Crucán Na bPáiste - Karen Matheson

[gasmeter1947]

Beautiful,,, could soften the hardest heart, this was written from the soul and wonderfully performed by Karen and the talented transatlantic musicians, ,,Just when you think you've heard all the best songs, then this one rips your heart out,,, why was it hidden for so long ?

[grey65goose]

I cry today for my nephews Mark (1955) and James (1957) Stearman. Both gone to the grave too soon with no chance to become themselves. My heart tears open each time I hear Karen sing this tune.

[camposi]

Looks like a housemother (that I love)! Her voice is unique. I like Loreena McKennitt - but Karen Matheson is Number one for me!

[SPAREPARTSCENTRE]

You looked that up on Wikipedia did you? - I know different!

[pikoczek]

right at the bottom are the lyrics for this song...

karenmathesoncom/lyrics

[SPAREPARTSCENTRE]

She is so dedicated to her craft ... in true celtic style (expect nothing less) she feels every sorrowful moment - very few can match her talent in Ireland or in Scotland - I have got to say if Fantasy could ever become real - I would love this girl all my life and more .. special tribute should be payed to the uileann (Irish pipes) - often mistaken for Scottish at the end that just caps this melancholy

Cool

[seonidh]

@SPAREPARTSCENTRE actually the union pipes later known as the uilleann or irish pipes were played in scotland from the mid 18th century the same time as they appeared in ireland. they were played by gentlemen pipers and makers from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dublin and Newcastle-upon-tyne improved the instrument around the same time played all over. It later fell out of favour in England and supplanted by the Highland piping tradition in Scotland so to say they are just Irish is incorrect.

[ayanuhito]

she looks like a shaman in this session. i love her, too.

[camposi]

wonderful sung!!!! Caren I love you!*******

[flanncada]

Does this song refer to the custom of burying babies who died before baptism in unconsecrated ground? The words seem more in keeping with Catholic devotion. Is this the Connemara, MaamTreasna - the location of a notorious Judicial murder in the 1870's? Thanks to the Transatlantic session for song that evokes a too common experience of mothers of that time.

[flanncada]

Does this song refer to the custom of burying babies who died before baptism in unconsecrated ground? The words seem more in keeping with Catholic devotion. Is this the Connemara, MaamTreasna - the location of a norotious Judicial murder in the 1870's. Thanks to the Transatlantic session for song that evokes a too common experience of mothers of that time.

[sumerisle]

this is magic , up there with the greatest song of all time

[seonidh]

Karen Mathieson a GREAT scottish Gaelic and traditional singer, beautiful talent and a blessing on the scots.

[HunterstonB]

You can see the harpist fighting back tears. . . . .. . .

[utz14]

Karen: you brought tears to my eyes.

[lightn56]

I had occasion to visit Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin recently and came across the Angels plot where miscarried and stillborn children have been buried for generations The guide told us there are 90,000+ children buried there.I thought immediately of this song...

[tulebox929]

so so sad,so so beautiful,infinite beauty,infinite sadness...

[bigpearl07]

beautiful.... i was lucky enough to see her perform this at transatlantic sessions in manchester two nights ago and it was my favourite song of the night along with cara dillons hill of thieves

[banrionaiasc]

I saw them in london the other night, fabulous

[geew204]

Wonderfully atmospheric, love the pipes at the end.

[BeautifulSoulgurl]

sooooooo pretty just lost my 3year old cousin to luekemia on dec 22 2009 and i am proud of my scottish heritage as my grandpa is from glasgow i am stuck with american though lol

[andrewshere]

@BeautifulSoulgurl God Bless your cousin and your family. I can't imagine what it must feel like to lose one so young, but as a father and a fellow human being my thoughts are with you and your cousin's family.

[jacobitemoray]

beautiful, love the pipe section at the end..

[BodaciousWickerman]

Catriona McKay <3

[raleighsquare]

Part of the fascination for me with this beautiful song is that fact that it's a familiar melody, Scots or Gaelic I dont know which, which I also know as a military air, also as Ta Mo Chleamhnas, all of which makes these songs that much more interesting to me by the individuality and mood which can be imparted through the arrangement, lyrics, tempo, and performer. Such rich music.

