Songs from the Mabinogi – Out 1st August

Within the glade at Glen Cuch Pwyll has seen off a pack of strange hounds from a mighty stag, and has set his one upon it. But the glade falls silent, still, and cold. His breath becomes as mist, and a bone biting cold enters the glade…

Verse 1
Here we are, right where our story begins, where will it end?
From now on, nothing will ever be the same again,
There’s still time, turn back and your life will be just as before,
If you stay your name will be spoken in tales, forevermore.
Forevermore.

Chorus
Who is this, who is this, who is this coming?
Who is this, who is this, who is this coming?

Verse 2
In your dream do you remember a voice saying your name?
I cast my spell, you came like a insect that flew too close to the flame,
Trees have cried and trapped you within their tears, free no more,
My darkened eyes have always been watching you from Other shores
Other shores.

Chorus
Who is this, who is this, who is this coming?
Who is this, who is this, who is this coming?

Verse 3
My hounds they call the souls of the dead to walk between the stars,
Ancient eyes reveal the secrets of future present and past,
Here am I, eternal night that is masked by the rising sun,
And I stand at the end of every life that has just begun,
Just begun.

Agreeing to help Arawn, Pwyll is led to one of the tombs of the Old People. A gateway into the Otherworld of Annwn. He knows there are but three results for those who enter, madness, wisdom, or death. Which one will fall upon him as he sees the sights and sounds of the Otherworld, he does not know…

Verse 1

Echoes from the land,

From earth and mud and sand,

Reveal your destiny,

Always meant to be,

One more step you’ll see,

The deepest mystery.

Verse 2

Bards tell of this shore,

Where Taliesin walked before,

But Gwion now has fled,

Three drops it is said,

A fire in the head,

Inspired, mad or dead.

Chorus

Annwn, song of eagle, over mountain, I can hear you.

Annwn, Arthur before me, Prydwen sail me, land of story.

Verse 3

A castle spinning slow,

And from the halls below,

The Harp of Faerie sings,

Of magicians and kings,

A blessing or a curse,

Your name now in its verse.

Verse 4

Echoes from the land,

From earth, mud and sand,

This is your destiny,

Always meant to be,

The Hidden Mystery,

One more step you’ll see.

Pwyll invites some of his warriors to walk with him, to the top of a hill nearby called Gorsedd Arberth. It is said that if a nobleman sits upon the hill one of two things will happen – either he will suffer wounds or blows, or he will see a wonder. Will a wonder show itself?

Chorus

Won’t you come and walk with me,

(On these hills these hollow hills)

Such a wonder there to see,

(So the story goes)

Neath the green and different skies,

(In these hills these hollow hills)

Is where the land of Faerie lies,

(So the story goes)

Verse 1

All is quiet, all is still, take a seat upon this hill,

The Eye of Bel is closing soon,

In evening’s twilight you sit down, upon this sacred hollow mound,

To receive a wonder or a wound.

Verse 2

From the day that you were born, and when you heard the hunter’s horn,

Is this freewill or destiny?

The Grey Folk smiling it is done, the spell is cast it has begun,

And such a wonder you will see,

Verse 3

And as that day back in the Glen, the air is still and silent when,

A vision from across the field,

The Gates of Annwn open wide, a Lady on a horse astride,

And now the prophecy’s revealed.

Instrumental

The Goddess appears beneath Gorsedd Arberth riding a pale horse. This song tells her story.

Verse 1

High on a horse a lady rides,

Through the fields and the meadows along the hillside,

A gentle pace and such grace in her stride,

Dressed in rich finery

No one could catch her is what they say,

Until a young Prince came riding that way.

For the sake of the one you love most I pray,

Wait and speak with me.

Oh where are you going my pretty young one,

At the end of the day neath the setting sun?

To meet with my husband is why I have come,

And it’s you I have come to see.

Chorus

Rhiannon, high on a hill a horse is galloping there,

Rhiannon, carved into the land, by an ancient hand, her story for to share.

Verse 2

Thus they were married and ruled the land well,

But the Prince’s advisers began to rebel,

When they saw the land with no heir to tell,

They told him to take a new wife.

But he loved Rhiannon so asked for one year,

For their fate to change, their story to steer,

They prayed to the Earth and the Sun shed a tear,

And thus they were blessed with new life.

An heir to the kingdom, a healthy son,

His eyes were as wild as a stallion,

His hair was as gold as the midday Sun,

But once more fate rolled the dice.

Verse 3

Tired from childbirth she laid down to rest,

Her maidens they too fell asleep it is said,

An empty crib at the foot of her bed,

For their lives another would die,

Lady, oh lady what have you done?

