Loving & Losing Brendan: A Very Public Grief: Brendan's Glasses Were So Much Apart of His Identity to Me.....

I've suddenly become hooked on Gaelic Lament Songs or (keening). My grief therapist mentioned keening to me during my second appointment with her. I finally remembered to look it up on YouTube the other night. I have to say that these lament songs are even more powerful than the Buddhist & Hindu Mantras and Prayers I've been using in rituals for Brendan.

Here is a link to a 6 minute YouTube video explaining keening.

If you're prepared to cry, here are a few songs that have been the most cathartic balm for my aching heart. The music draws the sadness and pain out, through the intense melodic mixture of high and low notes. It's the most amazing expression of therapeutic grief that I've ever experienced. It hurts to listen yet it also helps. These songs speak so deeply of my pain. The cells of my body resonate to the melodies. (Must be my Great-grandmother from Ireland coming through).

Song of Keening by Aine Minogue

Mo Ghille Mear (My Gallant Hero) I'll list the lyrics at the bottom of the page. Both incredibly heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Caoineadh Cu Chulainn (Lament for My Son)
Lyrics:
Aye laddie are ya goin now?
Are ye goin' now?
Will you stay awhile?
Kin of my faint & flickering heart,
And spend a moment with me.

Yes, I know.
Time has been clipped
and you are set free.
But for just a moment
Would you sing of
Caoineadh Cu Chulainn

Sing like Davey.
Capture my longing
and know that I too
wish to return to my home

The water flowing here
will carry you back to
the home you left by the sea.
And there you will wake
in the long morning and
come to know.

Oh laddie,
Are you goin' just now.
Can't you stay awhile longer?
Sit and we will share the last
golden drop of the wee
dram that is you and me.

Mo Ghille Mear (My Gallant Hero)

Lá na mara
Lá na mara nó rabharta
Guth na dtonnta a leanadh
Guth na dtonnta a leanfad ó
Lá na mara nó lom trá
Lá na mara nó rabharta
Lá an ghainimh, lom trá
Lá an ghainimh

(The day of the sea
The day of the sea or of the high tides
To follow the voice of the waves
I would follow the voice of the waves
The day of the sea or the ebb tide
The day of the sea or of the high tides
The day of the sands, the ebb tide
The day of the sands)

Can you feel the river run?
Waves are dancing to the sun
Take the tide and face the sea
And find a way to follow me

Leave the field and leave the fire
And find the flame of your desire
Set your heart on this far shore
And sing your dream to me once more