Flying, crying, to and fro,/ Cruel claw and hungry throat,/ Or else they stand and sniff the wind,/ And shake their ragged wings: alas! / Thy tender eyes grow all unkind:/ Gaze no more in the bitter glass."

If you’re looking for Christian hymns done with an Irish flavor, check out Van Morrison’s Hymns to the Silence (Pgd/Polygram), a collection of traditional hymns and original songs. His rendition of "Be Thou My Vision" is breath-taking (unless you’re not a fan of Van the Man). Narada’s collection CD, Celtic Spirit rises above the humdrum one would expect with gems like Connie Dover’s "Ubi Caritas," Aoife Ni Fhearraigh’s "Mo Ghra Thu" and the Anjali Quartet’s rendition of "Be Thou My Vision."

Did you see the original video of Riverdance recorded in Dublin? The vocal group performing the music is Anuna, a unique group that started out specializing in medieval music but also includes a few modern tracks on their CDs. Consider any of Anuna’s CDs: Anuna, Invocation, or Omnis, all on Uni/Celtic Heartbeat.

For those interested in a less conventional approach to devotion, Sophie B. Hawkins’ CD, Whaler (Sony), includes her pop hit, "As I Lay Me Down to Sleep," which, with its mention of "February morning," could be used as a modern hymn to Brigid, goddess or saint. And if your taste runs to a fusion of traditional Celtic instruments like bagpipes with a dance-beat and hip-hop, try Martyn Bennett’s Bothy Culture. The CD includes my favorite track, "Tongues of Kali," and his moving tribute piece, "Hallaig" in which Bennett plays behind the voice of the late poet of Skye, Sorley MacLean, reading one of his poems.

This article in the Celtic Well E-Journal is © Copyright 1999 by Francine Nicholson. Sections may be freely quoted, provided the author is properly cited with the URL and the words"electronic version." You may link to this site, but please do not copy this web page and its dependent web pages without contacting one of the Celtic Well List moderators.