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
