Kate Bush - Gaelic Song

Kate sang this song on an album by the Irish musician Donal Lunny, who played bouzouki on Kate's Night of the Swallow.
The song is called "Mná na hÉireann" which translates to "Women of Ireland". Thank you to those who mentioned the title of the song in their comments, really appreciated.

[@zbreber4]

I am Croatian,but I love Irish people,also IRISH MUSIC,ESPECIALLY PERFORMED BY kATE bUSH ! She is fantastic.God bless Irish !

[@simonidastankovic2627]

As a SERB I must agree: God bless the Irish people and Irwland !!! We do feel close to CELTIC CULTURE !!! In every possible way.

[@irishfergal]

I love both your comments - this beautiful woman sings of universal truth - heartbreak and love and the pure beauty of the human voice.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

The song is called 'Women of Ireland' its a traditional song about the courage strength and suffering of Irish women down the centuries who have had to endure losing their sons to war famine and emigration.

[@jorvikaengelskvinna7157]

@Helen Wright Kate’s mother was Irish. The country is dear to her (she has spoken of this).

[@michaelgombkoto6941]

Thank you for the explanation. I don't understand any word. But it's fantastic.

[@marinanononsense]

❤😊

[@stellamaris5405]

☘️ Is there any limit to this Lady's talent? She's pronouncing those words better than most Irish would!

[@momcatwoo]

Hee mother is Irish; she grew up listening to the music.

[@murkymurk8305]

Obviously not!

[@lighthouse620]

not hard when most of us dont know our own fucking language

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

Well, you didn't think Kate Bush would just halfass it, did you?

[@dumdum5241]

She is the most unbelievable artist the universe have send us, what a voice, she is so talented her creativity is unlimited her beauty haunting, great great kate Bush.

[@johnosullivan6439]

I can't listen to Kate singing this without crying. It is so, so beautiful 💚💔💚

[@donnawalser7304]

Yes I agree

[@petermortimer6303]

We played it at my mam's funeral and I have trouble listening to it and staying dry eyed

[@IrishLincoln]

This song is called Mná na hÉireann (Women of Ireland) in case anyone wants to know.

[@IrishLincoln]

***** traduce? Well, I guess I could, but wouldn't that be inappropriate and rude?

[@marinanononsense]

+IrishLincoln thanks :)

[@heliotropezzz333]

+Mabel Moreira. Ciencias de la Educacion You mean "translate" not "traduce".

[@marinanononsense]

***** Thats beautiful , thank you . i love this ong

[@philipsamjacob2573]

Thank you this is so beutiful Donabien

[@juliosanti]

ALWAYS MESMERIZING !! JUST LOVE HER !! 😍🥰

[@ristrellaconti1005]

I wish she would record a whole album of Irish songs.

[@Chainsawkoneko]

saaaammmeeeee, I would buy it in a heartbeat

[@beverlykrebs4372]

+Ristrella Conti I will vote for that! I have been a HUGE Kate Bush fan since 1985, and, more recently, a HUGE fan of Celtic Woman, the Irish group who tours all over the world and also has a long list of CD's an DVD's (of which I have them all!) - I would LOVE to see Kate do some work with them, but I am not holding my breath!!

[@garycoates4987]

that would be wonderful,,, I'd love to hear her sing paddys lament

[@eugenemurray2940]

She is a Londoner.... Thus the choice is hers.....

[@washerdryer3466]

@@eugenemurray2940 Her mother is from Waterford. So yes, the choice is hers.

[@thomasspitlbauer9518]

I loved this woman in the late 70s and I will love her for ever. This voice is so unique and every time I hear her songs it reminds me of my youth.

[@plugs313]

Thomas Spitlbauer I'll second that if you don't mind...

[@niporpienso]

Thomas Spitlbauer So do I

[@FrankRuediger]

Thomas Spitlbauer until now, i belived i am the only one who loves Kate fullheartly and 4ever :-) :-):-)

[@beverlykrebs4372]

+Frank Ruediger Nope! When I was in my early 20's, back in 1985, I met a friend who had lived in England for a time, and he introduced me to Kate's music. He had all of her videos and her albums. He gave me a poster and loaned me a biography on Kate Bush. I was very blown away by her artistry and talent. I taught myself to sing like her so I could sing along with the albums without sounding like an idiot. I had a daughter in 1994. She grew up watching Kate's videos and learned the words and movements in all of her videos. She is now 20, and is probably one of the only girls her age to be a die-hard Kate Bush fan! Yes, I raised her right!!!! So fear not, you are NOT alone!!!! I do believe that we have many, many, many others who share our passion for Kate's music and art!

