FIRST BATTLE OF MOYTURA

They came here when the sun was high,
the sea was calm to meet them.
From out of the wind above the hills,
come a fleet of godly men.
Borne on strong winds from the otherworld,
shrouded by magical mists,
the Tuatha De Danann came in their,
great magical mystical ships

Nuada,king of Tuatha De,
Turned his eager sharp eyes,
towards the land of his ancestral home,
the valleys,the sea and the skies.
He was a giant among mortal men,
a hero among the immortals,
who led his people(warriors strong),
back to the land of their fathers

The Fir Bolg,
who were in Eireann before the Tuatha De Danann,
sent Streng their mighty champian,
to parley with the future king.
Breas was sent by Nuada,
to find out his intent.
I greet you as a brother,said Streng,
by Eochai I've been sent

The terms of battle were laid,
half of Eireann Breas asked.
The Fir Bolg said This can't be paid.
The time of goodwill has now passed.
Both sides made plans,
they prepared their wells of healing.
Tribes and clans were led,
by the chieftains and their kings

The sun shone down on helmets,shields and swords.
Midsummers day,
the two armies walked in hordes.
Towards Magh Nai,
the Fir Bolg followed their chietains,
and swept towards the Tuatha De,
like waves crash on the beaches

The clash of sword and shield,
the splintering of bone.
The Fir Bolg would not yield,
though they heard their people's moans

The naked hillmen warriors,
were forced back through the fight.
Followed by his bodyguard,
The Dagda took their lives,
but the ground was piled high,
with the dead of the Tuatha De.
All surviving warriors fled,
to live and fight another day

We have been defeated,
but tomorrow's another day.
Summon your courage,
prepare yourselves,
tomorrow the Fir Bolg we slay.
Four more days of battle came,
and many fine warriors fell.
Mothers lost their fighting sons.
The wounded healed in wells.
Nuada lost his strong right arm,
now he will lose his throne.
The sons of Nuada killed Eochai,
but they too were overthrown.
Streng led the Fir Bolg to the fort,
and met with the injured Nuada.
Both men declared a truce,
and Eireann was fairly divided

If theirs mp3s up I'll download when i go to internet cafe again

Once i hear a few more tracks, im thinking a mothers-day worthy purchase.

PAGAN

A scourge on the world from it's earliest days,
Christ,his church and it's sinister ways.
Starter of wars,instigator of crimes,
despoiler of cultures,destroyer of minds.
More people have died in the name of Christ,
than any other in the history of life.
You kill all who oppose your perfidious might,
a religion of conquest born in black light

Our father who art in Heaven,
corruption be thy name.
You blind your people with lies,
false prophet your ownly gain.
Thy kingdom come and be done,
your time is now at an end.
The veil is slowly being lifted.
Your past you must try to defend

They prey on our children,
so young and naive.
These paedophile s,
they are a disease.
They preach about love,
or so I am told,
but the love that they practice,
is wicked and cold

THE GREAT HUNGER

We are alone in this cursed land,
left to die like starving dogs.
Our crops have failed us yet again,
nothing grows in this desolate bog.
I hold my daughter in my arms.
She is too weak to stand or walk.
Her face is gaunt,her belly empty;
she cannot see,she cannot talk

What money I had has all been spent,
on bread and milk and blood rent.
They take from us all that we have,
these b*stards that from Hell were sent.
My wife is dead.My home is lost,
all around me dead and dying.
I grip my child,I hold her tight.
I must go on,I must keep trying

To the harbour is where I plan to go,
to escape the land I love so dear.
The English are the rulers here.
They eat their fill.They have no fear.
I look to the heavens and shout aloud,
''What has poor Ireland done?''
The world looks on and sees us starve,
dying one by one

My strength has failed,I cant go on.
Beside my daughter I lay.
Some bread or corn could save her life.
All I can do is pray.
I hold her hand and wipe a tear,
as I watch a new day dawn.
My daughter seems so peaceful now,
to heaven she is gone

blood SUNDAY

Remember well the 30th of January,
the feeling of dread that was in the air.
The people marched for their right to equality,
they only wanted to be treated fair.
Shots were fired by a mindless military,
the people ran.They were unarmed.
Across the world we will read of Derry,
and those who died by oppressive hands

