Fionnuala GillWhispers of Love

— To the listener...Even as a small child I was aware that something special happens when we sing... a song can guide us from the head to the heart in an instant.

The gift of being a sensitive soul with a beautiful voice has been both a blessing and a challenge for me, and the responsibility of using such gifts wisely has sometimes brought me on a road less travelled, where I have had to face much darkness as well as light. But the mighty Oak starts its life as the acorn in the darkness of earth and so too have my gifts been deepening and refining over the years, as I have come, day by day, to live each precious moment with more awareness and love for the person I am in all my humanness. Perhaps in the end, this is the real gift that I have been given - to sing from that place of presence and honesty that connects us all... the heart.

This album took its first tentative steps into the world a few years ago, the inclusion of two recently recorded bonus tracks reflecting the ongoing journey that is ‘Whispers of Love’. I know first hand that music can take us to the precious place of presence and stillness beyond words, and so I hope that these songs will bring light where there is darkness and peace to many hearts.

Blessings,FionnualaDublin, Spring 2012

1. The MagicRonan Hardiman / Frank Musker

If you believe in the magic,Find all the wonder you seek,

Break the dark spell that you’re under,Follow me, follow me.

If you would swim with the dolphins,Fly with the eagles, be free,

Slip through the eye of a needleCome follow me, follow me.

I am your dream,I am the light you will beAnd I will set you free,

Come follow me, follow me.

How can I smile when you’re crying?How can I dance when you crawl?

I’ll give you wings when you’re falling,Follow me, follow me

ChorusI am your dream,

I am the light you will beAnd I will set you free

Look in your heart and you’ll see,That I am your dream,

I am the love you will beAnd I will set you free,

Come follow me, follow me,Come follow me, follow me.

If you believe in the magicNothing can stand in your way.Open your heart to the wonder,

Just let it take you away…. 

Chorus

2. An Mhaighdéan MharaTrad., Arr. Mark Armstrong

Is cosúil gur mheath túnó gur thréig tú an greannTá an sneachta go frasach

fá bhéal na mbeann’Do chúl buí daiteis do bhéilín sámh

Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidhis í i ndiaidh an Éirne ‘shnámh

‘A mháithrín mhilis,‘dúirt Máire Bhán

Fá bhruach an chladaighis fá bhéal na trá

‘Maighdean mharamo mháithrín ard’

Siúd chugaibh Mary Chinidhis í i ndiaidh an Éirne ‘shnámh

Tá mise tuirseachagus beidh go lá

Mo Mháire bhruinneallis mo Phádraig bánAr bharr na dtonnta

is fá bhéal na tráSiúd chugaibh Mary Chinidhis í i ndiaidh an Éirne ‘shnámh

You seem to be piningand forsaking the fun

The snowdrifts are heavyby the fords in the burn

Your bright golden tressesand smile gentle and mildI give you Mary Kinney

who has swum the ocean wide 

“Darling mother,”said Máire Bhán

From the banks of the oceanand down by the tide

“Mermaid,my mother, my pride”

I give you Mary Kinneywho has swum the ocean wide

I’m tired and wearyand will be ‘til dawnFor my darling Maryand my Pádraig bán

As I ride on the billowsand drift with the tide

I give you Mary Kinney who has swum the ocean wide

3. PrayerRolf Løvland / Fionnuala Sherry

4. Winter, Fire & SnowBrendan Graham / MacDara Woods

Hush – lay down your trouble mindThe day has vanished and left us behindAnd the wind, whispering soft lullabies

Will sooth, so close your weary eyes 

Let your arms enfold usThrough the dark of nightWill your angels hold us

‘til we see the light 

Sleep, angels will watch over youAnd soon beautiful dreams will come trueCan you feel spirits embracing your soul

So dream, while secrets of darkness unfold

Let your arms enfold usThrough the dark of nightWill your angels hold us

‘til we see the light

In winter fire is beautiful,Beautiful like a song

In winter snow is beautifulAll of the winter long. 

