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Ah​-​ro​-​he

from Grand Promenade by Maggie McKaig

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about

The lyrics, for the most part, were Irish author Ella Young's interpretation of the ancient poem, "Song of Amergin," as written in her marvelous book published in 1910, "Celtic Wonder-Tales." At the time I was so enamored with the text that I wrote a melody it.

The "Song of Amergin" is perhaps the oldest extant poem to originate from the British Isles, and has at times been attributed to a 7th century monk. According to the legend, Amergin, the Milesian's chief poet and druid, chanted this powerful rann, or invocation, as he first stepped foot on Ireland.

As to the name, Ah-ro-he. While I was writing the song, I heard various conjectures on the possible meaning. The one I liked best came from my good friend, Annie O'Dea Hestbeck, who hosts the beloved Wednesday evening "Celtic Cadence" on KVMR Community Radio station in Nevada City, CA. Annie told me she suspected Ah-ro-he was likely one of the many Irish words to describe the sounds the sea makes.

lyrics

Ah-ro-he!

I am the wind blowing over the sea, Ah-ro-he
I am the sound the sea makes, Ah-ro-he
I am the deer of the seven tines, Ah-ro-he
I am the eagle upon the rock, Ah-ro-he

I am the ray of the sun, Ah-ro-he
I am the fairest of plants, Ah-ro-he

Who makes wise the company on the mountain
Who makes known the ages of the moon
Who knows the secret resting place of the sun

Ah-ro-he Ah-ro-he Ah-ro-he Ah-ro-he

I am the lake on the plains, Ah-ro-he
I am the word of knowledge, Ah-ro-he
I am the spear point of battle, Ah-ro-he
I am the kindler of fire, Ah-ro-he

I am the raging boar, Ah-ro-he
I am the salmon in the river, Ah-ro-he

Who makes wise the company on the mountain
Who makes known the ages of the moon
Who knows the secret resting place of the sun

Ah-ro-he Ah-ro-he Ah-ro-he Ah-ro-he

credits

from Grand Promenade, released June 20, 2003
The usual crew

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all rights reserved

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about

Maggie McKaig Nevada City, California

I'm a singer-songwriter, guitarist, accordionist, composer, poet, essayist, playwright. Since 2009 I've led World music quartet Beaucoup Chapeaux. With my partner of 45 years Luke Wilson we raised two sons, made seven albums, and grown veggie gardens and fruit trees on five acres of never ceded land once occupied by the Nisenan Tribe near Nevada City, CA.
Photo by LeeAnn Brook.
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