Silent O Moyle

This beautiful Irish song compares the story of Fionnuala, daughter of Lir, lord of the sea, to the story of Ireland (Erin) itself. Just as Fionnuala was turned into a swan by her stepmother Aoife, and mourned her transformation while waiting for death to release her to heaven, so Erin languished in darkness, waiting for deliverance. Moyle (Sruth na Maoile) is the ancient Irish name given to the stormy straits that form the North Channel between the Antrim coast of Erin and Alban (Scotland).

The arranger adds: the music should be given plenty of time to ‘breathe’, especially at cadence points. Tenors can use a lighter mezza voce style in the high quiet moments and basses should concentrate on great warmth of tone. I haven’t noted dynamics as I prefer not to be prescriptive about this — just let the music speak for itself, building crescendi and coming back down to a well supported piano as the shape of the music and the meaning of the words suggests.