Return To Forks
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. I do not own any of the songs used
in this chapter or the folklore stories.
A/N This is like my longest chapter ever!!
Chapter 15: A little bit of Irish culture.
Bpov
I'm so excited. It's Friday, and my family will be here soon. I'm literally shaking with excitement. It's also December 21st. Only four days until Christmas! It's going to be so awesome with my entire family here.
I went to visit Jacob earlier to give him his present, as I probably won't see him until after Christmas Day. I had to leave early to collect Mum and the gang from the airport. She had called me last night, saying that she had given me the wrong time. So instead of arriving this evening, they would be at the airport around 11 o lock in the morning.
The Cullens and Hales wanted to come along and meet my family. I had a feeling that they were very excited about meeting my granny . . . if you catch my drift.
Emmett tried his hardest to convince them not to come, but they still insisted on going. We all rushed out the door, apart from Emmett, who looked like he was going to his death. I rode in the Jeep with Emmett. Alice and Jasper drove Carlisle's Mercedes, while Rose and Edward took his Volvo. I'm sure there would be enough seats for my family.
We arrived at the airport with minutes to spare. I was craning my neck trying to see over the crowds of people, looking for a glimpse Seamus or Áodh. They would be the easiest to see since they are extremely tall – about 6'4 – and they're still only nineteen and seventeen.
Emmett kept trying to get the others to run little errands for him, like getting him something to drink or saying he needed help finding the bathrooms. He really does not want these guys to meet our granny. I don't see why he's trying to postpone the meeting, because it's inevitable. They are going to meet them and they will find out his name.
All of a sudden, I hear a shrill, Irish accent call out. Well, more like scream.
"Gilbert Emmett Swan! Is that you?" We all turned to face a tiny, stout, elderly woman with the kindest face in the world. My granny. I felt an instant rush of affection for her. Seeing her here, I suddenly felt great joy. She came running over quite fast for her seventy-seven years. She hugged Emmett. Well, she hugged Emmett's waist, since she wasn't much taller than that.
Emmett blushed bright red and hugged our granny.
"Emmett, pet. I canny reach ya, bend down so yer nan can give ya a kiss. I haven't seen you in so long."
"Yeah Gilbert. Give your grandmother a kiss," Rose laughed, stressing the Gilbert.
He bent down and kissed her. I saw the rest of my family approach us then. I ran over to my mum and hugged her, and she then hugged Emmett.
Emma and I were quite vocal with our greetings. "Emmmaaaaa!! You're heeeerrrrrreeeeee!"
"Beeeeeeellllllllaaaaaaaaa! I KNOW! AAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!" she screamed back. "By the way, hi," she said, waving. Her hand moving so fast it was a blur.
I saw my Aunt Kathleen and greeted her with my nickname for her. "Heya, Wawee!" I ran up to her and hugged her. My Uncle John was standing beside her.
"Where are the fellas?" I asked John.
"Aw, they're comin' now. We wanted to surprise ya. There are eight of us instead of seven."
"Who else is – " I stopped mid-sentence because walking beside my two tall cousins was my Aunt Éibhlín.
"Éibhlín! What are you doing here? Not that I mind or anything; it's just a surprise. WOW. Why didn't you guys tell me?"
"Ya see, Bella, I wasn't sure whether or not I could get time off work, and I didn't want to say anything and get your hopes up, pet," she explained.
We all went outside and found a seat in the cars for everyone. I was travelling with Emmett again, along with Jasper, Mum, Granny, and John. Edward was travelling with Séamus and Áodh, while my aunts travelled with Rose and Alice. Whenever Granny would talk to Emmett, he would blush whilst Jasper would have a quiet chuckle to himself, which in turn would make me giggle. Granny picked up on our giggling and would ask Emmett – sorry, Gilbert – what we were laughing at, which would make Jasper laugh harder, making me laugh harder, and so on.
We arrived at the house they were renting, and we stayed a little while until they got settled in. I left at around two o clock, but promised to return later with Charlie and the Cullens – including Carlisle and Esme and the Hales. This night was going to be an experience of a lifetime for our American friends.
Alice assumed this was a black tie affair, but I insisted it wasn't. If one can Céilí dance successfully in full-length dress, then they're miracle workers. I told her casual clothes would be more than perfect.
I collected Charlie, and we went over to Renée's house. She greeted us all warmly. She, Carlisle, and Esme seemed to be getting along fine. Charlie was greeted by my mother's family as if he was a long lost son. He and John were soon chatting like old friends.
After Kathleen and Éibhlín's lovely baking – apple tart and custard, treacle scone and a fruit scone – Kathleen fetched her guitar while Éibhlín got her fiddle. Áodh got his bodhrán – a traditoinal Irish music instrument.
We gathered in a circle, and my family and I started singing a lot of traditional Irish songs.
We started with 'A Nation Once Again.'