[@FrankRuediger]

+Beverly Krebs Thank you so much for your warm and soothing comment! You raised your daughter very well indeed!

[@silgen]

A perfect example of the power of Kate's singing - I don't understand a word of that yet I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes because it was so beautiful. Thank you for posting this, I hadn't heard it before.

[@barbiemech393]

I do not understand a word but this is beyond beautiful. It touches my soul in such a way that its incomprehensible. ❤❤💫

[@karanfield4229]

Reincarnation

[@gailstanley9610]

its gaelic irish

[@gailstanley9610]

lovely tc

[@laurasherwood4771]

It's a song called Women of Ireland

[@user-zf8xk5cu4u]

i identify with every word you have written here

[@Australia4285]

Catherine Kate Bush. Her mother a former accomplished Irish dancer born Country Waterford, Ireland. Always knew Kate Bush looked Irish. Father a doctor and accomplished pianist. Coming from a musical family. Easy to see she has brains and the Irish Beauty, mystical and magical. You have to be Irish to sing this beautiful song.

[@jeffreytemkin818]

Utterly gorgeous.

[@alistairmcdougall9625]

Loved Kate Bush for over 40 years now & I'm gobsmacked to have stumbled across this track, sorry to all Irish people but I didn't understand a single word but what a beautiful song👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿/🇨🇮

[@alistairmcdougall9625]

@Peacelily Promise I'll look into that it's got me intrigued, I busted my ribs at the weekend & I can hardly move 😩

[@booksrule0240]

My family is evenly split between scottish and irish and listening to this music sets my blood flowing. I am traveling to Scotland and Ireland next year to trace back all my family roots. I cant wait. This music is wonderful.

[@tingletangle1]

strenght!!!!

[@isakdahl7054]

It’s been 10 years. If you’re still out there, how did it go?

[@booksrule0240]

Fun and wild. It was a blast. Loves the music and visiting different cities and a couple of castles. The people where pretty friendly. My kids tried to copy the accents to expected hilarity. The weather was the only difficulty honestly but we had a good time.

[@booksrule0240]

@Peacelily yeah and the irish didn't love to raid their neighbours from time to time..... no side was innocent then. As for the language, the Scottish highland is more of a mix between the Irish Gaelic and Danish. Doubt the Scots are to blame for stealing it

[@johnmartin-fn5cx]

My Irish parents mum 80 and dad 86 love this song so proud they are still with me

[@petropavlovskkamchatskiy1917]

Mná na hÉireann - one of the most beautiful Irish songs ever.

[@beverlykrebs4372]

As a Kate Bush super-fan, and also a Celtic Woman super-fan, it is thrilling to hear Kate sing a song in the old Irish language of Gaelic! I love to hear that language - it is just musical to hear it spoken! I also have Irish heritage, so there's that!!!! Thanks for posting this! It is one that I have never heard!

[@RobSmith2016]

Technically it isn't called gaelic, it's called gaelige or Irish.

[@beverlykrebs4372]

I didn't know that! Thank you! I saw a written article by a reporter (or some media person!) who was interviewing Chloe Agnew (of Celtic Woman), and they were quoting her as she said something about Gaelic, but since it was a written article, the writer could have spelled the word the way they thought it was spelled. The interview was verbal between that person and Chloe, and was just written up by the reporter. Again, thanks so much for that info!

[@beverlykrebs4372]

They (Celtic Woman) do an a capela version in harmony of Danny Boy that would have you sobbing your heart out! And on their 2nd CD, Orla Fallon performs Isle of Innisfree playing harp and singing with her very strong Irish lilt and that will bring tears also! So many of their songs are emotional. Personally, I lose it when they perform Amazing Grace, with piper Andrew (who travels on tour with them and teases that he is the "5th Celtic Woman"!) That song was played at my dad's funeral, then my mum's. Gets me every time! I got my tickets yesterday to the Celtic Woman show in Asheville, NC this coming April. 4th row - not too bad. I'm usually in 1st row but this year we just didn't have the money to buy PBS seats. Hope you get to see them live!

[@yanniegeerdink7183]

+Beverly Krebs Won't like what is liked at your..

[@patsymartin1015]

Such an amazing woman, and as a musician she surpasses many, yet she seems to to stay in the background, Amazing Kate, amazing 👏 ❤ 💙 x

[@eddiswissliberty2947]

I grew up in Switzerland and in the late 70 s we where listening Her songs with my sister who died 6 years ago. Beautiful...

[@imnotabiologist9652]

Kate Bush is magical to me. She has helped me make art for decades

[@NateSpurs]

This song just breaks my heart. Really stunning.

