Cruachan

Born For War (The Rise Of Brian Boru)

Cruachan


From Limerick the Vikings came
To the village of the Dal gCais
To rape to pillage and to maim
With Viking sword and Viking axe

So many lives were lost during this Viking raid
Brian's father fought heroically
But fell to a Viking blade
A seed of hatred was planted
The promise of vengeance was strong
To the Northern invaders of Ireland
Leave now! you do not belong

Brian's brothers were not convinced
They sued for peace at any cost
And formed a pact with Ivar of Limerick
This pact was flawed and would not last

In the year of our lord, nine hundred and Sixty Eight
Brian led a raiding party to King Ivar's fortress gate
Then fled towards a forest, Limerick Vikings took the bait
They left the safety of Limerick
They could not foresee their fate

Three hundred Dal gCais warriors
Faced six hundred Viking men
On the hillside known as Sulcoit
Viking blood would flow again

Brian's men were ready to unleash a surprise attack
The Vikings were caught off guard
They desperately tried to fall bad
The tangled forest confused them
Their wall of shields did fail
A single Viking warrior was no match for a single Gael!

The fighting started late
And lasted through the night
The Dal gCais were victorious
They killed Vikings with such spite!

Brian then went and sacked Limerick
Though little fighting would ensue
The Dal gCais warriors were relentless
Behold the rise of Brian Boru!