Ireland's Call
Encyclopedia
Ireland's Call is a song commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union
for use at international Rugby Union fixtures.It has since also been adopted by the Irish Hockey
, Cricket, Rugby League
and A1GP teams
.
(both Northern Ireland
as well as the Republic of Ireland
).
While "Amhrán na bhFiann
" ("The Soldier's Song") is the national anthem
of the Republic of Ireland, its use arouses sensitivities among those with Unionist
sympathies in Northern Ireland.
Equally, the national anthem of Northern Ireland, as part of the United Kingdom
, is God Save The Queen
, which is sensitive among those with Nationalist
sympathies.
At matches played in the Republic, both Amhrán na bhFiann (as the anthem of the Republic of Ireland) and Ireland's Call (as the anthem of the home (Irish) team) are sung. Elsewhere, Ireland's Call is the only anthem used in recognition of the need for a unifying anthem.
At most games today, only the first verse is sung, followed by the chorus in the same key. The chorus is then repeated in a higher key; at the end, the last line is repeated.
The song was written by Phil Coulter
in 1995. He composed it because he loved hearing a combination of the Irish accents singing together.
It was first broadcast simultaneously in Northern Ireland
on the Kelly
show and in the Republic of Ireland
on Gay Byrne
's Late Late Show, sung by Andrew Strong
, singer in the film The Commitments
, accompanied by Portadown Male Voice Choir. Phil has rewritten the lyrics to be sung in the Celtic Thunder
singing tour, where he has collaborated with Sharon Browne, the Original Producer of Celtic Woman
. The rewritten lyrics have a somewhat more martial theme, with lines like "meet our destiny with glory" and "Till our final requiem is spoken"
Since its creation, there has been an ongoing debate in Irish society over the song – both in terms of its political suitability, and in terms of the quality of the composition. This tends to come to a head during each Rugby World Cup
– the only time the Irish team plays a succession of matches away from home, and hence, when Ireland's Call is most prominently used.
However, in the wake of Ireland's game against England at Croke Park
in the 2007 Six Nations championship
, commentators in the Irish media talked about how powerful the rendition of the anthem was: “Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland's Call were belted out with such hair-raising intensity that men and women were crying as they sang.”
Come the power and the glory
We have come to answer our country's call
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We'll answer Ireland's call
From the rugged hills of Galway
From the walls of Limerick and Dublin Bay
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
Vowing never to be broken
We will fight until we can fight no more
For the four proud provinces of Ireland
Steadfast souls confront their challenge
'Neath the glass sky they assemble
For the four proud provinces of Ireland
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
for use at international Rugby Union fixtures.It has since also been adopted by the Irish Hockey
Ireland national field hockey team
Ireland national field hockey team represents Ireland at men's international field hockey. It is organised by the Irish Hockey Association. Usually the team represents the entire island of Ireland and plays under a special flag. The exception is Olympic hockey, where the team represents only the...
, Cricket, Rugby League
Ireland national rugby league team
The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represent the island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organized by Rugby League Ireland and are accredited as an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation...
and A1GP teams
A1 Team Ireland
A1 Team Ireland is the Irish team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series. The team were the A1 Grand Prix champions for the fourth season, 2008-09.- The Team :...
.
Overview
In each case the team represents the whole island of IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(both Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
as well as the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
).
While "Amhrán na bhFiann
Amhrán na bhFiann
is the national anthem of Ireland. The music was composed by Peadar Kearney and Patrick Heeney, and the original English lyrics were authored by Kearney. It is sung in the Irish language translation made by Liam Ó Rinn. The song has three verses, but the national anthem consists of the chorus only...
" ("The Soldier's Song") is the national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of the Republic of Ireland, its use arouses sensitivities among those with Unionist
Unionism in Ireland
Unionism in Ireland is an ideology that favours the continuation of some form of political union between the islands of Ireland and Great Britain...
sympathies in Northern Ireland.
Equally, the national anthem of Northern Ireland, as part of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, is God Save The Queen
God Save the Queen
"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
, which is sensitive among those with Nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
sympathies.
At matches played in the Republic, both Amhrán na bhFiann (as the anthem of the Republic of Ireland) and Ireland's Call (as the anthem of the home (Irish) team) are sung. Elsewhere, Ireland's Call is the only anthem used in recognition of the need for a unifying anthem.
At most games today, only the first verse is sung, followed by the chorus in the same key. The chorus is then repeated in a higher key; at the end, the last line is repeated.
The song was written by Phil Coulter
Phil Coulter
Phil Coulter is an artist with an international reputation as a successful songwriter, pianist, music producer, arranger and director. His success has spanned four decades and he is one of the biggest record sellers in Ireland...
in 1995. He composed it because he loved hearing a combination of the Irish accents singing together.
