Mael Ísu Ua Brolcháin
Mael Ísu Ua Brolcháin (died 1086), Irish churchman and writer.
Biography
A member of a high-class ecclesiastical family in what is now County Donegal, "genealogical sources give his father as Máel Brigte and his three brothers as Áed, Diarmait, and Muirecan."
Besides holding a number of benefices and wielding considerable political influence, he was the author of the poem To an Elderly Virgin. He died as a member of the religious community of Armagh in 1086, recorded as being the chief sage of Ireland.
Members of his lineage served as Bishop of Derry.
Works
His best-known work is a Latin and Irish hymn, Deus Meus Adiuva Me.[1] Here are the modern Irish lyrics. For a translation by Professor Gerard Murphy of this well-loved piece see link below:
Deus meus adiuva me
Tabhair dom do shearch, a Mhic ghil Dé
Tabhair dom do shearch, a Mhic ghil Dé
Deus meus adiuva me.
Domine da quod peto a te,
Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian ghlan ghlé,
Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian ghlan ghlé,
Domine da quod peto a te.
Domine, Domine, exaudi me,
M’anam bheith lán de d’ghrá, a Dhé,
M’anam bheith lán de d’ghrá, a Dhé,
Domine, Domine exaudi me.
For translation see Deus Meus, Adiuva Me and live version sung with harp
References
- Máel Ísu Ua Brolcháin - Deus Meus, Adiuva Me http://omniumsanctorumhiberniae.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/mael-isu-ua-brolchain-deus-meus-adiuva.html
Sources
- pp. 48–50; 396, The New Oxford Book of Irish Verse, edited, with translations, by Thomas Kinsella, 1986.