[raleighsquare]

incredibly beautiful and moving.

[boblhsax]

I'm hoping the whole series (Transatlantic sessions) on DVD for Christmas. I've dropped enough hints!

[persluchtboy]

It`s to beautifful for words, it hit`s you right in your soul. I saw it today on bbc4 and whent straight on the internet to find it.I`am so glad i found it, because it did bring a small tear to my eyes and thanks for the peolpe here that put in a translation. I wish all people that lost a child all the best strenght and gods grase to them and there child.

[LochMeikle]

Transatlantic Sessions Series 4 will be transmitted on BBC Four TV on Friday 18 September 2009 at 20:30 BST (CD and DVD will follow). Series runs for 6 weeks.

[JaanFromEstonia]

I have not ever heard of such brilliance and dramatic bagpipe playing!

[mondialvillage]

It's all a part of life. These things are given to us to make us think of what is important in life. The underside of the tapestry.

[wakishka10]

Top ten celtic performances of all time!: Broken my heart Lonely my life With my darling child lying here and me tormented It is the end of my world My little red-haired girl Laid out in Crucan na bPaiste She will not see again The dew on the grass Nor the snow in the glens of Maamtrasna No sun on her face No sweet songs of the birds Only the cold earth of Crucan na bPaiste

[buttonpuncher]

A beautiful song, though sad, and Ms. Matheson has a lovely voice, but it cuts a bit close to the bone for me. My second grand-daughter died in her mother's womb last Thursday.

[Irelandhasmyheart]

I am sorry to hear that.

[buttonpuncher]

Thank you for your expression of sympathy. It was hard on all of the family, but worst for her and her husband, of course.

[Irelandhasmyheart]

Yes, i bet. My mum had five miscarriages after my little brother, nothing can make it better.

[BoudiccaBlanc]

Please accept my prayers and sympathy, buttonpuncher. BB

[buttonpuncher]

You're very kind to express sympathy for a stranger. I gratefully accept your prayers and sympathy, and I ask God's grace on you, and all those who've been kind to me. Prayer works, and I hope and trust that one day He will do something very nice for you... if He hasn't already. Dominus vobiscum +

[wakishka10]

Chorus:

In the name of the Father

And in the name of the Son

And Mother Mary full of grace

In the name of the Holy Spirit

Don't leave me alive

With my little angel in Crucan na bPaiste

[wakishka10]

There is sadness on the mountains

Anger on the Mask

But much worse am I that didn't save her

And for the time I am alive

Never more will I stand

In Ireland or in Crucan na bPaiste

(Chorus)

With my little angel in Crucan na bPaiste

[Steph9737]

wow, lovely sounds of the uilean pipe :)

[JSCWhistler]

This song is so beautiful... It gives me a sense of peace, but rips me apart at the core. Everything about this song is just perfect... and when the pipes come in later, it only adds so much more to the beauty of Karen's voice with the rest, they just weep...

[violalin]

I played in one of karen's concerts last year, and she sang this. it was the first time I'd heard it, and our string section were still on the platform but it was only Donald and Karen, so we were listening intently, and I shed a tear or two standing on that stage. I've never understood any Gaelic, but this song and Karen's delivery was just heartbreakingly good. I love this song.

[ljbabysprite]

The only time otherwise I've been so moved to tears, was by Julie Fowlis singing 'Nuair a rainig mi 'm baile' (When I came into town).

[juanio181161]

Maravilloso, es belleza en estado puro

[jeannie2454]

Totally wiped me out! one of the saddest songs i have ever heard heard, how stunning beautiful is Karen's voice?

[Robinh353]

The woman playing the harp is Catriona Mc Kay from Scotland and it's well worth looking up her music here on youtube

[Steph9737]

yes you are right, her music is also amazing

[danldunham]

When her voice rises to the chorus, and knowing what these words mean, it tears at my soul. My eyes don't tear up but somehow the sorrow is felt so strongly.

I too would have that feeling if I had to lay one of my children in their grave and had to endure such pain as living on. Celtic music seems to go far beneath our pop culture songs' reach and touch us so very tenderly.

