In the old Ireland there were three principal categories of song, called geantrai, goltrai and suantrai - joyous strain, the lamenting strain and the sleep strain.
When Lug was proving himself expert in every art before the Tuatha hierarchy his musical contribution was an immaculate performance of the three strains.
Later, after the Second Battle of Moytura, Lug and The Dagda(The Good God) pursue the Formorians who have stolen The Mighty One's harp. When the instrument is located The Dagda bids it come to him. As it flies to his hands it kills those enemies standing in its path. The Dagda plays the three strains and when the opposing host are sleeping, from the magic of the suantrai, he departs safely, taking his harp with him.
The Book of Invasions is a twelfth century chronicle of the various pre-Christian colonisations of Ireland. The race who occupied the country before our Gaelic ancestors were the Tuatha De Danann - The Peoples of the Goddess Danann.
While their origins are unclear we do know that the Tuatha were a mystical race, handsome and learned, elegantly dressed, expert in every art and science and supreme masters of wizardry. In the Mythological Cycle their place is amongst the traditions of Immortals. In fact the Tuatha were so magnificent thier existence embarrassed scholars who, when transcribing the legends centuries later, did not know whether to regard them as men, demons or fallen angels. Bravest of all peoples, their leaders were wizards first and warriors second whose victories were gained more by superior knowledge and magic than by warfare.
The Tuatha De Danann occupied the country and lived in relative peace from 3303 Age of the World until the coming of the Milesian warriors in 3500 Age of the World. After their defeat at the Battle of Tailteann the Tuatha simply vanished from these islands. Tradition and popular belief has it that the Tuatha through their esoteric powers became the Sluagh Sidhe (The Fairy Host) and, taking their secrets and mysterious arts with them, entered an occult realm where they remain till this day.
Daybreak started out life as a traditional drinking tune called 'Tá na lá' (Literally 'It is day')
The tune used here is 'Brian Ború's March'
'Brian Ború's March' metamorphoses into Trouble With A Capital 'T'
High on the mountain stands a boat,
But are they gods or real folk?
We can't see the fire but we smell the smoke.
Who'll take the plough? Who'll be the yoke?
Night after night I don't believe.
We are the ones you won't deceive.
Not a thing will you achieve
'cos we belong and we won't leave.
Trouble, trouble.
I try to chase trouble but it's chasing me.
Trouble, trouble.
Trouble with a capital T.
Lay down your silver and your gold.
I'm a man who can't be sold.
And, even when my heart grows cold,
I'll curse your evil stranglehold.
The waves are running much too high.
It's got so dark can't see the sky.
But a change is coming by and by,
A time to laugh, a time to die.
Trouble, trouble.
I try to chase trouble but it's chasing me.
Trouble, trouble.
Trouble with a capital T.
Been so long away from home,
I almost made this place my own.
Now it seems I'll soon be gone,
Moving on and all alone.
High on the mountain stands a boat,
But are they gods or real folk?
We can't see the fire but we smell the smoke.
Who'll take the plough? Who'll be the yoke?
Trouble, trouble.
I try to chase trouble but it's chasing me.
Trouble, trouble.
Trouble with a capital T.
Trouble, trouble.
I try to chase trouble but it's chasing me.
Trouble, trouble.
Trouble with a capital T.
Into the flash of the lightning star-riders are hurled,
see them bumping and grinding bareback on the wheels of the world,
you can see the dawn a'coming or is that the flash of a spear,
ah, the day will come, the dawn will break:
the day breaks here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
People say we've got the power, the phrase I think is hearts and minds,
Never mind where we came from, we've left our history books behind.
Not so much teachers as fighters, and what we teach is how we fight,
and we're going to ring the changes, we're going to ring em,
ring 'em right.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it from here.
We've got the power and the glory, we're going to take it, we're going to take it.
We're going to take it, we're going to take it.
Precious stones and stolen thrones vanish in a day
and your golden rings, your silver rings will crumble and decay.
Silks and satins and crimson velvet will someday fade away
but the stones will stand across the land and love will have its day.
Change will come to everyone, never question why
sticks and stones will break your bones and words will make you cry
the sun will shiver, the moon will crumble and vanish from the sky
but the hills remain, love's the same, love will never die.
I can see the lights below us twinkle like the stars;
and I know they're waiting patiently for the day to break again.
Distant skies, different eyes, change has come so fast
mother of pearl, distant girl clutches at the past
but in the sunset I see your eyes and they tell me nothing's lost
while the rocks remain, loves the same, strong love, strong love, strong love will last.
'Daybreak' makes a reappearance mixed in with another tune (whose name I shall find out at some stage).
'Dusk' becomes the driving theme behind 'Sword of Light'.
Use both your hands to hold me.
Tight! Tighter than you should.
My heart is cold as steel
But my body's flesh and blood.
Walking hand in hand with silver,
Close as gold to kiss,
Only lovers left alive
And they're swallowed in the mist.
I'm your Sword of Light.
Won't you be mine tonight.
I'm your Sword of Light tonight,
Going to scorch you deep inside,
Make you glad to be alive
Because I'm your Sword of Light.
Wrap tight your cloak around me
And I'll whisper close my dreams.
My home is such a long way
And I'm older than I seem.
I've come a long way with the good news;
I know you need my help.
But don't ask me to be your guide
I'm a stranger here myself.
???
I'm your Sword of Light.
Won't you be mine tonight.
I'm your Sword of Light tonight,
Going to scorch you deep inside,
Make you glad to be alive
Because I'm your Sword of Light.
Use both your hands to hold me.
