An raibh tú ar an gCarraig (Were you on the rock) - Liam O Maonlai ft. The Swell Season

[Skerries12]

he's so full of shit. Liam and attention-seeking Glen Hansard.

[MerlePsyA]

This is lovely, haunting, a fine rendition of a lovely song. But not sean nos singing style. Sean nos does not use vocal dynamics to convey emotion, as this singer does. Sean nos conveys emotion through melismatic decoration of notes. Sean nos maintains an even intonation; no variation in loudness or softness. And sean nos would not be accompanied by this instrumental style either. This does not have to be traditional sean nos style to sound beautiful, however. It is beautiful.

[washy21]

I have to comment again: this is one of the most incredible pieces of music I have ever heard performed. Thanks Liam.

[conherradura2]

Hauntingly beautiful.

[Brookeyp123]

This is my favouritre song in the world.

[d777md]

liam for IRish president

[Brookeyp123]

oh my god

[Brookeyp123]

oh my god

this is unreal

[whisky110]

This man sings a tender song very well. I've seen Liam (and Hothouse Flowers) many times over the past twenty or so years and this is a soulful voice that never fails to raise many emotions. Fair play to Marketa and Glen too, the Swell Season project and the movie 'One' also contain many soulful and beautiful performances too.

[plaveoci2]

So much feeling, soul. Thank you for sharing this video. The singing is at times similar to the sami people in northern Scandinavia.

[Brookeyp123]

What isthis concert??? and why was i not invited! gosh just discovered Liam, though I already love the Swell Season adn he is just beautifl. pure heaven.

[kennyfitzma]

go haileann ar fad!

[CF0900]

7/8 bodhrán rhythm would be amaxingly fitting here!!

[ejecutivomaldito]

what

[pdogg182]

what a legend!

[bradmyster94]

@koru2 I dont mean to contradict you but I wouldn't necessarily call this Sean Nos because Sean nos is a kind of singing without accompaniment and has no set melody and unless Liam is just improving and singing aloing with what he's playing i doubt its proper Sean Nos.

[muzikizlife10]

What a beautiful story and song. The piano resinates.

[washy21]

So very moving.

[iamearthbornami]

love this so much~thankyou for sharing

[cianthecelt]

the apitomy of beautiful irish baladry........words cant describe, maith on far liam

[LiamFoley2011]

Absolutely stirring.

[iamearthbornami]

absolutely fabulous

[Tessietots]

Could it get any more beautiful than this?? It evokes such emotion for me...

[Tessietots]

So beautiful!  Goosepimples all over.. Very moving.

[XthemermaidfanclubX]

ag an means at

[frankysandwich]

dont go! don't leave me now now now

[iamearthbornami]

this is beautiful beyond words~thankyou

[theyeahyeahjanna]

I can't stop listening to this song. This is not just a song,.. somehow it's so much more.

[theyeahyeahjanna]

wow he' s very good.

[LadyStonecut]

Gaelic music is some of the oldest music on the planet. It united the Celts. It would not surprise me if it influenced other cultures.

Gaelic music is some of the oldest on the planet. It United the Celtic people. It would not surprise me if it influenced other cultures, From the Celtic Mummies they found in China to America where they found Gaelic Oghm writing on the stones along with the NewGrange swirls.

[Khanstorm]

God the atmosphere that he draws out of those piano keys....no words can really do it justice. If I could just have a drop of that genuine emotion lol.

(I'm still learning Irish and could only make out a couple of words here and there, so I can't comment on that portion and do any justice.)

[carollizc]

Not all of us have the language; for my own sake, I was glad of the intro so that I understood what it was about.

[MurdFlum]

This doesn't sound anything like Native American music. Try listening to more of it. This is beautiful though.

[ellenfar]

Liam has "it"

[FiddleWannabe]

The story is very interesting. Love Irish or Gaelic language too!

[Irishbear9]

why do people have to reduce everything to what they know?

[toooldtodie]

greetings from Denez Prigent (he is mainly known as a performer of song - with Lisa Gerrad - from Ridley Scotts' movie 'Black Hawk Down')

[toooldtodie]

perfect rendition, i like a way he plays the piano; it's a great pleasure to look @ Marketa's and Glen's faces when they do like an audience

[Frankieireland]

hansard nodding like he has a clue as to what liam is talking about....can't even say thank you properly in irish, as evidenced through his oscar acceptance speech.

[jockeyshortz84]

There is no "Native American " Influence --this style of singing is primal like their music and that sound was brought to appalachia and the American South ---the pitch and wail of the song sounds strange coming from a European but It is 100 per cent European soul music if you will

[fransoayDlak]

Just great.i haven´t any words.

