Salthaya Berah Shah'Foo or Spirits of the Fog, from the epic poem The Ballad of Mish
This section is frequently whispered to children on foggy days to keep them indoors and under the watchful eyes of their parents, and is the only portion of the poem known by most individuals.
'twas days like these the ancients feared
that spirits roamed the land
and venturing insecure throughout
they traveled hand in hand
for scarce they knew how oft' had tread
through ice, and muck, and bog
those formless, wandering beings of old...
the spirits of the fog!
Dore'i Wavoo or Rise Sun
This traditional tune is frequently sung around the enormous bonfires on the eve preceding Sunsdawn. It is accompanied by heavy drumbeats, reed pipes, and frenzied dancing.
Rise Sun and shine shine Your firey arms send clouds away Brighten land, brighten eyes Let no drops fall from cloud or eye
Rise Sun and shine shine Your light sets streets aflame Burn feet, burn streets Let no feet cease to dance
Rise Sun and shine shine
Sheen Ber'Erin or The Blade of Ehrin
This song is sung by bards, all of whom claimed to have learned it from, their masters before them, who claim the same thing. It is unknown now who or what the song refers to, although the names match some patterns found amongst the northernmost tribes about two thousand years ago.
Avenging and bright fall the swift sword of Ehrin,
On him who the brave sons of Ehtsrah betray'd!
For ev'ry fond eye he hath waken'd a tear in,
A drop from his heart-wounds shall weep o'er her blade!
By the red cloud that hung over Khonner's dark dwelling,
When Ulad's three champions lay sleeping in gore
By the billows of war, which so often, high swelling,
Have wafted these heroes to victory's shore.
We swear to revenge them! no joy shall be tasted,
The harp shall be silent, the maiden unwed,
Our halls shall be mute and our fields shall lie wasted,
'Till vengeance is wreak'd on the murderer's head!
Yes brother tho' sweet are our home recollections,
'Tho sweet are the tears that from tenderness fall;
Tho' sweet are our friendships, our hopes, our affections,
Revenge on a tyrant is sweetest of all!
The following are ancient tomes found near the northern borders in writing style similar to the language of The Blade of Ehrin. The use of ( ) indicates missing words on the stone in which the words were inscribed.
The ( ) goeth forth to war,
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood red banner streams afar:
Who follows in his train?
Who best can drink his cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his staff below,
He follows in his train.
The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone
In the ranks of death you will find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery!"
The Minstrel Boy will return we pray
When we hear the news, we all will cheer it,
The minstrel boy will return one day,
Torn perhaps in body, not in spirit.
Then may he play on his harp in peace,
In a world such as intended,
For all the bitterness ( ) cease,
And ev'ry battle must be ended.
Every culture has stories, songs, and poetry that define who the people are. Here are just a few, translated as closely as possible.