13 people lost their lives that Sunday.
Women,children and innocent men.
Many wounded lay crying in agony.
The knights of Malta attended them.
And so began the government cover up.
And so began the lies and deceit.
Soldiers' statements would be changed and torn up.
No reports would come from men on the street

As the years went by the people began to talk,
the hidden crimes were now being told.
Innocent protestors shot in the back,
left to die in the winter cold.
The bullets used had all been tampered,
maximum injury would come from them.
This tyranny will not go un-noticed.
Our day will come again

MICHAEL COLLINS

A volunteer in his nations struggle,
another soldier in the GPO.
The rising failed,our leaders captured.
The English grip would not let go,
but Michael would return to lead us,
in our fight to re-claim our lands.
The IRB will march victorious,
for they shall have the upper hand

He rallied men from far and wide,
to join the rebellion that lay ahead.
His murder squad was formed in earnest.
The secret service soon lay dead,
in reprisal the British army killed,
innocent people watching a hurling game.
That day would become a turning point.
Irish psyche would never be the same

The customs house was set on fire.
The IRB became the IRA.
The time was nigh to call a cease-fire,
July 11th would be that day.
De Valera,our elected president,
knew a republic he would not get.
He sent Collins to meet the British.
He sent Collins to his death!

The British treaty was signed by Collins,
a free state was all they would give.
A step towards independence,
is better than a war we cannot win.
Many people did not agree with him,
civil war split the country in two.
Michael would die from an Irish bullet.
He gave his best.What more could he do?

ARD RI NA HEIRANN

A tale of honour I will now tell,
about a man strong and true.
Brian Boru was his name,
and through his deeds a nation grew.
He was born in a time of bondage,
the viking raiders claimed his lands.
His hatred grew when he saw his mother,
killed by vicious viking hands

His brother Mahon strived for peace.
Brian knew it would never come.
''The vikings have us by the throat!
They kill our children just for fun''
Boru left with a group of men,
they rode into the fading light.
He would attack the many viking camps,
and vanish in the dark of night

Brian Boru,
our beloved son,
fought the Dane.
He fought and won.
Lost his life at 88.
Death by a viking blade was his fate

Brian Boru,
our last Ard Ri,
led the Gael to victory.
Could not stand his country's plight.
He removed the vikings from his sight

Malachy,the king of Meath,
with Brian face to face,
they both agreed that Brian should take,
the monarchy of the Gaelic race.
Brian had much word to do,
to heal the wounds of Danish reign.
He planned a massive call to arms,
to remove the last of the Dane

To Clontarf Brian's army marched,
to give the Dane their final fight.
The army charged with swords help high,
the viking line was soon in sight.
The battle raged for many hours,
and many fine warriors fell,
but victory was always ours.
The Gaelic might could not be quelled

Brian Boru,
our beloved son,
fought the Dane.
He fought and won.
Lost his life at 88.
Death by a viking blade was his fate

Brian Boru,
our last Ard Ri,
led the Gael to victory.
Could not stand his country's plight.
He removed the vikings from his sight

Michael Collins

TO MOYTURA WE RETURN

On the day of the De Danann rule,
Breas ruled the pagan lands.
He led his people as a fool,
under the shadow of Balor's hand.
The Tuatha De lived a life of pain,
in body and spirit their weakness grew,
as though their battle was in vain.
This can't go on the people knew

Dagda, All father,
once God and provider,
fell into disgrace with the king.
The food he recieved,
would not feed a spider.
The best pieces,
Cridinbel would win.
Aengus was shoked,
by the state of his father.
''Crindinbel must die''
he did say.
He put gold in the food,
and the food on the platter.
Crindinbel fell dead,
on that sacred day

Nuada awoke from the otherworld dream,
his hand was forged by the Gods.
Water was brought,
from the healing stream.
''You will be king''
he nods

Breas journied to the Fomor lands,
and met his Fomorian father.
They held each other in their hands,
their kinship would stay hereafter

The Il-Dana came to meet with Nuada,
the greatest hero of the Tuatha De.
The Fomor arrived for their early tax,
these savages Il-Dana did slay.
Balor declared war,
and sent his tribes.
Nuada prepared,
as did the scribes