[@michaelgombkoto6941]

What a talent. What a singer. What a composer. What a interpreter. I love her till the end of my days.

[@J.Hermansson]

Translation: Women, Women of Ireland your glory's in the shade Your dreams they have gone and decayed The deeds you have done they all went unsung By no Bard or no one For without you there is nothing Except love songs in the wind And all of your struggles and dispair And there were castles in the air Shout it from every mountain From every mountain on high And the four winds will sigh For Ireland, Ireland's your glory And your monuments built on your sorrow and pain For if ever the seas and the oceans run dry Tears of struggles and of joy And all of your sadness and your pain Would fill the oceans up again Daughters, Daughters of Erin to the Cuman na mBan Your dream was to see Ireland free Thru agrarian struggles were determined to win And from there to begin There you were dressed for rebellion But your beauty could not hide Your sorrow and suffering and dispair And there were castles in the air Shout it from every mountain From every mountain on high And the four winds will sigh For Ireland, Ireland's your glory And your monuments built on your sorrow and pain For if ever the seas and the oceans run dry Tears of struggles and of joy And all of your sadness and your pain Would fill the oceans up again Women, Women of courage, you suffered in your silence You kept Ireland's spirit alive You were imprisoned, your people enchained But you never gave in In troubled days of old Ireland You were the brave ones who fought Through oppression and famine and dispair And there were castles in the air Shout it from every mountain From every mountain on high And the four winds will sigh For Ireland, Ireland's your glory And your monuments built on your sorrow and pain For if ever the seas and the oceans run dry Tears of struggles and of joy And all of your sadness and your pain Would fill the oceans up again

[@stevecarson4162]

Interesting and inspiring poem -- but it's not a "translation" of this song, just so nobody thinks it is.

[@marinanononsense]

😊 Thank you.

[@2011facebooker]

Im irish and im flunt and this and this is absolutely perfect even the way she pronounces the words :')

[@RobroyMayo]

well said Nicole!

[@2011facebooker]

Robroy Mayo its so perfect like i was brought up listening to her and this is just amazing i have actually learned this on piano and will be playing and singing it for my junior cert :)

[@RobroyMayo]

Nicole.Michelle.Crazyness Hi Nicole, I hope you will post your concert too

[@2011facebooker]

Robroy Mayo if i can i will its a state exam so i dunno if i can record

[@slatskatya]

Kate's mum was Irish

[@alessandrolarosa912]

God bless Kate Bush and your voice. Beautiful and unforgettable.

[@grahamwalker6395]

I found this by accident, I'm a huge Kate Bush fan and even queued up for several hours in Tottenham Court road to get an album signed (still have, unplayed). I had no idea this existed and now I'm sold all over again!

[@SC-jh9qp]

Ditto. How did this escape my radar?

[@valmust1469]

This beautiful song is originally called Mna na hEirean(irish). As far as I know, Kate's mother is from Ireland, Waterford County. Please love and favor Irish culture and language.

[@leighjohnson1001]

So very beautiful Kate,we love you,love from Australia.

[@xaraxania]

ohhh it's beautiful her voice is simply wonderful

[@charlesperez9976]

Perfection.

[@isabellaing3597]

Oh Wow !!! beautiful song/video of the Beautiful, Unique,Wonderful Kate Bush 👌😽😻💖💏💞🌹❤️💋✨

[@numoherisson1656]

Gorgeous version of this song!

[@trinadove2577]

Oh wow Kate Bush our very own beautiful English rose singing in Irish. Wonderful

[@paulhogan6682]

Her mother is from County Clare in Ireland

[@roberto4001000]

@@paulhogan6682 It's Waterford not Clare .

[@mk5294]

Kate Bush is such a very talented singer, I love her so much!!!

[@BorsosGabor2023]

This is one of the most beautiful melodies in the world. It always touches me every time I hear it.

[@Adimaejoon]

I do not call myself a Kate Bush fan. But Kate Bush is such an unique artist. One in a million. She had some really nice songs back then. She will always be remembered for her great voice and great music.

[@elsajames7227]

omg she is so awesome. Looove you Kate. My Mother used to play her all the time when i was a toddler. Reminds me of my Mammy. :)

[@sean...]

This is so beautiful, thank you Kate.

[@sophiecrawshaw2917]

My mum is Irish too and is now elderly getting very frail, she has alzhimers so this made me very emotional 😢

[@MrFantomasus]

ich hörte kate bush das erste mal mit 14jahr ich lieb ihre musik immer noch seit 31jahren.sowas wie kate gibts nie wieder.ich hoffe ihr gehts gut .

[@Boveyphil]

Found this by accident...............staggeringly good.

