Can anyone tell me the origin of "tir na li"?
It is referenced in the song: Assurance by HURT.
What I would like to know is a translation of the words, a meaning behind them, and a representation (song, poem, etc...).
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$2 Answers
I've just listened to the song, and while I can see that those three words seem to appear in any on-line written version of the song's lyrics, the singer doesn't sing them. They are, as you say, seemingly just referenced.
The word "tír" means land or country, and "na" in that context would mean the word "of". For instance, an ancient Irish legend tells of a place called "Tír na n'Óg", the land of the young, or a place where people stay young forever.
The word "li" however, is a mystery. It is not a word I have heard. It does not seem to be in the Irish dictionary either. A quick look at an on-line Scottish dictionary also failed to throw up any further ideas.
The word "linn" means "with us", but I'm not sure if that would make complete sense. I guess "li" could represent some type of noun, but as I say, it does not appear to be a Gaelic word.
I guess there could be a chance the word means something to the singer personally, or perhaps he is being deliberately esoteric!
My own interpretation would probably be that it actually has no meaning, that it was just three "random words" to represent the vocal ad-libbing the singer seems to be doing during that part of the song. He does use the word "li" during this sequence.
I will possibly have access to another Gaelic language resource over the weekend and if any other ideas stem from that I will add the additional information here. I hope this much has been helpful at least.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Tir = Earth, territory, land, etc.
Na = of the
Lí = beauty, lustre, glory, delight
Together, it would be similar to "Land of the beautiful"
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
When the "fada" is placed over the i in li to give "lí" then there are a couple of things that word might represent.
@mmagone has mentioned one.
Here are two other definitions
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/l%C3%AD
"lí" is a form of the verb "to lick"
http://www.irishdictionary.ie/dictionary
And at this source, lí is given as "hue"
I wonder if you or anyone you know owns a copy of the actual CD and if the words are printed on its sleeve. If they appeared with the "fadas" over the i's then we would know it was a Gaelic reference.
I do have a copy of the album. I will have to take a look when I get a chance.