Baile's Strand

The Red Branch knights are gathered

For Ulster's honour at Baile's strand

Hither from across the waves

A young boy with a merry face

But armed as if for fighting

Came onto the shore

"Thou shall not land on Erin's soil",

Cuinaire cried out,

"Until thou hast revealed thy name!"

For all you ask I can reveal but I must conceal

My name and lineage

Nor from my course you can make me stray away

For I am under bounds and cannot disobey

In battle I will not give way

Nor ever will I speak my name

If challenged I will draw my blade

Here on this strand I will meet my fate

I'll only answer with my blade

No man can stray me from my way

"Then you shall die", Cuinaire replied,

"For no one unknown may enter our realm"

For Ulster's honour many warriors were sent

But to none did he give his unhallowed name

To wound them or kill, the spell to fulfil

The geasa forced upon his infinite will

Any attempt to impede him was doomed and destined to fail

I'll only answer with my blade

No man can stray me from my way

In battle I will not give way

Nor ever will I speak my name

Finally Cuchulainn himself was summoned,

The King had ordered him to defeat this foe

And towards tragedy he strode

A fierce battle ensued,

More than a match for Cuchulainn,

The young boy proved

Dealing blow after blow,

The lad forced Chuchulainn back

With a strength and speed

The hound of Culan had never met

As the battle continued in the water

Two times Cuchulainn almost drowned,

Yet on the third, he remembered the Gae Bolg

And with the strength of the hero's light

He threw it through the waves with all his might

The Gae Bolg, is it true?

Only one may wield it, is it really you?

To a tragic end the story seems to have come