Dullahan Rides

Walk with me in the dank moonlight through the chill, rising, storm so we can grasp the majesty of Dullahan still born. Without heads his horse and he ride across the countryside His head in hand they roam the land none live where he abides. A rush of blood, a gory spree will take the sight of man, then off they gallop wild and free Dullahan, head in hand. Here’s hoping he don’t call your name for that would be worse by far your soul would flee and fly with he a soul as black as tar. Carry your gold for I am told this alone does he fear and we can watch as he rides by come give us a kiss now, me dear. The winsome lass took his strong hand and down the lane they walked as in the distance hedgerows fired and hooves clapped as they talked. The sound drew near, a gate flew wide the lassie shrieked and ran so only her randy lad was taken by Dullahan. So, don’t think to woo by moonlight near the shore in Galway Dullahan hunts with cruel sight each wayward soul a stray. *While no-one knows for certain how the Dullahan originated, it is thought that he is the embodiment of the Celtic fertility god, Crom Dubh, who was worshiped by an ancient king of Ireland, Tighermas. Each year, Tighermas sacrificed humans to Crom Dubh, and the usual method was decapitation. The worship of Crom Dubh ended in the sixth century, when Christianity came to Ireland. * music in About the Poem Poet: D. Guzzi