The Voyage Of Bran - Cruachan

Bran walked alone to ease his mind

To reflect on life and love

Sweet music he heard come from behind

And from the sky above

So sweet was the tune that he fell asleep

Then awoke with a terrible fright

In the distance he heard a women weep

Drew his sword and held it tight

He saw on the ground a silver branch

Adorned with small whit flowers

He took the wand and returned to his home

He was absent for many hours

His royal friends were gathered there

When a woman appeared in their midst

She calmed the host and sung to Bran

Of a land of beauty and myth

«I brought you the branch of Emain

As a token of my desire

Journey forth to the land of women

Of solitude they do tire.»

«No slandering will you find there

Nor treachery will you see

I ask you now to plan and prepare

For your voyage across the sea.»

The fallowing day Bran sailed to the West

With a host of men by his side

Two days and night upon the sea

Only the stars to act as their guide

From out of the west a chariot came

Bearing Manannan — son of Lir

Bran learned that he will find glory and fame

And the land he is seeking is near

After some time they discovered the land

A host of women stood on the shore

Bran covered his face and raised a hand

He was reluctant to go ashore

The chief of women cast a single thread

That pierced the hand of Bran

Despite this act Bran felt no dread

As his boat was pulled to shore

His men paired off with the women there

And Bran stayed with their chief

The passage of time was hidden from them

They believed their time was brief

For what seemed like only just one year

Was really centuries more

They passed their time with joy and cheer

As their journey became folklore

A longing then came to all the men

And they planned to return to their land

The women were loath to let them go

And issued the following command —

«Walk ye not on the land of Eirann

To do so will bring your demise

Go forth and quell your longing

Then return to our western skies.»

The men arrived at Eirann’s shore

And were greeted by a great host

They heard of Bran from ancient lore

And thought he no more than a ghost

A soldier of bran then leapt ashore

But instantly turned to dust

Bran decided to leave once more

To return to the women of lust!