A Song for Lugh

Once was born a child so bright
They clothed him all in green
this child true, by winter through

Was fairest ever seen

Lugh grew tall from spring to fall
Then sought to find a wife
But Balor came and made his claim
And swore to take Lugh's life

The two did fight from morn till night
When Lugh did strike him one
Balor's eye then lost its fire
And the battle it was won

Lugh was wed and made his bed
With Erinn in the north
The land was green and the wheat was gold

The harvest soon came forth

At your festival sounds the horn,
Calling the people again
Child of barleycorn, newly summer-born
Ripening like the grain

Lugh, the Bright God, was a favorite subject of stories; he became the symbol of male perfection, as well as the god of light, grain, and harvest. This song is based on an old tune sung August 1, Lughasadh, the holiday of the first harvest.