Charolais The March

The Brown Bull of Cooley, the semi-mythical beast of the Tain certainly

wasn't the gentle Charolais, but the tongue-in-cheek lyrics are in keeping

with the Tain's eccentric narrative style. We've used a traditional melody

Rosc Catha na Mumhan which means the Battle Hymn of Munster. This also

forms the basis for the March.

Her words were sharp; they cut him deep,

In a war between the sheets.

But when he brought his bull to her

It meant a woman making war

Beyond the eiderdown.

The druids read the smoke and sand;

Told her that she would love again.

The rhythms from the wolfskin drums

Called men to war in hide and bronze.

This goddess wore a crown.

Charolais, charolais -

we are come for you today.

The champions and the Seven Sons are

come to take away the Donn

But the Fairy Child knew more;

Saw the host stained red in war,

Saw the hero-light around the head

Of a dragon-boy just ripe for bed

Of wives and manly sons