We are covered in bruises you were too strong,

In a fearsome rage you have eaten your son,

And the maidens stuck to their lie,

Now she stands at the mounting block outside the walls,

Telling her story to whoever calls,

To carry them all on her back as a horse.

Be they King or passer by.

Falsely accused of killing her son, Rhiannon is punished for years. Sentenced to stand before the castle gates, to tell her story to every visitor, then to go down on all fours and to offer to carry each one into the castle on her back. But then, reunited with her long-lost son. This is their song.

Pryderi

Is this really true?

Can it be? Can it be?

I see in your eyes,

Joy and sadness,

Mother I never knew,

Now I see, now I see,

The torment and lies,

But now this madness.

Is over, our life has begun,

Hold me, your lost child, your son.

Rhiannon

Is this really true?

Can it be? Can it be?

All those years ago,

Stolen from me,

Somehow I always knew,

Now I see, now I see,

The boy I’ll come to know,

Stands before me,

Lost years oh they can’t be undone.

Let me hold you, my lost child, my son.

Pryderi and Rhiannon

Is this really true?

Can it be? Can it be?

I’ll never let you go,

I feel you breathing,

Yes it’s really you,

And can you see, can you see,

A mare and her foal,

Wild and running,

Through green fields,

Bathed and warmed by the sun,

Mother and the Mabon as one.

As Bran and his brothers stand upon the Rock of Harlech, they see thirteen sails approaching from the direction of Ireland…

Verse 1

Bran the High King, what do you see?

On the rolling tide, O’r the sea from Ireland.

I see thirteen sails, and a shield tip raised high,

On the rolling tide, O’r the sea from Ireland.

Verse 2

Go down, go down, and see what they bring,

Those Ships from the west, on the rolling sea.

Tis the King, tis the King, an alliance to bring,

Branwen’s hand, your sister to marry.

Verse 3

Let him land, let him land, for I do agree,

My sister’s hand, for a promise of peace,

Go now, go now, by land and by sea,

To Ynys Mon, at Aberffaw we shall meet.

As Bran offers a gift, so impressive that it must surely restore peace, the tale of how the Cauldron of Rebirth came into his possession unfolds…

Verse 1

A king was a-hunting, upon a high hill,

A great lake below him, so wide and so still,

The sweetness of heather, it hung in the air,

His eyes sharp and searching for prey.

Then down in the valley, from water so black,

A giant came crawling, a cauldron on his back,

And then came a woman, much greater than he,

The dark lake to the light of the day.

Chorus

From the Lake of the Cauldron,

The Lake of the Cauldron,

From the Lake of the Cauldron they rise, they rise.

From the Lake of the Cauldron,

The Lake of the Cauldron,

From the Lake of the Cauldron they rise.

Verse 2

Pray give us some shelter, they said to the king,

My wife soon with child, and our offspring,

Will be born as a warrior, with sword and with shield,

Fully armed and ready for war.

The king he agreed, and for a full year,

All lived in peace, but he began to hear,

How they made themselves loathsome,

And his people they cried,

Gather arms, and ready the storm.

Verse 3

A chamber of iron, and on every side,

Blacksmiths brought coals, and ran off to hide,

They fed the whole family, with food and with mead,

And soon they were sleeping inside.

The coals soon were blazing, the house filled with screams,

Their children they perished, lost in the flames,

But the man and his wife, they made their escape,

Setting sail on the turn of the tide.

Verse 4

Pray give us some shelter, they said to the king,

We give you this cauldron, our gift to bring,

Our sons and our daughters will spread through the land,

The best weapons are made by our hands.

Bran carried all of the stringed instruments and Bards upon his back, and together, we made our way across the sea, to the shores of Ireland…

Verse 1

Swineherds, sea shore, such a tale to bring,

Came to the palace therefore to meet the king,

May you prosper, please tell what did you see?

A forest on the ocean, where we never saw a single tree.

Verse 2

What else did you see there, tell me, please confide,

A moving mountain, a lake on either side,

Go fetch Branwen for I know that only she,

May know this vision and solve this mystery

Verse 3

What is that forest, moving towards our shore?

The ships and masts of Albion, that carry Her men to war,

The mountain is my brother as he strides across the sea,

The lakes his dark eyes that gaze at you with fury.

We arrived on the shores of Ynys Mon. Branwen looked out to Ireland, then back to the Island of the Mighty. “Oh that I was never born, two islands have been laid waster because of me”

Verse 1 – Branwen

What have I done, so much pain,

Countless lives lost, and all in vein,

Such brave men, their swords and shields,

Now lay upon those blood-soaked fields.

