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The Hag of Beara

from Singing on the Wind by Anne Lister

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about

The Hag of Beara (An Chailleach Bheara) is a rock, said to be the petrified remains of the goddess of the land, who is looking out to sea, waiting for her husband, Manannan mac Lir, to return to her. People these days put coins on the rock. I didn't, but still had this song yelled at me by the wind and the sea. Beara, September 1998.

lyrics

Looking out across the ocean, says the Hag of Beara
All I see is constant motion, says the Hag of Beara
People come and people go - what they're seeking I don't know
All I know is the winds still blow across the folds of Beara.

The ships that came here from the west, sings the Hag of Beara
From the islands of the blesse, sings the Hag of Beara
Brought the heroes, brought their tales, brought their music in their wind-filled sails
Brought their battles in the winter gales, to the folds of Beara.

They built their circles of standing stones, sighs the Hag of Beara
They built their careful turf-roofed homes, sighs the Hag of Beara
All you see now are empty shells, which once were places they loved well
The wind blows where they used to dwell, among the folds of Beara.

And you stand there looking out to see, cries the Hag of Beara
You see the land but can you see me, cries the Hag of Beara
You place a coin upon my stone, then leave me here to watch alone
The sea birds and the white tipped foam that laps the shores of Beara.

And do you think you know it all? says the Hag of Beara
Do you imagine your world won't fall? says the Hag of Beara
I am the one who shapes the land, who holds all time within her hand
Your life is just a grain of sand upon the strand of Beara.

credits

from Singing on the Wind, released August 5, 2021
Julia Lane - harp. Steafan Hannigan - uillean pipes and whistles.

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Anne Lister Wales, UK

Anne is best known for her song "Icarus", recorded and performed by a number of different singers, including Martin Simpson and Nic Jones. "Astrolabe" is her ninth solo album.

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