Medieval Irish poem (c. 10th-12th century), from ancient oral tradition [Verse 1] Tuath Dé Danand na set soim. Cáit a fuaradar foglaim? Do rangadar suigecht slán A n-druigecht, a n-diabaldán. [Chorus 1] Iardanel Find, faith co feib, Mac Nemid, mac Agnomain, D’ar mac baeth Beothach bertach, Ba loech leothach, lánfhertach. Clanna Beothaich — beoda a m-blad — Rangadar sluag niath nertmar, Iar snim is iar toirrsi truim, Lín a loingsi co Lochluinn. [Verse 2] Ceithri cathracha — clu cert — Gabsad a rém co rónert. Do chuirdis comlann co cas Is d’foglaim a fireolas. [Chorus 2] Fáilias ocus Goirias glan, Findias, Muirias na morgal, Ó maitea madmann amach, Anmanna na n-ardchathrach. Morfis ocus Erus ard, Uscias is Semiath sirgarg, Ré n-garmand — luag a leasa — Anmann suad a s-sarfeasa. [Verse 3] Morfis fili a Fáilias féin, Esrus a Goirias, germen, Semiath a Muirias, dind dias, Uscias fili find Findias. [Chorus 3] Ceithri h-aisceda leo anall, D’uaislib Tuatha Dé Danand: Claideb, cloch, coiri cumal, Sleag rí h-aidid ardcurad. Lia Fáil a Fáilias anall, Géssed fo rígaib Érend. Claideb láma Loga luidh A Goirias — roga rocruid. [Verse 4] A Findias tar fairrgi i fad Tucad sleag nemneach Nuadat. A Muirias, main adbol oll, Coiri in Dagda na n-ardglond. [Final Chorus] Rí Nime, Rí na fér fand, Ro-m-aince, Ríg na rigrand, Fear cá fuil fulang na fuath, Ocus cumang na caemtuath. English Translation [Verse 1] The Tuatha Dé Danann of the treasured paths, Where did they acquire their learning? They attained complete knowledge— Their druidry, their sorcery. [Chorus 1] Iardanel the Fair, truly with excellence, Son of Nemed, son of Agnoman, Whose foolish son was Beothach the eloquent, He was a fierce warrior, fully powerful. The children of Beothach—lively their fame— They went as a mighty, warlike host, After sorrow and after heavy grief, The number of their ships to Lochlann. [Verse 2] Four cities—true renown— They took in their course with great strength. They would wage fierce battle And learn their true knowledge. [Chorus 2] Falias and bright Gorias, Findias, Murias of the sea-valor, From the best of noble ones onward, Names of the high-cities. Morfis and noble Esrus, Uscias and ever-keen Semiath, With their outcry—the worth of their benefits— Names of sages of excellent knowledge. [Verse 3] Morfis the poet from Falias itself, Esrus from Gorias, the germ, Semiath from Murias, firm foundation, Uscias the fair poet of Findias. [Chorus 3] Four treasures with them from beyond, From the nobles of the Tuatha Dé Danann: Sword, stone, cauldron precious, Spear of the king of noble warriors. The Stone of Fal from Falias beyond, It would cry out under the kings of Ireland. The sword of Lugh's hand went From Gorias—choice and blood-red. [Verse 4] From Findias across the sea afar Was brought the poisonous spear of Nuada. From Murias, treasure great and mighty, The cauldron of the Dagda of the high deeds. [Final Chorus] King of Heaven, King of the bright fields, Protect me, King of kings, Man where there is endurance against phantoms, And power over the fair hosts.