Tight! and tighter should.
My heart is cold as steel
But my body's flesh and blood.
Walking hand in hand with silver,
Close as gold to kiss,
Only lovers left alive
And they're swallowed in the mist.
I'm your Sword of Light.
Won't you be mine tonight.
I'm your Sword of Light tonight,
Going to scorch you deep inside,
Make you glad to be alive
Because I'm your Sword of Light.
'Daybreak' once again makes an appearance.
Let me ask you this one question, was it really such a sin,
To love too much, to be closer than touch when there was no way we could win.
Ah and now I hear their voices they're closing in, but before they make their final move.
Take me in your arms and let me feel it one more time, the warm sweet breath of love.
Take me in your arms and let me feel it one more time, the warm sweet breath of love.
They've pursued us now it seems forever, they've caught up on us like time,
They've followed us close down every misbegotten highway, they haunt us like our crime,
and we're guilty, yes we'll always plead guilty to all the spells they said we wove,
Ah just for me weave it one more time, cast your spell of love.
And Take me in your arms and let me feel it one more time, the warm sweet breath of love.
Let me ask you this one question, was it really such a sin,
To love too much, to be closer than touch when there was no way we could win.
Ah and now I hear their voices they're closing in, but before they make their final move.
Take me in your arms and let me feel it one more time, the warm sweet breath of love.
Take me in your arms and let me feel it one more time, the warm sweet breath of love.
This is based on a Clare jig: Kilfenora.
With your face to the wind you're beginning to think of a new life,
And you pull tight your cloak 'round your throat and the wind seems to sing,
Though we're both on the run from a place in the sun and it's raining,
And there's strangers and dangers and darkness we're still going to win.
So don't you cry, don't you fear, wipe away each lonely tear.
If I were king of morning and you were queen of day,
We'd love all summer long together, love would find a way.
If I were king of evening and you were queen of night,
We'd pass the time in pleasure, we'd love until the morning light.
If I were king of morning and you were queen of day you would love me.
As the rain starts to fall, I recall how it was in the good times
When the sun seemed to shine and the wine was a gift from above,
But I know that the day's on its way and it's bringing us sunshine
So sing me a song, make it long, make it all about love.
And don't you cry, don't you fear, wipe away each lonely tear.
If I were king of morning and you were queen of day,
We'd love all summer long together, love would find a way.
If I were king of evening and you were queen of night,
We'd pass the time in pleasure, we'd love until the morning light.
If I were king of morning and you were queen of day you would love me.
With your face to the wind you're beginning to think of a new life,
And you pull tight your cloak 'round your throat and the wind seems to sing,
Though we're both on the run from a place in the sun and it's raining,
And there's strangers and dangers and darkness we're still going to win.
So don't you cry, don't you fear, wipe away each lonely tear.
If I were king of morning and you were queen of day,
We'd love all summer long together, love would find a way.
If I were king of evening and you were queen of night,
We'd pass the time in pleasure, we'd love until the morning light.
If I were king of morning and you were queen of day you would love me.
This is based on a Mayo air: Slán Cois Maigh.
We were wise, oh so wise,
Not given to lies or deceit.
We juggled secrets at our fingertips,
Wore diamonds at our feet.
We showed you ways to play old airs.
We said we could be friends.
But, when our backs were turned, you got us in the end.
We're the mystery of the lake where the water's still.
We're the laughter in the twilight,
You can hear beyond the hill.
We stay around to watch you laugh,
Destroy yourselves for fun.
But, you won't see us, we've grown sideways to the sun.
Sideways to the sun.
Sideways to the sun.
We're the mystery of the lake where the water's still.
We're the laughter in the twilight,
You can hear beyond the hill.
We stay around to watch you laugh,
Destroy yourselves for fun.
But, you won't see us, we've grown sideways to the sun.
Sideways to the sun.
Sideways to the sun.
Sideways to the sun.
Sideways to the sun.
Playford's Dancing Master
Drive the Cold Winter Away continues for the first verse of Ride to Hell.
You'll find him hard to recognise,
Cos he won't dress in black.
He wears a suit of gold lame,
With velvet front and back.
But he can touch your trembling heart,
Can touch your very soul:
Take you with him when he leaves.
And make your dreams turn old.
You'll find him hard to recognise,
Cos he won't dress in black.
He wears a suit of gold lame,
With velvet front and back.
But he can touch your trembling heart,
Can touch your very soul:
Take you with him when he leaves.
And make your dreams turn old.
Some people say that he's a fiend,
A devil in disguise,
He'll promise love and happiness,
Bright lights before your eyes,
And still you know you can't refuse,
No matter what you think.
You just have to taste the glamour,
Ovations as you sink.
Ride the nightmare,
On your ride to hell,
Ride the nightmare,
On your ride.
Ride the nightmare,
On your ride to hell,
Ride the nightmare,
On your ride.
He alone can read the signs
And he can read them well,
But where he gets his power,
There's no one here can tell.
So if you're out alone at night,
Be sure to take a friend
Cos it gets vicious lonely,
In a world that never ends.
Ride the nightmare,
On your ride to hell,
Ride the nightmare,
On your ride.
Ride the nightmare,
On your ride to hell,
Ride the nightmare,
On your ride.
He's sure to come a-calling,
When the shades of night are drawn,
A twisted blackthorn in his hand
He'll linger until dawn.
You wish to stay forever young,
But only he knows how,
It's his blessing, it's his curse,
And it's your decision now . . .
| Martin Feeney | martin@tuatha.org | Last Modified: 05 October 1997 |