The Bell of Bronách was composed by Siubhán Ó Dubháin from Rostrevor, Co: Down. She wrote the words and set them to a traditional melody in the key of F. This arrangement for the Mourne Community Choir is in D and we have elaborated on Siubhán’s work by adding harmony and counterpoint.
ALL PARTS
MELODY only
HARMONY only
MELODY & HARMONY
COUNTERPOINT only
MELODY & COUNTERPOINT
COUNTERPOINT HARMONY only
COUNTERPOINT & COUNTERPOINT HARMONY
WORDS (by Siubhán Ó Dubháin)
Oh I heard the bell of Bronách ringing out o’er all the land
And it rang song of freedom and of peace for every man
And it called the saints of Heaven and the great angelic band
As they blessed the bell of Bronách ringing forth throughout the land
In a valley neath the mountains blessed Bronách heard the call And the women of the countryside they answered one and all
And they built a house of prayer where the gentle stream began And the blessed bell of Bronách sounded forth throughout the land
Then the Holy House was pillaged by a plundering Viking horde
And they threatened blessed Bronách with the fire and with the sword But she gained immortal glory with the saints of God on high
And the men who worshipped Odin heard the Bell as Bronách died
Then the savage Viking chieftain put his sword into the ground
And his pagan heart was softened when he heard the glorious sound As it rang a song of freedom and of peace for every man
And the blessed bell of Bronách rang again throughout the land
Arranged for the Mourne Community Choir by Brona McVittie with kind permission from the composer