Rosc Catha na Mumhan
by Piaras Mac Gearailt
(The Battle Cry of Munster)
Also known as Amhrán an Dóchais (The Song of Hope)
Rosc Catha na Mumhan is a powerful 18th-century Irish-language Jacobite war song (rosc = battle chant) by Piaras Mac Gearailt (c. 1709–1792). It expresses hope for the return of a Stuart king or French aid to liberate Ireland from British rule, using signs from nature (waves, birds, sun) as omens of approaching ships and victory. The tune later inspired "Come Out Ye Black and Tans."
Historical Context
Written during the Jacobite era (post-1690 Battle of the Boyne), amid hopes for foreign invasion (e.g., French fleet in 1759, though defeated at Quiberon Bay). It became an anthem of resistance for Irish Catholics and the Wild Geese exiles.
Full Lyrics with Translation
D’aithníos féin gan bhréag ar fhuacht
'S ar anfa Thétis taobh le cuan
Ar chanadh na n-éan go séiseach suairc
Go gcasfadh mo Shéasar glé gan ghruaim
'S ar anfa Thétis taobh le cuan
Ar chanadh na n-éan go séiseach suairc
Go gcasfadh mo Shéasar glé gan ghruaim
I knew it well by storm and cold
The waves which lashed the shore foretold
The birds’ sweet notes in forest tell
Our Prince comes over oceans’ swell
The waves which lashed the shore foretold
The birds’ sweet notes in forest tell
Our Prince comes over oceans’ swell
Measaim gur subhach don Mhumhain an fhuaim
'S dá maireann go dubhach de chrú na mbua
Torann na dtonn le sleasaibh na long
Ag tarraingt go teann 'nár gceann ar cuaird
'S dá maireann go dubhach de chrú na mbua
Torann na dtonn le sleasaibh na long
Ag tarraingt go teann 'nár gceann ar cuaird
I feel that the news is welcome to Munster
And to all who are eking out a miserable life
The sound of the waves on the sides of the ships
Drawing boldly on a visit to us
And to all who are eking out a miserable life
The sound of the waves on the sides of the ships
Drawing boldly on a visit to us
Tá lasadh sa ghréin gach lae go neoin
Ní taise don ré ní théann faoi neoil
Tá barra na gcraobh ag déanamh sceoil
Nach fada bheidh Gaeil i ngéibheann bróin
Ní taise don ré ní théann faoi neoil
Tá barra na gcraobh ag déanamh sceoil
Nach fada bheidh Gaeil i ngéibheann bróin
Each day 'til noon there's a light in the sun
And the wan moon passes under no cloud
The tops of the tall trees are announcing
That the Gaels won't long be in sorrowful bondage
And the wan moon passes under no cloud
The tops of the tall trees are announcing
That the Gaels won't long be in sorrowful bondage
Tá Aoibheall ar mire agus Áine óg
Agus Clíona an bhruinneal is áilne snó
Táid mílte agus tuilleadh den dtáin seo fós
Dá sníomh le buile gur tháinig an leon
Agus Clíona an bhruinneal is áilne snó
Táid mílte agus tuilleadh den dtáin seo fós
Dá sníomh le buile gur tháinig an leon
Aoibheall is raging and young Áine too
And Clíona the fairest maiden of form
Thousands and more of this band are yet
Spinning with fury till the lion comes
And Clíona the fairest maiden of form
Thousands and more of this band are yet
Spinning with fury till the lion comes
Explanation of Key Terms in the Second Verse
- rosc
- chant, cry
- cath
- battle
- rosc catha
- battle-chant, war-cry
- amhrán
- song
- dóchais
- hope
- subhach
- joyful (welcome)
- fuaim
- sound (news)
- dubhach
- gloomy (miserable)
- mair v.t.
- live
- torann
- sound/noise
- tonn
- wave
- slios
- side
- long
- ship
- tarraing
- pull
- teann
- powerfully, boldly
- cuaird
- visit