Verse 2 – Branwen

If I had known, what was to come,

Of the tears I shed for my only son,

Kingdoms broken, torn apart,

Only death will heal my broken heart.

Chorus

Gwae fi fy ngenedigaeth

Dwy ynys dda, a ddiffeithiwyd o’m achos I

Verse 3 – Pryderi

Walk away into the sun,

For our time here is o’er and done,

What lay ahead, our hopes and fears,

Now flow upon the Raven’s tears.

Chorus

Gwae fi fy ngenedigaeth

Dwy ynys dda, a ddiffeithiwyd o’m achos I

As soon as we began the feast three birds came. We had to gaze far out to see to catch sight of them, yet their song was clear and true. As if they were in the court with us. Their song was the most beautiful sound we had ever heard. All other birdsong was harsh when compared theirs. The peak of each wave on the ocean shone white in the sunlight as if a million white horses galloped towards the shore. Then I knew. These were my Mother’s birds. The Birds of Rhiannon had arrived.

Verse 1

Life it can,

Feel just like falling sand,

From my open hand,

I let it fall.

Then on the wing,

Three birds begin to sing,

And white horses bring,

Their song to shore.

I hear your voice over the sea,

Mother take this pain from me!

Chorus

Comfort me,

Make us strong,

Hear the hope within the Birds of Rhiannon’s song,

Now I see,

All along,

The ocean your white horses ride upon,

Bring Birds of Rhiannon’s song.

Verse 2 – Rhiannon

I am here,

There’s nothing more to fear,

I’ll catch your falling tears,

In the sea.

So hear my song,

And may your heart be strong,

May all your pain be gone,

My son be free.

Wherever you go, whate’er you do,

I am always there with you.

Verse 3

The sky blood red,

Your birds have always led,

Guide the souls of the dead,

To Western Lands,

Neath the setting sun

Branwen walks with her son,

There with Efnyssien,

Hand in hand.

And every soul lost in the war,

Hear waves break upon another shore.

And so we made our way to Dyfed. With us travelled the 5 other survivors of the war. As we rode, and when we made camp, the young Bard Taliesin sang the songs of the land, of hill, of valley, of lake and mountain stream. He told the tales of the Old People, the songs of standing stone and sacred mound, and the time passed as sure as night follows day. 

Verse 1

There was a time I was sure,

I might see my home nevermore,

The blood and the tears of the war,

Would last forever.

Our King gazes over the sea,

Two blessed ravens fly high and fly free,

And I pray that I’ll always be,

Here forever.

Bridge

Where high water falls into valleys below,

And Merlin’s great mountains are painted with snow.

The circles of stones whisper stories of long ago.

Chorus

For if ever I may roam,

From the Stones and Bones of Albion,

The land and sea my home,

My heart will always remain.

How I need to hear the songs,

From the Stones and Bones of Albion,

This is where my soul belongs,

The Shining Brow singing from every tree,

The birds, the beasts, 

Sing the Stones and Bones of Albion.

Verse 2

Hear as Song of the Wind,

Joins with the voice of the Bard as he sings,

Of magic and cauldrons and Kings,

Forever,

Sing of the Wisdom of trees,

How the Druids told all of their Lore to the bees,

Reflected in all that he sees,

Forever.

Bridge

As the high water falls into valleys below,

And Merlin’s great mountains are painted with snow.

The circles of stones whisper stories of long ago.

Verse 3

What are these visions I see,

Of oak, of broom, of meadowsweet,

Of eyes that yearn to be free,

Forever,

Two dragons take to the wing,

A sword is drawn from a stone he sings,

A boy born to be King,

Forever

And so the four of us, with our entire retinue, made our way up the hill of Gorsedd Arberth, just as my father had done. 

What possessed me to make that suggestion? 

I thought, at the time, it was free will, but hindsight is a powerful thing, and of course, I soon understood that it was once more the influence of Annwn, gently guiding my fate, as it always had done.

Verse 1

An uninvited guest,

Whispered words only I can hear,

Such a kind request,

Come, it says, there is nothing there to fear.

My feet upon the land

Where years gone past my Father trod before

Shadow silhouettes,

Phantom hands they open up the door.

Chorus:

Won’t you come and walk with me

It’s how the story goes

Such a wonder there to see

On this hill

This hollow hill

Once more. 

Verse 2

In my mother’s eyes,

The path has gone there’s nowhere left to run,

Lightning fills the sky,

The darkened moon creeps across the sun.