When boyhood's fire was in my blood
I read of ancient freemen
For Greece and Rome who bravely stood
Three hundred men and three men
And then I prayed I yet might see
Our fetters rent in twain
And Ireland long a province be
A Nation Once Again
A nation once again
A nation once again
And Ireland long a province be
A Nation Once Again
It whispered too that freedom's ark
That service high and holy
Would be profaned by feelings dark
And passions vain and lowly
For freedom comes from God's right hand
And needs a Godly train
And righteous men must make out land
A Nation Once Again
A nation once again
A nation once again
And Ireland long a province be
A Nation Once Again
So as I grew from boy to man
I bent me to that bidding
My spirit of each selfish plan
And cruel passion ridding
For thus I hoped some day to aid
Oh, can such hope be vain
When my dear country should be made
A Nation Once Again
A nation once again
A nation once again
And Ireland long a province be
A Nation Once Again
We then sang "The Field of Athenry."
By the lonely prison wall.
I heard a young girl calling.
Michael, they are taking you away, for you
stole Trevelyn's corn
So the young might see the morn.
Now a prisonship lies waiting in the bay.
Low lie, the Fields of Athenry, where
once we watched the small free birds fly.
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing.
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.
By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young man calling.
Nothing matters Mary when you're free,
Against the Famine and the Crown
I rebelled, they ran me down.
Now you must raise our child with dignity.
Low lie, the Fields of Athenry, where
once we watched the small free birds fly.
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing.
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.
By a lonely harbour wall
She watched the last star falling.
And that prison ship sailed out against the sky.
Sure she'll wait and hope and pray,
for her love in Botany Bay.
It's so lonely round the fields of Athenry
Uncle John sang "Whiskey in the Jar" next. It is one of my favorites. He has an amazing voice.
As I was going over the far Kilkerry mountain
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I first produced my pistol, and the produced my rapier
Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver
Musha ring dumma do damma da
Whack for the laddie-o
Whack for the laddie-o
There's whiskey in the jar
I counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny
I put it in my pocket and I brought it home to Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the devil take the women, for they never can be easy
Musha ring dumma do damma da
Whack for the laddie-o
Whack for the laddie-o
There's whiskey in the jar
I went into my chamber, for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder
But Jenny took my charges and she filled them up with water
And send for captain Farrel to be ready for the slaughter
Musha ring dumma do damma da
Whack for the laddie-o
Whack for the laddie-o
There's whiskey in the jar
It was early in the morning, before I rose to travel
The guards were all around me and likewise captain Farrel
I first produced my pistol, for she stole away my rapier
But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken
Musha ring dumma do damma da
Whack for the laddie-o
Whack for the laddie-o
There's whiskey in the jar
If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army
If I can find his station in Cork or in Killarney
And if he'll come and save me, we'll go roving near Kilkenny
And I swear he'll treat me better than me darling sporting Jenny
Musha ring dumma do damma da
Whack for the laddie-o
Whack for the laddie-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Now some men take delight in the drinking and the roving
But others take delight in the gambling and the smoking
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courting pretty Jenny in the morning bright and early
Musha ring dumma do damma da
Whack for the laddie-o
Whack for the laddie-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Nearly everyone joined in during the chorus – even the Cullens and Hales. They knew this song because of Thin Lizzy's and Mettalica's cover of it.
After that, we sang "The Irish Rover."
In the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and six
We set sail from the sweet cove of Cork
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
For the grand city hall of New York
'Twas an elegant craft, she was rigged fore and aft
And oh how the trade winds drove her
She could stand several blasts, she had twenty-seven masts
And they called her the Irish Rover
We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags
We had two million barrels of stones
We had three million sides of old blind horses hides
We had four million barrels of bones
We had five million hogs, six million dogs
Seven million barrels of porter
We had eight million bales of oul' nanny goats tails
In the hold of the Irish Rover
Break
There was old Micky Coote who played hard on his flute
When the ladies lined up for a set
He was tootling with a skill for each quadrill
Though the dancers were fluttered and fet
With his smart witty talk he was cock of the walk
And he rolled them under and over
When he took up with his stance they knew at a glance
That he sailed on the Irish Rover
There was Barney Magee from the banks of the Lee
There was Hogan from CO. Tyrone
There was Johnny McGurk who was scared stiff of work
And a man from West Meath called Malone
There was Slugger O'Toole who was drunk as a rule
And fighting Bill Tracy from Dover
And your man Mike McCann from the banks of the Bann
Was the skipper of the Irish Rover
Break
We had sailed several days when the measles broke out
And our ship lost its way in the fog
Then the whale of a crew was reduced down to two
Just myself and the captains old dog
Then the ship struck a rock, Lord what a shock
And we were turned right over
Turned nine times around, sure the poor dog was drowned
I'm the last of the Irish Rover
Break
I'm the last of the Irish Rover
The final song of the evening was the National Anthem, "Amhrán na bhFiann."
