Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: show-tunes
Song Meaning of “Noble Maiden Fair (A Mhaighdean Bhan Uasal)” by Emma Thompson
The song “Noble Maiden Fair” is a traditional Irish folk song sung in English and Gaelic which speaks of unrequited love. A young man gazes in admiration at a beautiful woman and longs for her, but he is too shy and tongue-tied to tell her his true feelings. The most poignant feeling in this song lies in the fact that his admiration for her remains hidden and unrevealed; he simply has no way to express himself.
The song speaks of the beauty of the girl, her lengthy golden hair, her fair skin and deep blue eyes. The young man is taken with her beauty, and is filled with longing despite the fact that they have briefly met. His admiration is clear and undeniable.
The sadness of this unspoken love is expressed in the chorus “Maid of beauty bright and fair, for your love I’d give my all, but I have no power, I have no right, to stand before your throne tonight”. Despite his love, the young man is powerless to act on it, and is unable to win the girl’s affections.
The song conveys a sense of pain and longing mixed with admiration and beauty. It’s a timeless love song which has been beloved by Irish singers for centuries. It serves as a reminder that sometimes our deepest feelings remain hidden and unheard—leaving us with sadness and regret.