Samhain approached and tensions were high.
Dagda went to the Fomor spy.
Breas the dishonoured led a Fomor invasion.
The Il-Dana won this first battle occasion

Back to Moytura the De Danann returned,
they set up camp and the Pagan fires burned.
The first day of battle was a mighty event.
Druids were chanting as the scouts forth were sent

A great clash of shields,
cries of war and frenzy,
blood fell on fields,
each warrior the enemy

Nuada killed Indech,
the king of the Fomor.
The worm God was unleashed,
with a taste for war

Nuada raised his sword of light,
against the mighty Cromcruach.
Balor caught him in his sight,
Nuada died a hero's death

But Balor to the ground was cast,
Il-Dana was the new high king.
De Danann heroes won at last,
never again to laugh and sing

Written for AblaZine in 2000

This first question is for sure common, but since it is the first time you have been featured in AblaZine, I would like you to remind us of the history of Cruachan. By the way, as your first alb*m has been released more than 4 years ago, could you please tell us what happened in and for the band during this time?

It is a fairly long story. I started in a band called Minas Tirith about 7 years ago and we played music dedicated to JRR Tolkien. We had a tiny bit of folk influence which I really liked so I decided to start a dedicated folk metal band. Cruachan was born, I got my big brother in playing all the wind instruments and loads of other people that are gone now. We signed to Nazguls and released Tuatha Na Gael which got quite a good response considering it had such poor production. We then received interest from Century Media, they flew me over to Germany to discuss signing. They tried to impress us with how good they are but they are nasty, nasty people. Their contract was laughed at by any solicitor we showed it to. It had ridiculous clauses that said things like ''If I write a piece of music in my bedroom, it will not be classed as my music, it legally belongs to Century media.'' F*ck that, there was lots of cr*p like that on it. Because of them I just said ''F*ck it'' and left the whole music thing alone. I felt totally disheartened that a band would spend all that time trying to do well and that's what is waiting at the end. Anyway, it turns out not all labels are like those w*nkers and when we got back into it, Hammerheart were there to take us. Fair f*cking ba11s to them

Nevertheless Cruachan is back with a new alb*m called The Middle Kingdom and a new line up. A new female vocalist has joined the band, as well as a new drummer, while Leon, Collette and Jay have left the band. Could you introduce the new members? What is their musical past?

We originally got Karen in to sing two songs. I was going to sing the rest. When we heard her sing we were totally impressed and asked her to join full time, she was delighted and said yes straight away. Joe was found in our local pub in a pool of his own vomit. They have both been in bands before, I don't really know what bands or anything so they mustnt have been very good

As we speak of the line up, why do you now use your real names and not the archaic Irish form used on the previous album? It appears like a paradox as it seems that you still have the same kind of influences and the same passion burning for the glorious past of the Celts

The reason is quite simple on my part, a lot of people were confused. They thought Keith Fay and Keith 0 Fathaigh were different people. Anyway, the Irish names were not done to try make us sound mystical or anything, they are the true translations of our names

Musically, your style has changed a bit as you are now quite far from your black metal debut. Why have you put such a distance between this musical genre and Cruachan? What do you think of a band like Skyclad? Do you have anything in common?

Musically we never really did sound like a black metal band but we did and still have a lot in common. Our beliefs, although strictly private, are similar to a lot of today's black metal bands. The main difference is that we are not using our beliefs as a selling point. Skyclad are a very good band, if the truth be known it was songs like The Widershin's Jig and Spinning Jenny in their early days that influenced me in some ways

How would you define your new alb*m in comparison with Tuatha Na Gael?

A lot better. 4 years is a lot of time to improve on every aspect of the band. Certainly as a song writer I have improved. One major criticism of Cruachan was our repetitiveness, I think we have sorted that out on this album. The vocals are a lot more in tune with the music in sound and idea. The production is a lot better

Most of the bands coming from Ireland are using some folk influences in their music. Just think of Primordial, Carnun, Waylander, Geasa etc But The Middle Kingdom will set new standards in Celtic folk metal. How did you decide to play this kind of music?

Musically, I listen to many genres, like a real musician should. I draw influence from everything and anything. I adore classical music and I think this is shown in a lot of my keyboard parts. I obviously listen to a lot of different metal, and there is a lot of different metal styles on the album. It never was a decision to play this music. It's just a part of myself and my brother John to write music this way

What is the most important aspect in Cruachan, the folk musical feeling or the tribute to the first Masters Of Europe it represents?

