Sorcha Ní Ghuairim Sings Traditional Irish Songs is representative of the sean nós—or "old style"—of Irish singing. Usually offered by an individual singer, this a capella practice allows for tremendous personal interpretation. The vocalist is not restricted to any set meter and may choose her placement of melodic embellishments to emphasize significant musical moments.

Many consider the "telling" of songs—the reflection of stories through emotion and lyrics—a more accurate description of sean nós than "singing" or "performing," and so scholar Francis O’Connell’s translations are vital to helping English speakers better appreciate the tradition. In addition to language courses and work for an Irish language newspaper, this 1957 album supported Ní Ghuairim’s efforts to re-establish the significance of the Irish language.

Track Listing