It was first broadcast simultaneously in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
on the Kelly
Gerry Kelly (broadcaster)
Gerry Kelly is a broadcaster from Northern Ireland. He is best known for his presenting career at UTV.-Broadcasting career:...
show and in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
on Gay Byrne
Gay Byrne
Gabriel Mary "Gay" Byrne is a veteran Irish presenter of radio and television. His most notable role was first host of The Late Late Show over a 37-year period spanning 1962 until 1999...
's Late Late Show, sung by Andrew Strong
Andrew Strong
Andrew Strong is an Irish singer and the son of Irish musician and singing coach Robert Strong. He grew up in Naas, Co Kildare. He starred as Deco Cuffe in the 1991 cult film The Commitments, based on the book by Roddy Doyle, having been cast at only 16 years of age with a voice sounding much older...
, singer in the film The Commitments
The Commitments (film)
The Commitments , the soundtrack for the film, was released on 13 Aug 1991. "Mustang Sally" was released as a single. Most of the songs on the album are performed by the cast band, but two are by Irish singer Niamh Kavanagh.-Track listing:-Chart positions:-The Commitments, Vol...
, accompanied by Portadown Male Voice Choir. Phil has rewritten the lyrics to be sung in the Celtic Thunder
Celtic Thunder
Celtic Thunder is a singing group composed of male soloists who perform both solo and ensemble numbers. Celtic Thunder debuted in August 2007 at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland...
singing tour, where he has collaborated with Sharon Browne, the Original Producer of Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman is an all-female musical ensemble conceived and assembled by Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance...
. The rewritten lyrics have a somewhat more martial theme, with lines like "meet our destiny with glory" and "Till our final requiem is spoken"
Since its creation, there has been an ongoing debate in Irish society over the song – both in terms of its political suitability, and in terms of the quality of the composition. This tends to come to a head during each Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
– the only time the Irish team plays a succession of matches away from home, and hence, when Ireland's Call is most prominently used.
However, in the wake of Ireland's game against England at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
in the 2007 Six Nations championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
, commentators in the Irish media talked about how powerful the rendition of the anthem was: “Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland's Call were belted out with such hair-raising intensity that men and women were crying as they sang.”
Lyrics
At most rugby matches, only the first verse is sung, followed by the chorus in the same key. After a bridge, the chorus is then repeated in a higher key.Verse 1
Come the day and come the hourCome the power and the glory
We have come to answer our country's call
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
Chorus
Ireland, IrelandTogether standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We'll answer Ireland's call
Verse 2
From the mighty glens of AntrimFrom the rugged hills of Galway
From the walls of Limerick and Dublin Bay
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
Verse 3
Hearts of steel and heads unbowingVowing never to be broken
We will fight until we can fight no more
For the four proud provinces of Ireland
Verse 4
Erin's warriors, clad in emeraldSteadfast souls confront their challenge
'Neath the glass sky they assemble
For the four proud provinces of Ireland
Other rugby match songs
- Flower of ScotlandFlower of ScotlandFlower of Scotland is a Scottish song, used frequently at special occasions and sporting events. Although there is no official national anthem of Scotland, Flower of Scotland is one of a number of songs which unofficially fulfil this role, along with the older Scots Wha Hae, Scotland the Brave...
- La MarseillaiseLa Marseillaise"La Marseillaise" is the national anthem of France. The song, originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin" was written and composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. The French National Convention adopted it as the Republic's anthem in 1795...
- Il Canto degli ItalianiIl Canto degli ItalianiIl Canto degli Italiani is the Italian national anthem. It is best known among Italians as Inno di Mameli , after the author of the lyrics, or Fratelli d'Italia , from its opening line...
- The Fields of AthenryThe Fields of Athenry"The Fields of Athenry" is an Irish folk ballad set during the Great Irish Famine about a fictional man named Michael from near Athenry in County Galway who has been sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, Australia, for stealing food for his starving family...
- Swing Low, Sweet ChariotSwing Low, Sweet Chariot"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a historic African-American spiritual. The first recording was in 1909, by the Fisk Jubilee Singers of Fisk University....
- Molly MaloneMolly Malone"Molly Malone" is a popular song, set in Dublin, Ireland, which has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin City....
- Cwm RhonddaCwm RhonddaCwm Rhondda, the Welsh name for the Rhondda Valley, is a popular hymn tune written by John Hughes and first performed in 1907. It is often erroneously called Bread of Heaven and is usually used in English as a setting for William Williams's text Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah , originally...
- Waltzing MatildaWaltzing Matilda"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad. A country folk song, the song has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia"....
- Hen Wlad fy NhadauHen Wlad Fy NhadauHen Wlad Fy Nhadau is the national anthem of Wales. The title – taken from the first words of the song – means "Old Land of My Fathers", usually rendered in English as simply "Land of My Fathers". The words were written by Evan James and the tune composed by his son, James James, both residents...
- Land of Hope and GloryLand of Hope and Glory"Land of Hope and Glory" is a British patriotic song, with music by Edward Elgar and lyrics by A. C. Benson, written in 1902.- Composition :...
- God Save The QueenGod Save the Queen"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...