Lilting is a form of traditional singing common in the Goidelic speaking areas of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, though singing styles like it occur in many other countries.
Features such as rhythm and tone dominate in lilting and in the case of Irish lilting in particular, is intended to evoke the characteristic 'lilt' of traditional Irish music and specific instruments such as the Celtic harp.
[4][5] However, similar use of non-lexical syllables also feature in various traditional musical styles worldwide, including tralling or trallning in Sweden and Norway.
[5][6] According to modern folk musician Rowan Piggott, there is an unverified legend about lilting that claims it originates from the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland from 1649–1653 where bans on musical instruments required old songs to be passed down orally via singing or lilting.
Recital lilting is currently one of the multiple events performed at the annual traditional Irish musical festival, Fleadh Cheoil, held by the non-profit organization Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE).