Sea Invocation - Manx Folk Song sung by Marianne Asjiki Lihannah and Catharina Rickett; Si Canta Duo video free download


12,212
Duration: 02:57
Uploaded: 2011/02/23

This enchanting folk song from the Isle of man was collected in Peel by Mona Douglas and arranged by Fenella Bazin.

The women of Peel would sing this song as their men sailed out to the fishing. It is an incantation to the Gods of the Sea to bring the fishermen safely back home again.

A thousand thanks to Colin jerry of Peel, Isle of man for generously helping me with Manx pronunciations and translations.

Also thanks to Catharina Rickett for letting me use some of her beautiful photographs for my youtube music videos.

Marianne A. Lihannah (Si Canta Duo)

www.celebrationsongs.net

www.funeralsinger.net

www.weddingsinger-uk.net

Comments

9 years ago

Simon Costain

#HolidayIOM 

12 years ago

celebrationsongs

Geay jeh'naer, ta ma ghraih er y cheayn, horo etc Jean y earish kiune as meein, ho ro etc Shonest, Leodest as y Raa (celtic Gods) cur aigh vie as maynris da Slaynt as shee as eash dy vea, ho ro I did have a longish Holiday on the Isle of Man and had help with the pronunciation and translation of a few marvellous Manx folk songs. Before that I had spent hours with Manx dictionaries and it was very hard. Finally this wonderful musician who lives in Peel, Colin Jerry, helped me generously.

12 years ago

celebrationsongs

Wind of the air, my love is on the sea, horo y ree y ro Make the weather calm and fair, horo etc Shonest, Leodest and the Raa, grant good luck and fortune to him. Health and wealth ('peace' in Manx instead of' wealth', better really) and length of life. Horo y ree y ro The horo y ree etc, doesn't mean anything, - it was believed to be casting a spell of protection in this case as the old lullabies often had that too. I will post the Manx words in the next comment

12 years ago

celebrationsongs

Thanks for your comment Prunesquallorful! The English translation that we sing is not absolutely the same as the Manx words, - it is the usual problem whether the translation is poetic enough and fits with the melody. We sing the poetic English translation which I will post in the next comment, - as I am running out of allowed characters here.

12 years ago

Prunesquallorful

incredibly beautiful version! just wondered though: does anyone (perhaps the uploader?) know the lyrics to this? in english and manx, if possible!

12 years ago

LihannaMusic

Answer to Athar Aqua, - I totally disagree with you, this song is an invocation to the god of the sea 'Manannan'. You want to put the song into a straightjacket as strict timing is? This is a lyrical song sung to the sea, - if one does what you say, it could potentially kill the atmosphere and the magic. The notation on folk songs is only a guide! I like this accompaniment, - I don't know what your problem is with it. Yes it has a more modern dissonant harmony in places, and so what? 5 stars

12 years ago

AtharAqua

I sing this differently... But well done. The harmony doesn't quite fit (not your fault), and this would've sounded nicer with a steady time, and possibly accompaniment.

13 years ago

FuneralSingerUK

Very inspiring, - gorgious song and divine singing!

Related Videos