Bó na Leathadhairce - Choral Scholars of University College Dublin

Bó na Leathadharice - Choral Scholars of University College Dublin & Desmond Earley (Official Music Video)

Traditional (arr. Desmond Earley)

Solo: Ciarán O’Donovan
Bodhrán: Conor Lyons

Instagram: @ChoralScholars

A Gavin Coll/PassionHouse Production, with November Seven Films.

Executive Producer: Desmond Earley
Directed & Produced by Gavin Coll
Director of Photography: Daragh Murphy

Associate Producer: Jules Coll
Edited by Gavin Coll & Daragh Murphy
Costume & Production Designer: Jules Coll
Makeup Artists: Amanda Conlon & Charlene Flanagan

Colourist: Daragh Murphy
Audio Playback by Andrew Farrell
Production Coordinator: Lara McDermott
Production Assistant: Henry Cahill
Continuity Advisor: Glenn Murphy

BTS Photographer: Emilija Jefremova
BTS Videographer: Helio León

Record Label: Signum Classics

Ensemble Manager: Aoife Perry
Vocal Coach: Síle McCarthy-Cannon and Glenn Murphy

Conducted by Desmond Earley
Produced by Nigel Short
Recording Engineer: Andrew Mellor
Mixed and Mastered by Andrew Mellor

Audio recorded in All Hallows Church, Dublin, Ireland, 2018

Video recorded outdoors in Belvedere House & Gardens, under strict COVID19 protection measures. Our warmest thanks to Stephen Masterson, Mary Bannon, and all of the welcoming staff that allowed us to shoot in this beautiful venue in July 2021. We also thank Elizabeth and Kevin of CaToCa Find Foods for providing catering and excellent hospitality on the day.

This video was produced under strict safety protocols from the Government of Ireland and University College Dublin's Safety Office. Thank you in particular to Peter Coulahan of the Safety Office for his continued guidance. All those not in front of the camera wore masks at all times, with social distancing, hand sanitising, and regular temperature checks in operation throughout the production.

©℗ The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin, 2021

Follow us on Spotify and Apple Music to hear our latest releases with Signum Classics.

Bó na leathadhairce ('The one-horned cow') is a playful song learned by many children in school. With origins in county Kerry, located on the south-west coast of Ireland, the one-horned cow is a metaphor for a poitín still (think Irish home-brewed alcohol) and the lyrics become more peculiar as the song unfolds, perhaps reflecting the increased level of intoxication of the singer, ‘B’fhearr liom ná scilling go bhfeicfinn mo chaora ’Teacht chun an dorais' ('I would prefer to a shilling to see my sheep come to the door’).

Lyrics:

Thíos cois na toinne
’sea beathaíodh mo chaora
Ag Diarmuid Ó Dioláin
ó Bharra na hAoine
Mac dearthár athar dom
a chuir le haill í
Easpa tobac a bhí ar an gcladhaire.

Curfá
Bó, bó, bó na leathadhairce
Bó, bó, ’sí an tsean-chaor adharcach
Bó, bó, bó na leathadhairce
Bó dhroimeann dhearg
is ní fheadair cá bhfaighinn í

B’fhearr liom ná scilling go
bhfeicfinn mo chaora
’Teacht chun an dorais
ar maidin nó istóiche
Thálfadh sí bainne dom,
bheathódh sí uan dom
Chuirfeadh sí seaicéidín deas
ar mo ghualainn.

Curfá

Chonacsa beirithe í,
chonacsa á roinnt í
Chuireas-sa dúil inti
ach blaise ní bhfaighinn di
Ó nár dheas í,
ó nár mheidhreach
Ó nár dheas í
an tsean-chaor adharcach.

Curfá

Dá mbeinnse i rachmas,
i ngradam ‘s in oidhreacht
Thabharfainnse giní
ar chúpla slaghas di
Ó nár dheas í,
ó nár mheidhreach
Ó nár dheas í an
tsean-chaor adharcach.

D’íosfainn lán píce di,
d’íosfainn lán oighinn di,
D’íosfainnse stráice
den tseana chaora adharcach
Ó nár dheas í!
ó nár mheidhreach!
Ó nár dheas í
an tsean-chaor adharcach

Curfá

[UCDPerformingGroups]

Lyrics:

Thíos cois na toinne
’sea beathaíodh mo chaora
Ag Diarmuid Ó Dioláin
ó Bharra na hAoine
Mac dearthár athar dom
a chuir le haill í
Easpa tobac a bhí ar an gcladhaire.

