Page 61
Mostly a translation by Kuno Meyer (1859-1919), from the 12th Century Irish, put to music ( tune based loosely on the Garden of the Daisies )
Hosts of Faery
by Nate Berry
White shields they carry in their hands,
With emblems of pale silver;
With glittering blue swords,
and mighty stout horns.
In well-devised array,
Ahead of their fair chieftain
They march amid blue spears
( Chorus
They scatter the battalions of the foe,
They ravage lands they attack,
Splendidly they march to com- bat,
Good they are at man-slay,
Melodious in the ale-house,
Masterly at making songs )
No wonder though their strength be great:
Sons of queens and kings are one and all;
On their heads are
golden-yellow manes.
With smooth and comely bodies,
With bright blue-star-red eyes,
With pure and crystal teeth,
With thin red lips.
Chorus X2
Skilled at fidchel last line before repeat
With emblems of pale silver;
With glittering blue swords,
and mighty stout horns.
In well-devised array,
Ahead of their fair chieftain
They march amid blue spears
( Chorus
They scatter the battalions of the foe,
They ravage lands they attack,
Splendidly they march to com- bat,
Good they are at man-slay,
Melodious in the ale-house,
Masterly at making songs )
No wonder though their strength be great:
Sons of queens and kings are one and all;
On their heads are
golden-yellow manes.
With smooth and comely bodies,
With bright blue-star-red eyes,
With pure and crystal teeth,
With thin red lips.
Chorus X2
Skilled at fidchel last line before repeat