Cruachan Blood For The Blood God 1. Crom Cruach [Instrumental] 2. Blood For The Blood God Prepare the first born child, cleanse the infant's skin Wrap the child in linen let the sacrifice begin To the plain of adoration to our idol covered in gold The mighty God Crom Cruach, his power we behold. Surrounded by a circle, of standing stones so tall Crom Cruach reaches to the sky, we hear his ancient call Oh old and powerful deity, we are yours to command Guide us in our struggles, and bless this ancient land. We offer you our first born This innocent life so pure Sacrifice in your name So we may long endure. We offer you our first born A blood offering will ensue Protect us Oh Crom Cruach We offer this life to you. Bring the blade to the infants neck, slowly cut the skin Tear open the veins of life – blood flowing from within The child begins to flail, and tries in vein to cry Then calms and becomes silent, soon the child will die. At the feet of Crom Cruach, we leave the infant corpse A vital sacrifice for our land, we offer no remorse We pour the blood on our idol, we smear it on our skin We hear the sound of chanting, from our sacred holy men. We leave the sacred site, as the blood begins to dry Returning to our village, under a blood red sky A prosperous time awaits us, Crom Cruach is appeased No more fear of famine, nor worry of disease. 3. The Arrival Of The Fir Bolg From across the sea they came Fleeing from slavery To the blessed shores of Ireland Their people to be free! They sailed for many days In seas that raged and swelled Many ships traversed the depths Full of men who were compelled To find a home for their people In the land of their forefathers The ancient tribes of Nemed Those ancient Irish masters. Five brothers led the way Sailing on the Western squall Many dangers they encountered And many warriors did fall. Till at last they did arrive In the glorious seas of Ireland As they headed for the shore One more trial was at hand. The wind became a storm The seas became enraged The Fir Bolg ships were scattered And many too were razed. Separated into three parts The Fir Bolg, Domnann and Gaileon Finally docked in Ireland As the seas began to calm. They overcame so many trials As they sailed to their new land A new dawn awaits the brothers A new era is at hand. At Tara the brothers held council They divided the land into five parts Peace had come to the Fir Bolg But this peace was not to last. 4. Beren And Luthien In his fight against the enemy Beren fought hard and strong Against the dark lord Morgoth And the hellish Morgul throng! He was forced to flee the battle When his army was destroyed The Elven realm of Doriath That is where he did arrive. There lie saw a female elf, in the woods of Neldoreth, such beauty he had never seen. He called to her "Tinuviel", when they met they fell in love, her father would not be so keen. "To win my daughter Luthien, bring to me a silmaril", this was Thingol's quest to Beren. "I accept this perilous task, I shall journey to Angband, I swear you will see me again" He journeyed to Nargothrond, a vast Elven stronghold Ten warriors joined him on the road to Angband Neath the shadowy mountains and disguised as orcs They were observed by Sauron as they crossed his land. Sauron's forces attacked, they tried hard to resist They failed in their struggle and were captured by him On the isle of werewolves many died by these beasts Beren survived but his chances seemed grim. He did not know that Luthien, had secretly been following, And she came with Celegorm's hound The hound killed ail the wolves in sight, Beren ran into the night And would try his task once more Luthien was by his side, and toy came to Morgoth's throne A magic spell then made him sleep Beren seized a silmaril Morgoth wakened from his spell A giant werewolf then appeared It bit and swallowed Beren's hand, the silmari! burned Its Inside It ran off in agony. The two lovers both escaped, and returned to Doriath The tale had softened Thingol's heart. He allowed their union, though Beren's task was not fulfilled Beren left to find the wolf. And find the wolf is what he did, but the wolf had gone insane Beren died but did prevail. The silmaril had been retrieved, but at great a consequence Luthien and Beren died. But Lord Mandos did feel grief, restoring mortal life to them They would live as one again. 5. The Marching Song Of Fiach Mac Hugh Lift MacCahir Og your face brooding o'er the old disgrace That black Fitzwilliam stormed your place, drove you to the Fern Grey said victory was sure soon the firebrand he'd secure; Until he met at Glenmaiure with Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byrne. Curse and swear Lord Kildare Fiach will do what Fiach will dare Now Fitzwilliam, have a care Fallen is your star, low Up with halberd out with sword On we'll go for by the Lord Fiach MacHugh has given the word, Follow me up to Carlow. See the swords of Glen Imayle, flashing o'er the English Pale See all the children of the Gael, beneath O'Byrne's banners Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock Crow out upon an Irish rock, fly up and teach him manners From Saggart to Clonmore, there flows a stream of Saxon gore O great is Rory Og O'More, sending the loons to Hades White is sick and Lane is fled, now for black Fitzwilliam's head We'll send it over dripping red, to Queen Liza and the ladies. 