Caolite Lyrics

On a dark and stormy night,
Finn was kidnapped,
By the High King of Teamhair,
Blamed for battles due to the Fianna.
His warrior Caoilte came to his aid.

Caoilte rose up and went searching for him,
First killing Cuireach, a Leinster King.
A madness took him with sorrow and flame
Burning and hacking the fields.

Wherever the blistering red wind blew,
He would destroy all in his sight.
He killed one in every house,
And set their homes alight...

He cloaked himself in darkness,
And entered the ivory palace,
A candle burning in his hands.
He watched the great kings feast.

The King suddenly took notice,
Finn closed his mind to this thought.
Caoilte came to the king and asked him
What he must do to free Finn.

“Collect every wild animal of Ireland”

Caoilte left as soon as it was said,

He ran as fast as the steeds of Macha,
Gathering birds of every type and shape.

After this feat he would tackle the beasts,
Strong and wild as Ireland itself.
To save Finn this would be the task,
All the greatness for Caoilte till the end.

Two ravens from Fiodh Da Bheann,
Two swans from blue Dobhran,
Two owls from Faradhruim,
Two herons from Corrain Cleibh,

Two redbreasts from the Great Wood,
Two foxes from Slieve Cuilinn,
Two oxen from the Burren,
Two wolves from Broit Cliathach,

Two salmons from Eas Mhic Muirne,
Two deers from Gleann na Smoil,
Ten hounds of the Fianna,
One of Manannan's steeds,
Two pigs of the son of Lir,
An old ram from Innis.

Caoilte had a great chaos on his hands,
With all the birds and beast to control.
When he returned to Teamhair,
The King gave him a house with nine doors.
The next day he arrived,
To thank Caoilte for the task,
No sooner had he spoke,
All the birds and beasts escaped,
Like rays of the Sun in every direction!
Finn had gained his freedom,
Caoilte remained by his side,
Till the end of his days.

One of the finest of the Fianna...