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