You little sonCome safely home

Riding the tail of the windMay you always come this safely home

In winter, fire and snow. 

The day gets dark uneasilyDarker and darker still

And you are gone to carnivalAnd I feel the winter chill 

You little sonCome safely home

Riding the tail of the windMay you always come this safely home

In winter, fire and snow 

5. One I LoveJean Ritchie

One, I loveTwo, I love

Three, she’s true to me

All of my friends fell out with meBecause I kept your company

But let them say whatever they willI love my love with a free good will

They tell me he’s poor, they tell me he’s youngI tell them all to hold their tongue

If they could part the sand from the seaThey never could part my love from me

It’s over the mountain he must goBecause his fortune is so low

With an aching heart and a troubled mindHe’s leaving his own true love behind

When I’m awake I find no restUntil his head lies on my breast

And when I’m asleep I’m dreaming ofMy one, my dear, my own true love

When the fire to ice will runAnd when the tide no longer turnsWhen the rocks melt with the sun

My love for you will have just begun

6. SonaRolf Løvland / Mick O’Brien

Ag breacadh an lae do chumar ag siúlaoibhneas an tsaoil amach romhainn

clocha draíochta chomh geal lenár súilecasán ag glioscarnach dúinn

Suaimhneas na coillte is ceol inár gcroíthemacalla fuaim an tsrutháin

duilleoga fómhar mar ghuth ar an ngaothsé nádúr is cúis lenár ngrá

A’ taisteal sa choill seo ar fán is ar fuaidreamhréalta geala eolais ag lonradh don rí

A’ taisteal sa choill seo ar fán is ar fuaidreamhclocha bána ag lasadh ár slí

Anois tá réalta a’ rince sa spéiris an saol ina gcodladh go sámhaislingí áille i ngairdín mo rún

brionglóidí thart orainn ar snámhSúile síor lasta le solassúile faoi gheasa na rún

taibhreamh ar sheoda an ghairdíniontais nach sceithfear go buan

At break of day we went strollingwith the treasures of the world lying ahead,

Magic stones as bright as our eyeslighting a path before us

The peace of the woods was music to our heartsechoing the sound of the streams,

Autumn leaves - the voice on the windas nature is the source of our love 

Bright stars of knowledge shining for the kingTravelling in this forest like a lost soul,

Lovely visions in the secret gardenof dreams floating all around us 

Now stars are dancing in the skywhile the world is quietly sleeping,

Beautiful dreams in the garden of my loveBright stones lighting our way Eyes ever shining with light

Eyes under a secret spellDreaming of the jewels in the gardenof wonders that will never be revealed

7. Mo Ghile MearTrad., Arr. Mark Armstrong

Seal dá rabhas im’ mhaighdeán shéimh‘S anois i m’ bhaintreach chaite thréith

Mo chéile ag treabhadh na dtonn go tréanDe bharr na gcnoc is i n-imigcéin

Bímse buan ar buairt gach ló,Ag caoi go cruaidh ‘s ag tuar na ndeorMar scaoileadh uaim an buachaill beo

‘S ní ríomhtar tuairisc uaidh, mo bhrón

Cúrfa‘Sé mo laoch, mo Ghile Mear

‘Sé mo Chaesar, Gile MearSuan ná séan ní bhfuaireas féin

Ó chuaigh i gcéin mo Ghile Mear

Ní labhrann cuach go suairc ar nóinIs níl guth gadhair i gcoillte cnó

Ná maidin shamhraidh i ngleanntáin cheoighÓ d’imigh uaim an buachaill beo

Seinntear stair ar chláirsigh cheoilIs líontair táinte cárt ar bord

Le hintinn ard gan chaim, gan cheoChun saol is sláinte d’fhagháil dom leon

For a while I was a gentle maidenAnd now a spent worn-out widow

My spouse ploughing the waves strongly Over the hills and far away

I am sad all day longCrying bitterly and shedding many tearsBecause my loved one, my hero has gone

