The opening tune is
'Cunnla'
Page 2 of the poem by
By Edward Walsh
The essence of all that gives
colour to light
Did with creatures of earth in that
structure unite;
And the spirit of music, exalt'd,
refin'd,
Like a spell round the heart of the
listener entwined.
As he enter'd the portal, and
pass'd on to where
Gay pleasure was reigning - for
woman was there.
And wine-bowls of brightness
the banquet did crown,
In mantle and mail sat old chiefs
of renown.
The wild-bearded harper's wild
melody rings
While the fierce 'Eye of Battle'
arose on the strings.
And shouts of the brave from the
mail-cover'd throng
Came blent o'er the board with
the wild battle song.
There were bright eyes of beauty,
and bosoms of snow,
The maids that were stolen long
ages ago,
The sea -nymphs that came from
their home in the main;
The fairies of ocean and fays of
the plain;
But the chieftain's eye wandered
the bright circle round,
In search of young Ellen - and
Ellen it found.
The voice of the harp and the
hero had fled
When the mortal appear'd at the
feast of the dead;
But one who in stature resembled
a god,
Cried "Welcome, O Chief, to the
crystal abode!"
"Thrice welcome, McAuliffe!" the
banquet guests cried;
"Thrice welcome, McAuliffe!" the
echoes replied.
And he who in stature resembled
a god
To the lord of Clanawley right
courteously strode
And led him to where stood a
canopied throne
That with gold and bright jewels
all gloriously shone;
Then signed to the harper, who
sweetly and well
Paired the charm of his voice with
the "Clairseach's" soft spell.
All hail, potent lord of Clanawley
to thee,
Thy home long be sacred, thy
mountains be free;
May the falchion thy fathers to
victory bore,
Flash vengeance on tyrants till
thraldom be o'er.
The heroes are met, the
Clairseach's loud call,
To share the glad feast in the
banqueting hall;
But often they gather'd in mantle
and mail,
At glory's loud call, for the right of
the Gael.
These red bowls of brightness our
banquet guests drain
In flavour exceeds the famed
'beoir' of the Dane;
And the chiefs of Kindora ne'er
honoured such wine
As o'er this glad board pours its
current divine.
The Story
times since 16 February 2000
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