"A Magical Gathering: The Clannad Anthology" - Clannad
Compilation Album
U2 Related Content:
- "In a Lifetime" (Studio Version) - Clannad (featuring Bono) (03:10)
Full Track Listing (Disc One):
Níl Sé Ina Lá (Níl Sé‘n Lá)
Thios Chois Na Tra Domh
Teidhir Abhaile Riu
Fairly Shot of Her
Dúlamán
The Galtee Hunt
Siuil a Run
Down by the Sally Gardens
Ar a ghabhail ‘n a ‘chuain damh
Na Buachailli Alainn
Bruach Na Carriage Baine
An Túll
Coinleach Ghlas An Fhomhair
Thios Fa’n Chosta
Theme from Harry’s Game
Newgrange
Disc Two:
Robin (The Hooded Man)
Now is Here
Ancient Forest
Caislean Oir
In a Lifetime (3:05)
Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)
Buachill On Eirne
Second Nature
Something to Believe In
Sirius
Ri Na Cruinne
The Poison Glen
I Will Find You
Banba Oir
Seanchas
An Gleann
A Mhuirnin O
Background Information
“A Magical Gathering: The Clannad Anthology” was a compilation on two discs assembled by Rhino Records in 2002, and the release contained “In a Lifetime”.
Recorded in 1985, Bono joined Irish band Clannad on the song “In a Lifetime”, which was initially released on the album “Macalla” in 1985. It was also released as a single on three occasions, first in January 1986 as the third single released from “Macalla” and in 1989 as a promotional track for the “Past Present” collection of songs, and finally in 1993 in Europe at a time when the song was being used as an advertising campaign for Jameson Whiskey. The song starts with Máire Brennan being heard teaching Bono Gaelic during the instrumental intro to the song. The initial single reached #17 in the UK singles chart, and thus it remains one of Clannad’s most successful songs.
A video was filmed for the song, and it was filmed by Meiert Avis, who had worked on most of U2’s early videos. It is set in the early 1900s in Ireland, and based on life in small villages back in those days, showing scenes of children walking narrow roads, a couple walking with a bicycle, old men drinking in a pub, and a hearse winding through the countryside. Footage of Bono and Máire Brennen in the woods and on a cliff is also included in the video. The video was filmed in Gweedore, a small town in County Donegal in Ireland. The video inspired the artist Dave McKean in his early drawings and design of the character “Sandman” for DC Comics, and early sketches of the character found in the “Preludes and Nocturnes” graphic novel is unmistakably Bono taken from the video for “In a Lifetime”. The “Sandman” series was a critically acclaimed and an award winning series, and Bono served as an early inspiration for the characters look.
Being one of Clannad’s biggest hits, the song has been released on numerous Clannad collections over the years including “The Collection” (1986), “Past Present” (1989), “Themes” (US Release, 1995), “Rogha: The Best of Clannad” (1996), “Celtic Collections” (1996), “In a Lifetime: The Ultimate Collection” (1997), “The Ultimate Collection” (1998), “Magic Elements” (1998), “Greatest Hits” (2000), “The Best of Clannad” (2001), “A Magical Gathering: The Clannad Anthology” (2002), “The Very Best of Clannad” (2003), “The Best of Clannad: In a Lifetime” (2003), “Songbook: The Very Best of Clannad” (2007), and “Celtic Themes: The Very Best of Clannad” (2008). The song was also featured on the 1992 US release of the album “Anam”, as a bonus track. In each case the version of the song is the version recorded for “Macalla” but in some cases there are minor differences in level or length as these collections were mastered from a variety of sources.
“In a Lifetime” has also been included on a number of compilation CDs including “Moods 2” (1994), “Celtic Spirit” (1996), “Celtic Myst” (1998), “Best of Celtic” (2003), “Greatest Irish Bands” (2004), and “The Celtic Circle” (2004).
Clannad have released a few live versions of “In a Lifetime”, most notably on the “Gaelforce” CD, but none of these live performances include Bono and are often sung with other vocalists.
Liner Notes
In a Lifetime: Written by Pól Brennan and Ciarán Brennan. Produced by Steve Nye. Ciarán Brennan – bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals. Máire Brennan – vocals, harp. Bono – vocals. Pól Brennan – flute, guitar, percussion, vocals. Noel Duggan – guitar, vocals. Pádraig Duggan – guitar, mandolin, vocals. Engineered by Kevin Maloney at Windmill Lane Studio. Assistant Engineer: John Grimes. Mixed at Windmill Lane Studio.