An Alarc'h

"An Alarc'h" ("The Swan") is a Breton traditional song. It is found in the 1839 collection Barzaz Breiz.Théodore Hersart de la Villemarqué, Barzaz Breiz. Franck, 1846, p. 380. It tells of the return from exile in England of the Breton prince Jean de Montfort (known as "The Swan of Montfort")Yann Brékilien, La Bretagne d'hier et de demain. J. P. Delarge, 1978. , p. 118 and his defeat of the French army under Bertrand du Guesclin in 1379.André-Georges Hamon, Chantres de toutes les Bretagnes: 20 ans de chanson bretonne. J. Picollec, 1981. , p. 49 It has been recorded by, amongst others, Alan Stivell and Gilles Servat.Françoise Morvan, Le monde comme si: nationalisme et dérive identitaire en Bretagne. Actes Sud, 2002. , p. 173

The Scottish folk song "The Twa Corbies", a variation of the English song "The Three Ravens", was set to the tune of "An Alarc'h" by R. M. Blythman.

Lyrics (From the Barzaz Breiz of 1839)

Breton originalEnglish translation A less frequently performed (or recorded) version of the song exists, containing a further 23 verses (for a total of 32) which is yet to be translated to English.

Recordings À l'Olympia, Alan Stivell (1972, Fontana, 6399 005) Musiques Celtiques, An Triskell (1973, Philips, 632145) Je Ne Hurlerai Pas Avec Les Loups, Gilles Servat (1983, Kalondour, 814 362-1) Tri Yann an Naoned, Tri Yann (1972, Kelenn, 6332 626) Hanternoz, (August 2013) Molène, Didier Squiban (1997, L'Oz Production – L'OZ 17)

References