[droftreeology]

wow. that piano makes the song sound so broad and profound.

and that vocalizing is definitely influenced by native american music.

pretty cool. i love how he takes different styles of ethnic music and uses them and makes it personal. he inspires me to no end!

[koru2]

Nope, no native American influences. That's a very very old Irish way of singing called ' Sean Nos '. They are very similar but it's a style all of it's own.

[droftreeology]

oh yeah, definitely, i know this is sean nós, but when he is just improvising and a little, the way his vocals get kind of barky sounds native american. the rest of the music is pretty irish sounding.

so it definitely reminded me a bit of native american music, even if he wasn't influenced by it.

[koru2]

Gave it another listen and have to agree, the improvising has a definite Native American sound, I stand corrected and happily so. Just as a point of interest, heard some stuff recorded way back of an old woman on the Aran islands " keening ", sounded exactly like an old Native American woman singing. Just makes you realize that people all over the world are not so different. Very cool stuff.

[droftreeology]

hehe! :D

wow, that's really cool! i'll have to listen to some of that.

[k0vert]

@koru2 Yerp. Sean Nos translates to "Old Style" and some people think it's related to similar styles all throughout coastal European peoples all the way down to North Africa. Do some research, I'm sure you'll be fascinated. And I'm talking ANCIENT relations.

[neilhosey]

just a small mistake with the title... its called were you AT the rock.... and in irish "an bhfuil tú AG an carraig"... just a small change but theres a difference, you didnt stand on mass rocks :)

[Tadhg64]

He does sing it as "ar" though.

[flyingvigil]

beautifull song, excellent  musician!

[conors90]

amhran as den chead scoth

[taaffejo]

I learnt this song in primary school and still to this day, no matter how often I listen to it, it gives me shivers....this is such a fantastic performance of a beautiful piece!

[foofan606]

Liam = amazing!! Saw him tonight with the swell season... speechless!

[layylavictoria]

this is a kind of music that makes you wish not to breathe for the time it is playing - it is too beautiful to be disturbed. Amazing.

[partisan72]

Beautiful song...Beautiful beyond words...

[Subminiman]

Combined with a recent trip to Ireland, and prehistoric carvings at Knoth, and my wonderful Native American companion that appreciates piano, history, and respect, and Ireland, and struggle to rise - this was her wake up to welcome in her Christmas Eve. The beauty is universal and timeless. Thank you. Now if she wanted Dominic the Christmas Donkey, come looking for a solo male.

[tooshelby]

Amazing! What an artist!

[themaush]

I was moved to the bottom of my heart. I was born in Ireland, never lived there and was taken back to roots I obviously have.

[womanatwittsend]

OMG Glen the gifts you shared since Once, as I walk your many paths and trails via YouTube. Tonite you led me here to Liam and what a special place to be this is. I'll return again. No doubt. Blessings upon you both.

[HelenaHification]

@womanatwittsend

fully agree with you, kinda same path

[Oldwino2]

This song has haunted me since I heard it here.

[hugohilario]

Agree with you

[sounicka42]

OMG thank you thank you thank you! I was so desperate because I couldn't find it so I recorded it onto my mp3 player directly from the TV in such a crappy quality... but anyway, it sounds even better when you can see him performing, he is so amazing, I love him

[dissonantsonorant]

If this video could be updated with the title of the song, it's an "An raibh tú ar an gCarraig" ("Were you on the rock")

Another A+ performance from Ó Maonlai.

[srahman24]

Thanks for the title!  I've updated it :)

[Tuigim]

An raibh tú ar an gcarraig nó an bhfaca tú féin mo ghrá?

Nó an bhfaca tú gile agus finne agus scéimh na mná?

Nó an bhfaca tú an t-ull ba chumhra is ba mhilse bláth?

Nó an bhfaca tú mo vaillintín nó an bhfuil sí a cloí mar 'táim?

Do bhíos-sa ar an gcarraig is do chonaic mé féin do ghrá.

Do chonaic mé gile agus finne agus scéimh na mná.

Do chonaic mé an t-úll ba chumhra is ba mhilse bláth.

Do chonaic mé do vailintín agus níl sí a cloí mar 'táir.

[miiiiiira10]

srahman24, you're my hero forever and ever for uploading these FANTASTIC videos!!! thanks from the bottom of my heart.

[irishkopis]

wow,thanxalot for posting this...couldn't find it anywhere,saw this on tv and was totally stunned...it's magnificent