And we had no news from him, alas

ChorusHe is my hero, my dashing darlingHe is my Caesar, dashing darlingI’ve had no rest from forebodingsSince he went far away my darling 

The cuckoo sings not pleasantly at noon And the sound of hounds is not heard in nut woods

Nor summer morning in misty glenSince he went away from me, my lively boy

Let a strain be played on musical harps And let many quarts be filled

With high spirit without fault or mist For life and health to toast my lion

8. Shining WaterMichael McGlynn

9. I Know You By HeartDiane Scanlon / Eve Nelson

Shining water, silent daughter, face turn from the sunGuiding light through silver night, your songs blend into one.Crystal morning dew is forming, falling through the trees,Deep inside your simple guidance whispers on the breeze.

Danú, Danú, Danú, Danú, Dé

Radiant fire on distant mountains guide your voice to mePatterns of eternal light that set my spirit free.

Dreams of ancient silent forests, visions of the pastFill my thoughts, caress my mind and call for me at last. 

Danú, Danú, Danú, Danú, Dé

Silent daughter, shining waters turn against the sunGolden flight from silver night the songs blend into one.

As the evening mists are forming, falling through the treesFill my thoughts, caress my mind, I hear you call to me. 

Danú, Danú, Danú, Danú, Dé

Midnights in winter, the glowing fire,Lights up your face, in orange and gold.

I see you sweet smile, shine through the darkness,Its line is etched in my memory,

So I’d know you by heart.

Mornings in April, sharing our secrets,We’d walk until the morning was gone.

We were like children, laughing for hours,The joy you gave me lives on and on,

‘Cos I know you by heart.

I still hear your voice on warm summer nights,Whispering like the wind

You left in autumn, the leaves were turning,I walked down roads of orange and gold.

I saw your sweet smile, I heard your laughterYou’re still, beside me, everyday,

‘Cos I know you by heart 

10. Suantraí Ár SlánaitheoiraTrad., Arr. Fintan O’Carroll

Mo ghaol, mo ghrá ‘gus m’eudail thúMo stóirín úr is m’fhéirín thú

Mo mhacán aluinn scéimheach thúChan fiú mé féin bheith ‘d dhàil

Alelùia, alelùiaAlelùia, alelùia

Cé gur leanbh dibli thúCinnt’ is Rí na Ríthe thú

An t-Oighre dlítheach fíor is túAr Ríocht Dé na nGrást

Alelùia, alelùiaAlelùia, alelùia

My love and tender one are youMy sweet and lovely son are youYou are my love, you are my gift

Unworthy, I of you

Alleluia, alleluia,Alleluia, alleluia,

Though a tender child are youSurely you’re the King of Kings

You are the true KingGod, the Lord of Graces.

 Alleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluia

11. A Mhuire na nGrásTrad / Music: Fionnuala Gill & Mark Armstrong

A Mhuire na nGrásA Mháthair Mhic Dé

Go gcuire túar mo leas mé

Go sábhála tú méAr gach uile olc

Go sábhála tú méIdir anam is corpGo sábhála tú méAr muir is ar tír

Go sábhála tú méAr leac na bpian

Garda na n-aingealOs mo chionnDia romham

Agus Dia liom

Mary most gracefulMother of Christ,

Guard me and guide meAll of my life. 

Keep me I beg you,From all darkness

Save I ask you,My body and soul.

Guard me on oceansOn dry land as well

Keep me, my motherSafe in your care.

The protection of angelsAbove my headGod before me

And God within me.

12. IfDavid Gates

If a picture paints a thousand words,  then why can’t I paint you?  

The words would never show,  the you I’ve come to know . . .  

 If a face could launch a thousand ships,  

then where am I to go?  There’s no one home but you,  you’re all that’s left me to . . .  