[@CM-dk5er]

wow, that's such an amazing performance, she sings wonderfully! Fantastic and tasteful selection of pictures, too!

[@stanislav182000]

beautiful song

[@rinassimiento2896]

🌹🌺🥀🌻🪷🪁 thank You beautiful Kate to pay Tribute to those strong Irish women liké S.O'Connor who recently left us 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@FrankKnight8846]

I love this song, beautiful. Thanks for posting❤️😉

[@carolobrocki9206]

OMG this is the first time I have listened to this one... it's GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!

[@PhillRobinson]

I loved Kate in 1979 and I still do. She is a brilliant talent. I still have a crush .

[@deniskelly2458]

Loved kate since I was 10 years old . This song is awesomely beautiful

[@1seansouth]

Partial Translation: (strange verse at the end) There's a woman in Ireland who'd give me a gem and my fill to drink, There's a woman in Ireland to whom my singing is sweeter than the music of strings ..... There's a woman in Ireland who'd envy me if I got naught but a kiss From a woman at a fair, isn't it strange, and the love I have for them There's a woman I'd prefer to a battalion, and a hundred of them whom I will never get And an ugly, swarthy man with no English has a beautiful girl

[@vafkamat]

It seems to me that "swarthy" reference is racist. ( Swarthy means dark skinned)

[@pyconsable]

what can I say I love all of her music.

[@alphastarcar]

Love the photo's. I felt like I took a trip down memory lane. Kate is the best!

[@veroniquehoflack4910]

Very moving ! I get the chills everytime i listen to it. I can feel the powerful Irishness of this 'hymn'.

[@TheJoeman747]

yes Kate Bush is Irish from her dear late Mother ,.. Hannah,..and English from her Late Father Robert Bush,.....:)

[@sharonsheehy3128]

Simply beautiful 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@barductube]

Thank you for uploading this, I never knew about this song! And I am an all time fan ever since 1978! It's beautiful.

[@bobbrooky]

What a beautiful song, with beautiful un prepossesing pictures, I could listen to it forever. Whoever Kates partner in life is, is an incredibly lucky person

[@muirgheasa73]

It's so unusual but very nice for me as an Irish person to hear an English person sing this song. Somehow it's a touching, artistic way of contributing to the reconciliation of the two cultures which sadly were so divided.

[@SonOfTamriel]

i'm replying to a 12 year old comment, and I agree. Hope you see this

[@johnosullivan6439]

Kate's mother was Irish, so she is in fact half Irish herself.

[@petalchild]

She's half Irish.

[@paulpaulleey198]

She's still English. My blood is 100% scottish and irish but I was born in England therefore I am English.

[@sopsak]

Magnificent song!

[@GarryShepherdDreamGazePostPunk]

Beautiful💙

[@RosePetal17]

What a beautifully rich and lush song, sung by one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of my generation

[@stevenolove]

Theres definitely the spirit of a celtic goddess in her

[@simonidastankovic2627]

BRAVO KATE ! Too bad you haven't done it earlier...and an entire album in Irish Gaelic, mother tongue of your mother's ancestors !!!

[@ispymarz]

Kate's a living doll!I fell in love with her and her voice the 1st time I heard her over 20 years ago...Wow!

[@Goo59ber]

I've just become a Kate Bush fan...again. Every time I get to see and hear her perfomances I'm hooked and enthralled all over again. Been a fan from the cassette days over 30 years.

[@jhverhoeven]

So beautifull

[@modigbeowulf5482]

I didn't know of this. It's made my day.

[@Ambienfinity]

God, she's wonderful. Everything Kate does has a midas touch about it. Her voice carries so much emotion and her music is unique.

[@daniel-m]

Cette artiste est juste magnifique et unique.

[@AmorrSummerstorm]

Cant understand any of this but it makes my heart ache

[@peterwright4224]

I have always loved her music as a kid she was just so important for me army dreamers! this song is In glaic so beutifull come on kate do something like this again

[@niallsheehan474]

at least make a tiny tiny effort to spell foreign words correctly ..............or STFU

[@michaelr939]

Crying! Reminds me of my Mother X

[@MrGothic78]

this composition is simply amazing...and her voice is the sweetest instrument playing... I luv thee Kate!!!!!

[@gerardjinks8743]

Irish is in her blood and soul, 💖💖🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@69Phuket]

Not bad for an Essex Girl. Kate's No 1 in my book!

[@carmenismyname]

Her mother is Irish

[@69Phuket]

Carmen Gonzalez That says it all! Thanks.

[@heliotropezzz333]

Her English side is from Kent not Essex.

[@69Phuket]

Whatever....You just made all the aspiring Essex Girls want to throw their white stilettos at you ! Nice One!

