Limerick singer gearing up for new single release
EMMA Langford takes us through a historical journey mirrored with personal interpretations in her new single she has described as a “non-sacred prayer”.
Abigail (Tomhas Ghobnatan) is the first taster from Langford’s upcoming project which explores the women that populate Ireland’s rich history and folklore.
The track is largely inspired by and about Saint Gobnait the patron saint of bees and beekeeping who is largely celebrated in Ballyvourney, County Cork.
Tomhas Ghobnatan (Gobnait’s Measure) is the name given to a piece of ribbon measured along the length, around the feet and around the neck of an ancient medieval statue of the saint by her worshippers who come to Ballyvourney on February 11 each year for Gobnait’s Day - the blessed ribbon can be kept, or given to someone in need of help or healing.
"When I heard of the tradition, it made me think about our measure of a person - how we judge each other; how women have historically been judged and punished in Ireland based on criteria established by people claiming to be good and righteous,” Emma began.
The name Gobnait can be translated as Abigail (Hebrew) or Deborah (English) – both these names appear in the song lyrics.
“Gobnait is someone I connected with when I was researching various stories and lore in Ballyvourney,” the Limerick singer said.
“The qualities she embodies are what I wanted to explore with the song.
“Abigail, the Hebrew translation of Gobnait, means bringer of light… The song is a non-sacred prayer, a song about adoration to this person who is kind, generous, forgiving and open,” Emma added.
Emma says the new release is different to anything she’s released before as it explores the “neo-soul genre”.
“[The genre] was really fun to explore,” Emma said. “It was written as part of a suite of music and the rest of the project is mostly folk inspired so I’m really excited to see how it is received.
The upcoming release is the first of a number of songs Emma is releasing this year as part of a larger project.
Whilst creating this project Emma spent 14 days at the Ionad Cultúrtha (Cultural Centre) in Ballyvourney in Cork's Gaeltacht of Muskerry where she spent a lot of her time researching St Gobnait and other significant Irish figures.
“I was very lucky to be afforded the chance to visit Ballyvourney through Music Network's Resonate Residency in 2021, which also enabled me to work in person during the pandemic with two collaborators, Hannah Nic Gearailt and Alec Brown,” she said.
Abigail (Tomhas Ghobnatan) will be released on all major streaming platforms on Friday, February 3 with Emma aiming to release an album later this year.