Whispered magic words,

Bind us in this tragic rendezvous

And from between the worlds,

Annwn’s breath comes ever seeping through.

Verse 3

North, south, west and east,

The mist withdraws. See what is revealed,

No building bird or beast,

No corn or farmer working in the field.

Have I gone insane?

A puppet hanging from another’s hand,

Am I the one to blame?

Have I brought this curse upon the land?

As Rhiannon rode out from Glyn Cuch into the sunlight the shadow-figure pursuing her stopped, let out an anguished cry, and disappeared back into the forest. The castle stood in the valley below, its gate, and the door to the inner keep lay open.

Verse 1

I can feel you near,

Come to me now,

There’s nothing to fear,

What do you see?

Surrender now,

Your curiosity.

I am,

The Universe touched by Divinity,

I stand, 

With endless chains into eternity.

Chorus

I will not boil for one foresworn,

Spells cast in a gathering storm,

Pour vengeance, malice, blood and scorn,

And from the void your will,

Your will is born.

Verse 2

Yes I have your son,

Run to him now,

The spell is nearly done,

Reach out your hands,

To shining pearls,

You still don’t understand,

His eyes,

Wide with fear this feels just like a dream,

The prize

As doors they close upon your silent scream.

Verse 3

The castle slowly turns,

Beneath me now,

A kindled fire burns,

Breath of the Nine,

A shroud of mist,

Now that you are mine,

See how,

We fade away, as darkness starts to fall,

And now,

An ocean roars beyond these castle walls.

That morning he snatched the glove from above the fireplace and walked the path to Gorsedd Arberth. Along the way he cut two twigs from a blackthorn tree which he fashioned into small poles, a hook on each end, then he cut another to form the gibbet. He appreciated his handiwork as he climbed up to the top of the hill. Once there he pushed the first two twigs into the earth, balanced the third on the two hooks, then got out a small piece of twine, fashioned a noose, and tied it to the crosspiece of the tiny gibbet…

Verse 1

Empty lands and barren fields,

For 7 years is all I have known,

I have known.

Who is this approaching me,

On Arberth’s hill I see I’m not alone,

Not alone.

The poet shakes his head and his decree,

“This act it is beneath you can’t you see?”

Offers me a pound to set it free

Set it free

Chorus

It’s a thief and it will be a thief no more,

I will hang it in accordance with the law,

With its little legs a-dangling it will sway

I swear that it won’t see another day,

Now be on your way

Verse 2

A tiny twig, a length of twine,

And this evil thief will soon atone,

Soon atone,

But who is this approaching me,

On Arberth’s hill I see I’m not alone,

Not alone.

A Priest shakes his head and his decree,

“This act it is beneath you can’t you see?”

Offers me three pounds to set it free

Set it free

Verse 3

The little noose around its neck,

Soon this thief will be as cold as stone,

Cold as stone,

But who is this approaching me,

On Arberth’s hill I see I’m not alone,

Not alone.

A Druid shakes his head and his decree,

“This act it is beneath you can’t you see?”

Offers 7 pounds to set it free

Offer all the horses I can see,

And all the bags they’re carrying to me,

To set it free

Chorus

It’s a thief and it will be a thief no more,

I will hang it in accordance with the law,

With its little legs a-dangling it will sway,

The Druid asks how much he needs to pay,

I say you have an unhealthy love of mice,

The Druid says to me name your price,

Name your price

Verse 1

Silver branch,

Calls to every ear and heart and soul,

Honey-tongue,

Sings the spell your heart has always known.

I will be your guide,

Doors they open wide,

To Otherworlds we’ll fly,

Away.

Verse 2

Awen’s song,

All that was, is, and will ever be,

13 Moons,

The Witch’s son will claim his destiny,

But youth will claim their prize,

On golden wheat he lies,

Consumed, reborn, he shines,

Away.

Chorus

Spellsinger,

Charmweaver,

Spellsinger,

Charmweaver. 

Verse 3

Spell is sung,

And the world will be forever changed,

Fire has gone,

Spirits dance in embers that remain,

Home from distant shores,

This time and space once more,

Your soul still yearns to soar,

Away.

Verse 1

Take my hand my darling,

I have come to take you home,

As my birds paint their path across the sky,

I know you’re oh so tired,

Of this battlefield of life,

What will they do when your Sun no longer shines?

Rhiannon Chorus

The time has come

Let my birds guide your way

The dying Sun

Will bring the dawn to another day,

As white horses ride away.