A hard question. Both are very important

Does that explain the number of instrumental tracks featured on the album?

The instrumental tracks are very much a part of Cruachan and always will be. Some of the tunes that we use in the instrumentals are variations on tunes played by the Celts hundreds of years ago

When it comes to your musical influences, which are the bands which influenced you? What is the importance of folk music in your everyday life? Do you play in non metal bands?

My influences have been covered up above. Folk music is very important to me. I listen to a lot of different traditional music, not only from Ireland but Scotland, France, Spain, Portugal, all Celtic countries with proud Celtic roots. At the moment I work full time but I am seriously considering doing a kind of unplugged Cruachan thing were we can play the pubs of Ireland doing traditional songs for a fee and making a living that way. So when we come back from playing abroad we can hang up our electric guitars and go playing around Ireland. It is something I would love to do

Unfortunately, the Celtic and Gaelic history is not well known by most of our readers. Could you please give us a few details about the topics you deal with in your lyrics?

I write many different songs and poems, only a few are ever used in Cruachan. On the new alb*m there are a few different subjects sang about. One song is about the wild horses that roam the Wicklow mountains close to my house. Another is about the faerie lore of my country. Celtica is a narration of the Morrigan's view on the fate of our planet. The Morrigan was part of the Badb. She was a goddess of war. To Hell Or Connaught tells of the time the English came to Ireland and terrorised the peasant people. Na Fianna is a simple little poem about Ireland's famous band of Celtic warriors

One of the tracks has a very particular story. Could you tell us more about O Ro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile?

In 1916, Ireland was part of the British commonwealth and a lot of our men were fighting for England in France. At this time my people had enough of British rule, we were treated like dirt in our own country, we almost died out as a people because of the famine and the British would not lift a finger to help. I have no grudges against the English today, if anything, most English people are ashamed of how Ireland was treated back then. Anyway, to keep things short, Padraig Pearce (the leader of the IRA at the time) wrote this song to encourage our men to come home and fight for our country. He was executed by the British in May 1916, for standing up for HIS country. Independance did come but at a cost as we all know

Do you think that Cruachan will one day hit the stage and tour all over Europe?

Well, finally we are signed to a proper label, it should definetly happen in the near future. The sooner the better

As you know, there is a Celtic Music festival every year in the French Brittania (in Lorient). Did you ever attend it and would you like to play there?

My favourite folk group The Chieftans have played their quite a lot in the past. I have never attended but as you can imagine it is a place I would love to go. To play there would be an absolute honour, the acoustic version of Cruachan that I am planning would be well suited

Thank you very much for this interview. Could you please close off with your own words?

Thanks to AblaZine for the interview, thanks to all who read it. Slan Leat

Is there interest in later interviews of Cruachan? If so, reply to the topic and I'll add more

The Great Hunger

mielikki sweet sweet friend please add further interviews of Cruachan please :) and i hope 1 day the band resurrects i got 1 alb*m but with the 1 alb*m i see not see lol hear their greatness :)

Keith Fay has become the lead vocalist again following the departure of Karen Gilligan. A session female vocalist will be utilised on tours to sing her parts.

Now i have tuatha na gael, middle kingdom, folklore, pagan and morrigans call. And i really do love this band they kick mielikki thanks heaps 4 introducing me 2 them. They are so my cup o tea :)

I know this is going 2 be a dumb question mielikki but does ur reply above mean that Cruachan is still an active band (hopeful)

Yes, they will make a new album

Only track i recall is ''some say the Devil is dead'' and while i liked and found it ammusing, im not sure i can get excited about themes involving theBritish as tyranical vilains or the use of English when refering to British acts.

Yes its silly and irrationally petty of me, but i cant help it, suppose its what treason would feel like to a patriot, cant explain nor justify it, having not really given them a chance.
call me blinkered, close minded shameful, guilt ridden, hateful or whatever else, i cant see myself taking to Cruachan. Sorry

Well, I just got hold of a copy of Pagan and am enjoying it thoroughly! =) Listening to Micheal Collins, atm - awesome stuff!!!