Dullahan Rides

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teq2m0BN-Wo

I can hear MY ballad sung to this same tune..can you?
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

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 5/4/2012 9:43:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in the "Stranded/Ghosts" contest Debbie. Love, Carol
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Date: 5/3/2012 12:57:00 PM
A cut and paste apology for a cogratulations message but congrats. Am on holiday with limited access xx
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Date: 5/2/2012 4:45:00 PM
Debbie...just reading from the master! Great mood story to write of...the rhyming was so carefully weaved with excellence...thank goodness for the change in worship of these peoples...finally they caught on! :0 gWENDOLEN
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Date: 9/26/2011 11:29:00 AM
Fantastic write Debbie, the tale is chilling and your words throughout lend to the fantastic story. One for my favs! :)
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Date: 9/24/2011 9:37:00 PM
Deb, you have given a great example that would fit your own contest, I believe. So in this legend , is the horse also headless then? good ballad writing!
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