Óró ‘Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile is a traditional Irish revolutionary song. Óró is a cheer, whilst “sé do bheatha ‘bhaile” is Irish for “you are welcome home.” Leftists in Ireland sing this song in the streets all the time to this day, especially in Belfast, especially also at protests for Palestine. It’s been covered by everyone from Sinead O’Connor to Celtic Woman to The Dubliners to The Wolfe Tones. RMO has learned this song for use at the St. Pats for All Parade, and any other events where Irish heritage is relevant.

Similarly to many folk songs, the origins of this song are obscure. The melody resembles the nineteenth century sea shanty “Drunken Sailor.”

In the 1800s, this song used to be played at the ‘Hauling Home’, or the bringing home of a wife”. The “hauling home” was a ceremony that took place a month after a wedding when a bride was brought to live in her new husband’s home. This version consists only of the chorus.

This song has also been associated with the Jacobite cause as the traditional version mentions Séarlas Óg (Irish for ‘Young Charles’), referring to Bonnie Prince Charlie and dating the song to the third Jacobite rising of 1745–1746.

In the early twentieth century, Óró ‘Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile came to be known as a rebel song when it received new verses by the nationalist poet Patrick Pearse, and was often sung by members of the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rising. It was also sung as a fast march during the Irish War of Independence.

Since 1916, it has also been known under various other titles, notably Dord na bhFiann (Irish for ‘Call of the Fighters’) or An Dord Féinne. The latter title is associated with Pearse in particular as the Irish Volunteers chanted the song during the Easter Rising. This version features the pirate or “Great Sea Warrior” Grace O’Malley, a formidable power on the west coast of Ireland in the late sixteenth century, and other lyric edits in the verses, while keeping the Irish language chorus.

Lyrics

Chorus:

Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh!

Verse 1:

Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh!

Verse 2:

‘Sé do bheatha a bhean ba léanmhar,
B’ é ár gcreach tú bheith i ngéibhinn,
Do dhúiche bhreá i seilibh meirleach…
Is tú díolta leis na Gallaibh!

Verse 3:

Tá Gráinne Mhaol ag teacht thar sáile,
Óglaigh armtha léi mar gharda,
Gaeil iad féin is ní Gaill ná Spáinnigh…
Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaibh!

Verse 4:

A bhuí le Rí na bhFeart go bhfeiceann,
Muna mbíonn beo ina dhiaidh ach seachtain,
Gráinne Mhaol is míle gaiscíoch…
Ag fógairt fáin ar Ghallaibh!

Here is a lyric translation video, and a pronunciation tutorial.

Sheet Music