Sinne Fianna Fáil
Atá Fá gheall ag Éirinn
Buidhean dár sluagh tar rúinn do ráinig chughainn
Fámhoídh bheírh saor
Sean-tír ár sinnsear feasta
Ní fágfar fá'n tíorán ná fa'n tráil
Anocht a theigeamh sa bhearna baoghail
Le gean ar Gaedhí chun báis nó saoghail
Le gunna sgréach: Fá lamhach na piléar
Seo Libh canaidh amhrán na bhFiann
Seo dhibh a cháirde duan oglaidh
Caithréimeach, bríoghmhar, ceolmhar
Ár dteinte cnámh go buacach táid
'S an spéir go min réaltógach
Is fionmhar faobhrach sinn chun gleo
'S go tiúnmhar glé roimh tigheacht do'n ló
Fa ciúnas chaoimh na h-oidhche ar seol
Seo libh, canaídh amhrán na bhFiann
Cois banta réidhe, ar árdaibh sléibhe
Ba bhuadhach ár rinnsear romhainn
Ag lámhach go tréan fá'n sár- bhrat séin
Tá thuas sa ghaoith go seolta
Ba dhúthchas riamh d'ár gcine cháidh
Gan iompáil riar ó imirt áir
'Siubhal mar iad i gcoinnibh rámhaid
Seo libh, canaidh amhrán na bhFiann
A buidhean nach fann d'fuil Ghaoidheal is Gall
Sinn breacadh lae na saoirse
Tá sgéimhle 's sgannradh í gcroidhthibh namhad
Roimh ranngaibh laochra ár dtíre
Ár dteinte is tréith gan spréach anois
Sin luinne ghlé san spéir anoir
'S an bíodhbha i raon na bpiléar agaibh
Seo libh, canaidh amhrán na bhFiann
After the singing, Emma insisted we have a mini céilí. We divided into two lines of four to dance 'The Walls of Limerick.' It was so much fun, especially trying to teach my friends the dance. They quickly learned the moves, and we started the dance with Áodh, Kathleen, and Éibhlín providing the music. The thing is, céilí dancing can be great fun, but the dances seem to go on forever.
After The Walls of Limerick, we danced the Siege of Ennis. These two, in my opinion, are the easiest ones to learn. Especially the Siege of Ennis. It starts off with two couples facing each other. These two dances are my favorite dances. We danced so long we lost all track of time. Eventually we looked at the clock and it read 11 o clock. Wow, we'd been dancing for nearly two hours.
Granny decided the perfect way to end the night would be to tell a few of the folklore stories of Ireland. She told the three sorrows of Irish storytelling. The first was "The Sons of Tureen" by Lugh of the Tuatha de Dannan. In it, three brothers, Brian, Urchar, and Iuchar were set eight near-impossible tasks to do. Next was "The Children of Lir," in which the four children of Lir, the Sea Lord, were turned into swans by their evil stepmother, Aefe, for 900 years. And finally, "Deirdre and Sons of Usnach". That was the story when Deirdre was born it was foretold that wars would be fought over her because of her beauty. The King locked her away so no one but he would see her, but her nurse helped her escape, and she fell in love with Naise, the eldest son of Usnach. They ran away with his two brothers. Many people pursued them and many were killed. Finally, the king killed Naise and his brothers, but before he could claim Deirdre as his wife, she killed herself.
I looked around the room at everyone once Granny had finished. Everyone suddenly came alive again. They had been so absorbed in the stories. I hugged my family goodbye, and Edward dropped me home after giving me a kiss goodbye.
I crawled upstairs, where I found my phone and a text from Jacob on it.
"Hey Bella. Party 2moro - La Push, 9pm. Wanna cum?"
Cool a party. I quickly replied saying I'd love to go, and then said I was tired, so I'd see him tomorrow. I turned off my phone and went to sleep - dreaming about Edward, of course.
A/N Translation for "Amhrán na bhFiann." - "The Soldier's song.."
We'll sing a song, a soldier's song
With cheering rousing chorus
As round our blazing fires we throng
The starry heavens o'er us
Impatient for the coming fight
And as we wait the morning's light
Here in the silence of the night
We'll chant a soldier's song
Chorus:
Soldiers are we
whose lives are pledged to Ireland
Some have come
from a land beyond the wave
Sworn to be free
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal
We'll chant a soldier's song
In valley green, on towering crag
Our fathers fought before us
And conquered 'neath the same old flag
That's proudly floating o'er us
We're children of a fighting race
That never yet has known disgrace
And as we march, the foe to face
We'll chant a soldier's song
Soldiers are we
whose lives are pledged to Ireland
Some have come
from a land beyond the wave
Sworn to be free
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal
We'll chant a soldier's song
Sons of the Gael! Men of the Pale!
The long watched day is breaking
The serried ranks of Inisfail
Shall set the Tyrant quaking
Our camp fires now are burning low
See in the east a silv'ry glow
Out yonder waits the Saxon foe
So chant a soldier's song
By the way I mean no offence to any of you who are British - I didn't write this song. This is another sort of filler. I just wanted to throw in some Irish stuff again. The upcoming party plays a very, VERY important part in this story. Believe me. Bella will also say ILY to Edward soon .... well soon-ish.
So read and review. Love y'all
ps. Go read my new one shot. It's called The Things We Do For Love. twilight-is-lovee and I did a collaboration.
Helen =]