[@kurtsoderberg]

Trye out here french songs

[@1963921]

Beautifull Kate Bush, beautifull song, beautifull lenguage and I understand only one word - Eireann (Ireland)

[@conmad]

this song is so beautiful and Kate sings it so well, she has an angels voice

[@hildegerdhaugen7864]

Her musicianships is so superior.

[@jbooks888]

Hildegerd Haugen Och!

[@tudvalstone]

You can't do a simple search??? There are hundreds of live recordings of her.. she was the best of the best. Those countries you speak of... you can''t name one contemporary singer of note. You can't live off past glory forever. Their greats are long dead and buried.

[@hildegerdhaugen7864]

WalkingBlues I have known about your existence for about one minute, but I think I love you

[@chucks1255]

That's quiet flattering. I love you too fellow Kate Bush fan, well I love all Kate fan anyway.

[@kingoftadpoles]

First time I heard this I cried. This is the second time... guess what...

[@karldraven7642]

when i hear Kate's voice it brings back the times of when i first heard her music it got me so in to it that i had to buy one of her records which was running up that hill and from then on i have loved her music and never stopped loving it. I'm one big fan of hers

[@GLASGOWHOBO]

The most beautiful and talented woman on the planet.

[@mattski73]

I have just been made an Irish citizen, I am learning Irish, and I am a huge Kate Bush fan! So this is right up my street. Go hiontach ar fad!

[@petropavlovskkamchatskiy1917]

Omhairdgeas! Táim chomh bródúil nuair a fheicim eachtrannaigh ag foghlaim ár dteanga. Go raibh mile maith agat a cara.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

Congratulations. 👍

[@roberto4001000]

kate definitely looks like an irish cailin naturally beautiful

[@johndevenny3454]

Beautiful, like herself

[@usergently]

Still in love since 1979...God bless that woman, a genious, imitated but never close. Thanks! Kate...Slainte!

[@jamesmacoisdealbhaigh9904]

Her voice suits Irish/Celtic music to a tee :-)

[@andiefarren]

Beautiful

[@brianpeckett7724]

Unearthly and staggeringly beautiful. I don't want a translation, the mystery is part of the magic.

[@jerzysobkowicz3269]

Kate Bush, she is FANTASTIC💝🌹🌹🌹

[@Kazooka]

One of her most beautiful vocals! As a veteran KB fan (nearly 30 years now), I thank you for introducing me to this recording. Just exquisite in every way.

[@thelanarchist6912]

Kate sang this song on an album by the Irish musician Donal Lunny, who played bouzouki on Kate's Night of the Swallow. The song is called "Mná na hÉireann" which translates to "Women of Ireland". Thank you to those who mentioned the title of the song in their comments, really appreciated.

[@kerryg100]

not bad at all....... Greetingsfrom IRELAND 😉 salamat for this gem .

[@theuglyninja]

Kerry Evans wow u pinoy Tagalog

[@maureenmartin4730]

To our shame most Irish people don’t understand it… but she almost lets u know what it’s about with her wonderful rendition of the song. It’s about The women of Ireland…. ❤!!

[@shaolinsoccer7988]

THE BEAUTIFUL VOICES , FROM FRANCE

[@lankyangie96]

her pronunciation is good for someone who (as far as i know) doesnt speak irish

[@lankyangie96]

its just such a beautiful song, this brings me to tears every time! :')

[@seaghanobuadhaigh8240]

lankyangie96 Couldn't agree more. Shockingly good. IMHO her pronunciation is better (and more comprehensible!) than many non-native Gaelic-speaking Irish performers.

[@c18Rabbit]

lankyangie96 Her mother was Irish and she spoke Irish as a child

[@jbooks888]

lankyangie96 I read somewhere she consulted with some expert in the field to get the pronunciation right and spent a lot of time on it!

[@DeclanMulligan]

Mammy & Daddy Bush are from Wexford.

[@kimjohnellis698]

she's half Irish I suppose that's where she gets her dark beauty from

[@keithrose6931]

We have dark beauty in England too .

[@newsman47]

this only proves what a superb artist she is I don't know a word of gaelic and it brought tears to my eyes

[@happymusic1832]

thank you, thank you VERY MUCH FOR THIS REAL GEM!!!! It's priceless.

[@ghost37217]

even nowadays there are still some rare moments in life when you think there is a god. this song is one of those moments.

[@derrycummins1260]

Just thought you might like to know, Kate in fact is the holder of an Irish passport thanks to here parental heritage.

[@garethevans2912]

Beautiful.

[@coreycox2345]

She reminds me of my dad. Brilliant.