Verse 2

I see the light is fading,

Although the night is far away,

Hold me close, Mother, I feel so very cold,

A hand upon my shoulder,

Father kneeling by my side,

I know it’s time, for a new story to be told.

Pryderi/Rhiannon Chorus

The time has come,

Let your birds guide the way

The dying Sun

Will bring the dawn to another day,

As white horses ride away. 

Verse 1

I stand, on this high cliff 

And I look out, see the skiffs

As they are rowing, o’er a boundless sea.

See how, the castle’s turning,

And I feel my heart is yearning,

To just let go, fall, and to be free.

Chorus

I’m the Son of the Sea,

And a wave will not break below me.

I’m the Son of the Sea,

Brother to Land and Sky,

I’m the Son of the Sea,

And a wave will not break below me.

And there in my home,

I feel like I’ll never die.

Verse 2

One step, I am falling,

Then behind me, voices calling,

As the waves break, on the rocks below.

Eyes wide, looking, searching,

Then they see me, from the waves emerging,

And I swim free, to the Great Whale Road.

Verse 3

My joy, salt and spray,

I am laughing, jump and play,

As the seals spin, and gulls call my name,

Then I hear, a sailors’ song,

Then a great spear, fast and long,

Is raised high, ready to take aim.

Verse 1

Turning Castle sacred shore,

Stepping through an oaken door,

To a hallway deep within,

There my Mother slowly spins,

Still her hand, see her stand,

Questioning her brother who I am.

So replies great Gwydion,

This boy before you is your son,

I reject this shame you bring,

The shame is but a tiny thing,

Eyes grow dark, fingers spark,

Curse is sung, and I would not be free,

I decree this destiny,

To never be named unless given by me!

Verse 2

Gwydion he cast a spell,

A ship was formed where seaweed fell,

Our shoes they were beyond compare,

My Mother came to see our wares,

That was when, lands a wren,

A stone it left my hand, strong and true.

For some lowly artisan,

The Fair One has a Steady Hand,

So up speaks great Gwydion,

Sister you have named your son,

Eyes grow dark, fingers spark,

Curse is sung, and I would not be free,

I decree this destiny,

To never have weapons unless given by me!

Verse 3

Years they passed, a boy no more,

Poets came to my Mother’s door,

A phantom army sailing near,

Gwydion told her have no fear,

Our decoy, arm the boy,

And thus she gave me sword and shield.

As the armies they drew near,

All the warriors disappeared,

Then up speaks great Gwydion,

Sister you have armed your son,

Eyes grow dark, fingers spark,

And thus my Mother laid her final curse,

I decree this destiny,

You’ll never have a wife from the race of this Earth!

Verse 1

Who are you?

All alone, eyes wide with fear,

Running past our shore,

Now we sing,

To your maidens, oh so near,

Our ever-open door.

To be with us forevermore.

Verse 2

Who are you?

Filled with hate, your dark eyes bleed,

With a raging storm.

Now we sing,

From still waters, we will feed,

Lead them to our shore,

To be with us forevermore.

Chorus

Waters black and cold, so the tale is told,

Of the Shades below

(Llyn Morwynion)

Neath a darkened Moon, the Gwragedd Annwn,

Sing their mournful tune

(Llyn Morwynion)

Verse 3

Waters rise,

Voices calling from the dark,

You will breathe no more,

Cold embrace,

Draws you down into the depths,

Your body washed ashore,

Now sing with us forevermore.

Verse 4

All is done,

Waters dark and still once more,

Mountains cold and grey.

We will wait,

Sing our spell forevermore,

Calling to our prey,

As he turns and walks away.

Verse 1

Look into the water, tell me what do you see?
I see a woman of flowers crying out to be free.
I see a Goddess, a woman, in a circle of trees.
I see Math and Gwydion fall to their knees.
Fall to their knees.

Chorus
Welcome the May Queen,
Sing for her now,
For as the year turns to Samhain
She’ll return as an owl,
Blodeuwedd the owl.

Verse 2

Stand alone in the tower, watch over your land.
Hear the call of a hunter, call him into your hands.
He is dark, he is handsome, and the King is away,
Gronw says he must go now, but you ask him to stay,
Ask him to stay.

Verse 3

She can’t live without him, so while the King is away,
They plot to kill him in a year and a day.
With a foot on a cauldron, a goat holds him true.
By a fast running river, came the spear from Gronw,
And the eagle it flew.

Verse 4

My son where are you? For only I see,
An old rotting eagle upon an oak tree.
Come to me young lion and rest this night,
For your wife is a bird now, she will never see light,
Cursed to hunt in the night.