Pronunciation: Eithne (ENNA), Kian (KEEN), Dechtire (JEH-chiray),
Lugh (LOO), Manannan (MON-uh-non), Lughnasadh (LOO-nah-sah)
 
 
CHORUS:
At your festival sound the horn, calling the people again
Child of Barleycorn, newly summer-born
Ripening like the grain, oh, ripening like the grain
 
 
VERSES:
Lugh the light of summer bright clothed all in gold
Eithne you his mother true let his tale be told
It was known that Balor's own grandchild would do him in
He vainly sought but all for naught, imprisoning his kin
Kian the brave and clever knave, disguised himself so well
It wasn't hard to fool the guards, and enter Eithne's cell
The two did swoon from morn till noon, she bore him babies three
Then Balor's rage flew in her cage and cast them in the sea
The first two babes went to their graves, beneath the stormy sea
But Manannan he took Lugh on, his foster son to be
Lugh grew tall from spring to fall and sought to take a wife
But Balor came and made his claim and vowed to take his life
The two did fight from morn 'till night and Lugh did strike him one
And Balor's eye flew in the sky and there became the sun
Dechtire flew away with Lugh upon her wedding morn
Together they lay for many a day and soon a child was born
The child grew tall from spring to fall, Setanta was his name
And then at length by honor's strength CuChulainn he became

 
By Gwydion Pendderwen