6. Prophecy A question to you false, deceived fools, who venerate nothing but a falsehood, Why do you perpetuate this lie?, your blind faith will never be understood. A hateful concept from its inception, born in a sea of blood and terror, Yet based on many of my traditions, perverted, corrupted and broken. Listen to my word and understand my way, I will sanctify, I will have my day! – I am risen! I am as ancient as the earth itself yet veiled in secrecy, When I rise – mankind will kneel and worship me. Listen to my word and understand my way, I will sanctify, I will have my day! – I am risen! 7. Gae Bolga [Instrumental] 8. The Sea Queen Of Connaught I tell a tale of a pirate queen, Grace O'Malley was her name. Through her deeds and actions on the seas, She found fortune, respect and fame. Born to a seafaring family and educated well, Salt water in her veins, at sea she would raise hell! She preyed on trading ships, that entered her domain, And before the Nine Years war, became a British bane! When she was but a child, she cut off all her hair, In defiance of her father who brought her to despair! "You cannot sail my ships with hair that is so long." "But, father, can't you see? All my hair is gone." She prospered as a Pirate-Queen, Patrolling our Atlantic coast. She recruited fighting men— From Scotland and Ireland, a true pirate host. Targeting traders, and merchant men, She boarded their ships and demanded her toll, Those who resisted or tried to fight back, Tasted her steel or were held in her thrall. When tribute was paid they were free to go, Their safe passage was guaranteed. The pirate horde would flee to the shore, Disappearing in coves, her fleet would recede. Attacks were not limited to the sea, Grace would strike castles on the shore. O'Loughlin, O'Boyle and MacSweeney clans, Fell victim to Grace and her pirate war. Her career began and prospered at the peak of Gaelic rule, A loving mother and wife yet a Pirate Queen so cruel! Called to meet with England's Queen, she conducted herself well, They spoke in Latin, reached an accord then they bade farewell. On her return, Grace did learn, that the meeting was in vain Her demands were never met, mush to her disdain! Gaelic rule was in decline but Grace remained defiant, She assisted in rebellions; she would never be compliant— And always fought off raids that came close to her lands, She fought a band from Galway, killing their leader with her hands. She died a natural death in the same year as England's Queen, Saxon rule increased, of this Grace had foreseen. The Nine Years war was won, English rule was complete, But Grace—she will live on, she never knew defeat! 9. Born For War (The Rise Of Brian Boru) 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! 10. Perversion, Corruption And Sanctity - Part 1 An evil in our midst that pervades our modern lives An arbitrary congregation of the lowest form of man Governed by a doctrine almost two thousand years old Allowed to fester in our world for far too long! So many times we hear the stories of their sick and vile crimes The rape of innocent children, the destruction of their minds Several decades of abuse have been carried out by some The pleasant parish priest? the abhorrent raping scum! And from the Vatican – silence! they turn a blind eye No condemnation of crimes, accusations they deny! It's time to make a change, time to call them to account This corruption can't continue, we have to flush them out. Our children they are sacred, more so than this church That needs to disappear, to die out and withdraw But not before we try them and make them recompense Do unto others as they would unto you, And to the leaders of our nations that allow this cancer spread Who carried out no trials or looked away as the priests fled You are just as guilty of this sodomy of innocents Shame on you to let it happen, you should be put to death. Deliver us from evil so that we may find respite Grant us peace and let our children see a world that is forthright Let them be free forever from these sick and aging men And guarantee this ancient cult will never rise again! 11. Perversion, Corruption And Sanctity - Part 2 [Instrumental] John Ryan — Violin, Cello, Bowed bass John Fay — Tin whistle, Low whistle, Percussion Mauro Frison — Drums, Percussion Eric Fletcher — Bass Kieran Ball — Guitars Keith Fay — Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Piano, Bodhran, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Percussion