[JSCWhistler]

I wouldn't mind knowing meaning of the words, at least to the chorus. Do you have them?

[SpeedOfDark186Kmps]

The girl playing the harp is stunningly pretty.

[theboss1007]

fantastic............

[MartinaBC1963]

Thank you for teh lyrics and translation here. Another wonderful song of Karen Matheson. She is in my opinion th ebest female singer in the world.

[JamesStAndrews]

Every time I hear this song, I am reminded why I love all things Gaelic, be they from Eire or Alba. I think this song, sung so tenderly and hauntingly here, manages to capture the inherent sadness and, at the same time, great beauty and spirit common to all Celtic cultures. Moran taing to all involved with these recordings!

[colin2657]

Karen,

If you ever read this comment. I thank you for bringing me a voice so tender and emotional. you have a unique gift and i am privileged to say I have a collection of your CDs

[Robinh353]

Lyrics: English Translation For those who have shed a tear listening to this sad song and been privileged to hear the voice of an Angel Broken my heart Lonely my life With my darling child lying here and me tormented It is the end of my world My little red-haired girl Laid out in Crucán na bPáiste She will not see again The dew on the grass Nor the snow in the glens of Maamtrasna No sun on her face No sweet song of the birds Only the cold earth of Crucán na bPáiste

[Robinh353]

Chorus:

In the name of the Father

And in the name of the Son

And Mother Mary full of grace In the name of the Holy Spirit

Don't leave me alive

With my little angel in Crucán na bPáiste

[Robinh353]

There is sadness on the mountains

Anger on the Mask 

But much worse am I that didn't save her

And for the time I am alive

Never more will I stand

In Ireland or in Crucán na bPáiste (Chorus)

With my little angel in Crucán na bPáiste

[bb3ca201]

In ainm an Athair Is in ainm an Mhic Is a Mháithrín atá lán de ghrásta In ainm an Spoiraid Naomh Ná fág mé beo Is mo mháinlín i gCrucán na bPáiste Is buartha na sléibhte Is tá mairg ar an Mask Is olc mise gan i bheith sábháilte Is an fhad a bhéas mé beo Ní sheasfaidh mé ar fhód Na hÉireann nó i gCrucán na bPáiste

[bb3ca201]

Here are the Irish-language lyrics. Do a search for the title, and you'll obtain the English lyrics: Is briste mo chroí Is uaigneach mo shlí Is mo stóirín in a luí is mé cráite 'S é deireadh mo shaol Is mo chailín beag rua Sínte i gCrucán na bPáiste Ní fheicfidh sí arís An drúcht ar an bhféar Nó an sneachta i ngleannta Mhaamtrasna Gan ghrian ar a h-aghaidh Gan ceol binn na n-éan Ach an chré fuar i gCrucán na bPáiste

[veryheaven1924]

Thanks for the lyrics as I lapsed Irish speaker I cannot pick up everything by ear. It is the saddest song I have ever heard, heartbreaking.

[00Caledonia00]

I love her voice. thx for the song.

[Bute033]

Absolute class Seldom moved as I hhave been by your voice thank you Karen

[violalin]

I played strings for Karen singing this yesterday. I nearly cried on the stage! (I don't understand the words but the meaning is obviously carried through other means....)

[Lespinou]

Quelle émotion ! Merci Karen ... Thank'S for all.

[Robinh353]

You won't get many chances to hear an Angel sing don't miss this one

[graham1281]

I don't speak gaelic, nor, do I suspect many others who listen to Karen regularly. She has one of the purest voices I've heard.

[hankaemil]

she gets better with age,one off our treasures.

[asundermoon]

Absolutely beautiful...I love listenin to her sing

[lindowan123]

Breath-takingly beautiful, how does any single person have so much magic flow from their mouth. Thanks Tom

[wcaldwell7]

Truly magic!

[jkosmdd]

Astonishing. Love the pipes at the end.

[santiano42]

Her name is synonymous with purity! What a voice! Sends shiver up me back every time!

[partridgehearne]

I dont know what is more exquisit, her voice or her hand gestures.

[wthight123]

You don't have to choose since they both come from the same place, way down deep inside her. Total honesty and lack of affectation. Just beautiful.