Curfá
Bó, bó, bó na leathadhairce
Bó, bó, ’sí an tsean-chaor adharcach
Bó, bó, bó na leathadhairce
Bó dhroimeann dhearg
is ní fheadair cá bhfaighinn í

B’fhearr liom ná scilling go
bhfeicfinn mo chaora
’Teacht chun an dorais
ar maidin nó istóiche
Thálfadh sí bainne dom,
bheathódh sí uan dom
Chuirfeadh sí seaicéidín deas
ar mo ghualainn.

Curfá

Chonacsa beirithe í,
chonacsa á roinnt í
Chuireas-sa dúil inti
ach blaise ní bhfaighinn di
Ó nár dheas í,
ó nár mheidhreach
Ó nár dheas í
an tsean-chaor adharcach.

Curfá

Dá mbeinnse i rachmas,
i ngradam ‘s in oidhreacht
Thabharfainnse giní
ar chúpla slaghas di
Ó nár dheas í,
ó nár mheidhreach
Ó nár dheas í an
tsean-chaor adharcach.

D’íosfainn lán píce di,
d’íosfainn lán oighinn di,
D’íosfainnse stráice
den tseana chaora adharcach
Ó nár dheas í!
ó nár mheidhreach!
Ó nár dheas í
an tsean-chaor adharcach

[joeavent]

Long live the Irish language. Pure poetry to the ears. Greetings from Alvarado, Texas.

[kaeli]

A unicorn is born somewhere everytime this song is played.

[BlondeintheBellyoftheBeast]

That adorable elfish man has the voice of an angel. Wonderful piece.

[saurfish]

I need a five hour loop so I can listen to this and cry about how beautiful it is. So lovely. I recently found this channel and was hoping there would be a new upload soon. Thank you all for blessing us with such wonderful music!

[Asoveth]

Irish Music is so amazing. God bless you Ireland.

[gemrich]

Your group never ceases to amaze me. You all are wonderful!!!

[trygveplaustrum]

This looks like a new cast!
Their timbre is beautiful, and their rhythm is mesmerizing!
Truly, they are righteous successors! I look forward to listening to them more, starting with this song again!

[JendarMD]

The backing vocals are made so finely that it makes you feel as if there was musical accompaniment. And then you realize that their entire instrumental accompaniment is rhythm.
Remarkably well done!

[medvedastiy]

Your choral technique is impeccable. Your voices are incomparable. Your mentors are well done. All together - one of the best choirs of our time.

[weronikaswistak]

Where have You found so many natural, beautiful and sensitive people, who love the culture and speak this marvelous language🥰
Greetings from Poland🇵🇱

[Hammern]

Dear God Almighty.... if there is something that can give ones soul, peace and harmony, it is this.
It is just so beautiful, it makes me shed tears.

And I think I speak for many when I say, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful voices with us.

Greetings and salutations from Norway!

[allanbmw]

Before coming to Earth, I hear, we ALL shouted Hosanna! with joy at it's creation. 62 years on, and counting, I have had my doubts if I was among those. I almost died this year, but defied the odds. When I see all of you, and see and hear your joy in song... I begin to think that... maybe... possibly I, too, shouted with that host, Hosanna! I feel the joy, hear my heart sing too, as I see you all here! God bless you ALL... !

[Surfwavesallday]

What a pure blessing when they come out with irish-language songs, so magical. I saw the Choral Scholars twice during my tenure at UCD and was completely spellbound both times. More Irish songs!!

[MalinoisRule]

The Choral Scholars change but the quality remains beautiful. Thank you !

[thehistorybounder]

Most beautiful song about a cow I've ever heard. Gorgeous work as always 🇺🇸❤️🇨🇮

[loganpierce]

The beauty of truth, the beauty of life…!!!
It cannot be denied…!!!
The beauty of woman..!!
The beauty of man…!!!
Praise be to The Most High…!!!

[rajkumarraosinhji]

What a wonderful choral performance. Everyone is super happy. Can’t wait to visit Ireland. Thanks much!!!

[PercivalC]

Yet another outstanding performance, and this time, with such joyous smiles on everyone's faces too! Hard not to smile when watching/listening to this.

[RichardHenriksen-nnic]

Spectacular Youth One can only wish them well.