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Amhrán na bhFiann is the national anthem of Ireland. Although usually sung in the Irish language, a translation of the original, it is also known by the English-language title, A Soldier's Song, as well as The National Anthem of Ireland (Amhrán Náisiúnta na hÉireann). The lyrics of the song are by Peadar Kearney and the music by both Kearney and Patrick Heeney. It was composed in 1907 and was first published in Irish Freedom in 1912. The Irish language version of the original was the work of Bulmer Hobson. The song is regarded by many nationalists as the national anthem of the whole of Ireland, and it is therefore sung, for example, at Gaelic Athletic Association matches held anywhere on the island. Unionists, however, reject this use of Amhrán na bhFiann, and at international games played by the all-Ireland Irish Rugby Football Union team the song Ireland's Call is sung instead of, or (in the Republic of Ireland) as well as, Amhrán na bhFiann.

Lyrics

The Irish national anthem consists of the chorus only of Amhrán na bhFiann, and is almost always sung in Irish. The first two lines of the anthem and the last two, played together, form the Irish Presidential Salute, which is played when the President of Ireland attends official events. The chorus of Amhrán na bhFiann, as used for the anthem, is given below.

Irish version

Sinne Fianna Fáil
Atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chughainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor.
Sean-tír ár sinsear feasta
Ní fhágfar faoin tiorán 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 canaig Amhrán na bhFiann.

Phonetic version

shin-na fee-in-na fall
a-taw fwee gall eg erin
bween daur slew
harr teen du raw ne cooin
Fwee vode veh sair
shann-tier awr shinshir fawsta
nee awg-fur fween teer-awn naw feign trawl
a nukt a hay-un sa varna vwail
lay g'yan air gwale cunn bawsh no sale
le gunna schrake, fay law vock na bill air
shuh liv con-ig arawn naveen


English version

Soldiers are we
whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Some have come
from a land beyond the wave.
Sworn to be free,
No more our ancient sireland
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the bearna baoil [2]
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal;
'Mid cannon's roar and rifles' peal,
We'll chant a soldier's song.