 And when my love for life  

is running dry,  You come and pour  yourself on me . . .  

 If a man could be two places at one time,  

I’d be with you,  tomorrow and today,  

beside you all the way . . .   

If the world should stop revolving,  Spinning slowly down to die,  

I’d spend the end with you  when the world was through . . .  

 Then one by one  

the stars would all go out . . .  Then you and I  

would simply fly away!

12. IfDavid Gates

If a picture paints a thousand words,  then why can’t I paint you?  

The words would never show,  the you I’ve come to know . . .  

 If a face could launch a thousand ships,  

then where am I to go?  There’s no one home but you,  you’re all that’s left me to . . .  

 And when my love for life  

is running dry,  You come and pour  yourself on me . . .  

 If a man could be two places at one time,  

I’d be with you,  tomorrow and today,  

beside you all the way . . .   

If the world should stop revolving,  Spinning slowly down to die,  

I’d spend the end with you  when the world was through . . .  

 Then one by one  

the stars would all go out . . .  Then you and I  

would simply fly away!

13. Sí GaoitheDeirdre Ní Chinnéide

14. The Cloths of HeavenWords: William Butler Yeats

Music: Fionnuala Gill & Dónal O’Connor

Arise, mo chroí, is éist leis an ghaothFad a mhairimid beo, fad a mhairimid beo

(Arise, my dear, and listen to the windAs long as we do live, as long as we do live)

Bhur gceol, scaoiligí, ag lonnradh leis an ghaothFad a mhairimid beo, fad a mhairimid beo

(Your music, release, shining in the windAs long as we do live, as long as we do live)

Do anam, do ghlór, na haingil go leor,Ag casadh leat i lár do chroí, Ag casadh leat i lár do chroí

(Your soul, your voice, the angels all,Sing with you in the centre of your heart, sing with you in the

centre of your heart)

Do Anam, do ghlórDo Anam, do ghlór

(Your soul, your voice,Your soul, your voice)

Oh, listen ‘til you see, all that you can beSoul sings peacefully, soul sings peacefully

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,Enwrought with golden and silverlight,

The blue and the dim and the dark clothsOf night and light and the half-light,

I would spread the cloths under your feet:But I, being poor, have only my dreams;

I have spread my dreams under your feet;Tread softly for you tread on my dreams.

MusiciansFionnuala Gill - Vocals, Irish Harp; Mark Armstrong - Piano, Programming; Fionnuala Sherry - Violin; Drazen Derek - Guitars; Ellen Cranitch - Whistles; Martin Johnson - Cello; Andreja Malir - Harp; Dónal O’Connor - Piano, Keyboards

Tracks 1 – 12Arranged & produced by Mark ArmstrongEngineered & mastered by Bobby Boughton at Richmond Studios, Dublin

Tracks 13 – 14Produced by Dónal O’Connorat Seachrán Studios, BelfastArranged by Gill & O’ConnorEngineered by Dónal O’ConnorMastered by Cormac Ó Catháinat Rhubarb Recording

Fionnuala Sherry appears courtesy of Universal Music Group

ArtworkAlbum photography: my thanks to Jennie Martin; Ronnie Norton; Steve Averill; Christy McNamara; Barry McCabe; Rhyna McCarthy; Woodard Photography; ‘Wheat fields’ photograph courtesy of sarahjjay at stock.xchng; sleeve design by Robbi McMillen

Buíochas ó Chroí le...Heartfelt thanks to...My ever-supportive parents Michael & Anne, and all my precious family & friends; all the musicians who contributed their talents in the making of this album; Mark Armstrong; Bobby Boughton; Ciaran Nagle; Fionnuala Sherry; Dónal O’Connor; Cormac Ó Catháin; Ian Masterson; the genius Robbi McMillen; and finally, the mindfulness community that inspires and sustains me.

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For Danny & Luna