Siobhán Armstrong is one of Europe’s foremost historical harpists and plays an extensive collection of copies of medieval, Renaissance and multi-row baroque harps. We first met Siobhan in May 2011 when she performed in our chapel as part of the Galway Early Music Festival just one day after she played for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Trinity College during their State visit to Ireland. Although she generally plays only early music with the historical harp she graciously agreed to accompany 'Calm the Soul' and the delightful and subtle sound of her Irish harp can be heard especially in the Interlude of the song.
Her great passion is encouraging the revival of the early Irish harp. Siobhán performs and records 15th- to 18th-century music with many of Europe's most prestigious historical musicians, and also collaborates with some of Ireland’s best traditional Irish music performers including Ronan Browne. She herself plays a replica of the medieval Trinity College or Brian Boru harp — the national emblem of Ireland — strung in brass and 18-carat gold. Her solo recording on this instrument, Cláirseach na hÉireann: The Harp of Ireland, was released in 2004.
O God,
I pray that I may know You and love You
So as eternally to rejoice in You.
And if, in the present life, I cannot do so fully,
Grant that my love and knowledge may at least grow on earth
That my joy may be fully in Heaven:
A joy expected here and there fulfilled.
O Lord our Father,
You counselled or rather commanded through Your Son,
That we ask for this fullness of joy, and You promised to grant it.
I ask of You, O Lord, that which, through Your Wonder-Counsellor,
You encouraged us to ask and promised to grant:
That our joy may be full!
Let my mind meditate on this joy, my tongue speak of it,
My heart desire it, my words extol it,
My soul hunger for it, my flesh thirst for it,
My whole substance yearn for it,
Until I enter into the joy of my God
Who is Triune and One,
Blessed forever.
Amen.
