Ár gCultúr Beo / Our Living Culture
Air: Oro Se do Bheatha Abhaile
Author: D. Barron
Singers: Carlow Storytellers
Dublin Core
Title
Ár gCultúr Beo / Our Living Culture
Air: Oro Se do Bheatha Abhaile
Author: D. Barron
Singers: Carlow Storytellers
Air: Oro Se do Bheatha Abhaile
Author: D. Barron
Singers: Carlow Storytellers
Subject
Theme: Pride in our native culture
Description
Location: County Carlow
CHORUS
Óro, Ár gcultúr gleoite, (our beautiful culture)
Óro, our culture’s growing,
Óro, ár gcultúr beomhar, (our living culture)
Alive and beo in Carlow. (well)
They tried to take our culture from us,
Tried to force their culture on us;
But our fathers placed a geasa on us: (obligation)
To save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
They told us that we had to change,
To leave our past on a previous page;
But we’ll save our ways for the coming age:
We’ll save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
The rambling house was the place to meet
But in recent years its fate looked bleak;
Some kept our old Way’s heart abeat
And saved our ancient ways.
CHORUS
They thought we’d fade with modern fashions
We love our culture with great passion;
We’ll always care for our great tradition
And we’ll save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
________________________
The Celtic Irish oral tradition of music and song has faced many challenges to its survival, from Penal Laws to changing trends and fashions. At one time mocked and derided, it was always kept alive in the rambling houses and by people who loved their traditions. Now, the ancient culture is growing strong again, not only holding its own but growing in popularity.
The song Óro, Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile was about restoration of freedom and culture; it seems appropriate to match these words with the old melody.
CURFÁ
Óró ár gcultúr gleoite,
Óró ár gcultúr spleodrach,
Óró ár gcultúr beomhar,
Beo faoi bhláth I gCatharlach.
Ba mhian leo ár gcultúr a mhagadh,
A gcultúr féin a bhrú orainn,
Ach chuir ár sinsear geasa orainn:
Ár sean oidhreacht a shábháil.
CURFÁ
Chuir siad brú orainn chun athrú,
Sean stair ár dtír a thréigean,
Ach tá ár stair I seilbh againn
Do glúnta óga nua.
CURFÁ
Ba theach bothánaíocht áit cruinniú,
Le déanaí bhí a ról ag laghdú
Ach choimeád laochra an seancleachtadh
Chun oidhreacht sean a chleachtadh.
CURFÁ
Cheapadh go múchfadh faisean nua
Ár sean cultúr: ba mhór an trua.
Tá meas mór ar ár oidhreacht ársa:
Tá ár gcultúr slán sabháilte.
CURFÁ x2
CHORUS
Óro, Ár gcultúr gleoite, (our beautiful culture)
Óro, our culture’s growing,
Óro, ár gcultúr beomhar, (our living culture)
Alive and beo in Carlow. (well)
They tried to take our culture from us,
Tried to force their culture on us;
But our fathers placed a geasa on us: (obligation)
To save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
They told us that we had to change,
To leave our past on a previous page;
But we’ll save our ways for the coming age:
We’ll save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
The rambling house was the place to meet
But in recent years its fate looked bleak;
Some kept our old Way’s heart abeat
And saved our ancient ways.
CHORUS
They thought we’d fade with modern fashions
We love our culture with great passion;
We’ll always care for our great tradition
And we’ll save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
________________________
The Celtic Irish oral tradition of music and song has faced many challenges to its survival, from Penal Laws to changing trends and fashions. At one time mocked and derided, it was always kept alive in the rambling houses and by people who loved their traditions. Now, the ancient culture is growing strong again, not only holding its own but growing in popularity.
The song Óro, Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile was about restoration of freedom and culture; it seems appropriate to match these words with the old melody.
CURFÁ
Óró ár gcultúr gleoite,
Óró ár gcultúr spleodrach,
Óró ár gcultúr beomhar,
Beo faoi bhláth I gCatharlach.
Ba mhian leo ár gcultúr a mhagadh,
A gcultúr féin a bhrú orainn,
Ach chuir ár sinsear geasa orainn:
Ár sean oidhreacht a shábháil.
CURFÁ
Chuir siad brú orainn chun athrú,
Sean stair ár dtír a thréigean,
Ach tá ár stair I seilbh againn
Do glúnta óga nua.
CURFÁ
Ba theach bothánaíocht áit cruinniú,
Le déanaí bhí a ról ag laghdú
Ach choimeád laochra an seancleachtadh
Chun oidhreacht sean a chleachtadh.
CURFÁ
Cheapadh go múchfadh faisean nua
Ár sean cultúr: ba mhór an trua.
Tá meas mór ar ár oidhreacht ársa:
Tá ár gcultúr slán sabháilte.
CURFÁ x2
Creator
D. Barron
Publisher
From Carlow Streams
Files
Collection
Citation
D. Barron, “Ár gCultúr Beo / Our Living Culture
Air: Oro Se do Bheatha Abhaile
Author: D. Barron
Singers: Carlow Storytellers,” From Carlow Streams, accessed October 7, 2026, https://fromcarlowstreams.ie/items/show/32.