The Dagda’s Harp

1 week ago by @mikedelaney

Liner Notes

#folk
This is a retelling of an Irish folktale originally written down in the 800s.

Lyrics

The Dagda’s Harp – Mike Delaney for FAWM2025

The Dagda, known as the “Good God”
Had three things that made him strong
First, his always-full cauldron never ran out
It could feed any sized throng

The second was his staff called lorg mór (lore-ik more)
The staff could deal out joy or strife
The rough end of the staff caused instant death
But the smooth end restored life

Chorus:
The Dagda was the Tuatha’s God (TOO-ah-ha)
Their father strong; his vision sharp
His wisdom true; his shoulders broad
Uaithne (OOH-ath-na) was his magic Harp
Uaithne was his magic Harp

The rival Formorians stole The Dagda’s harp
Hung Uaithne up in their banquet hall
But The Dagda took his men, Lug (Lug) and Ogma (OH-ma)
To get it back off the wall

When the three snuck quietly into the hall
The Dagda summoned his harp right away
It flew off the wall straight back to him
Killing nine (warriors along) the way

Chorus

Bridge:
The Dagda summoned three tunes from the harp
Goltraí (GOAL-tree) made the women weep
Geantraí (GEE-ahn-tree) made the woman and children laugh
Suantraí (SOO-ahn-tree) put everyone asleep
And then the three men left with the harp
And ever since then…
Harp music has been putting people to sleep

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