This entry concerns Dagda and Dagda’s Harp. Dagda was one of the first Gods to settle in Ireland. He was part of the Tuatha de Danaan who had to fight the Firbolgs and the Formorians. Their story and others can be found in “The Book of Invasions”edited by R. A. Stewart Macalister.
When the Tuatha de Danann arrived in Ireland, they brought certain magical gifts. These gifts included the coronation stone, Lugh’s spear , the Nuada’s sword, Dagda’s cauldron, which could be used to restore life, and, Dagda’s Harp. This myth concerns Dagda, his harpist, and the Harp.
The Dagda, the chief god at this time, was known as the Good God. His Harp was made of oak and covered in rich decorations including a double-headed fish with jeweled eyes. The Harp, however, was battle scared because Dagda always took it into battle with him. In fact, he took it everywhere with him. He and his harper, Uaithne, were the only ones who could play it.
Unfortunately, after the second Battle of Mag Tuiread, Dagda discovered that his harp and his harper, had been captured by the Formorians. Angered as only Gods can be, he and his son, Aengus Og, set out to reclaim the Harp.
As they neared the Formorian camp, they could hear the sounds of the victory celebration. Bres, the Formorian king, was hosting a great feast. When they peered into the great hall, they saw the Harp hanging on the wall. At this, Dagda’s anger was so great he marched directly into the hall and used this chant to call his Harp to him:
Come Daurdabla, apple-sweet murmurer
Come, Coir-cethair-chuir, four-angled frame of harmony,
Come summer, come winter,
Out of the mouths of harps and bags and pipes!
The chant worked and the Harp streaked across the hall to him, killing all in its path. The festivities ended abruptly. Dagda immediately began to play the Three Noble Strains of Ireland that were inherent in his harp. The first of these, the goltrai (strain of weeping) caused every the Formorians to mourn and lament their defeat. He followed this with the geantrai (the strain of merriment) so the Formorians, who had so recently been mourning fell to laughter like puppets on a string. The Dagda ended his medley with the suantrai (sleep-strain) whereupon the Formorian warriors fell into a deep, deep sleep. At that point it was child’s play for the Dagda, Aengus Og, and Uaithne to take the harp and leave the enemy camp.
Commentary
This myth illustrates, the Celts believed music had/has the power to enchant. Music could be used to control emotion, take the listener to imaginary places or help one to forget. As such, music is an integral part of the Otherworld to the Celts.
Appropriate music anticipates the entry of every hero. Harp music is/was particularly magical. As in the myth of “Dagda’s Harp”, a harp was often played by gods and is the favored accompaniment when reciting old tales. Its range lends itself well to such uses. Not surprisingly then, every bard of old was a skilled harpist. Given this history, it is understandable why the harp is one of the prominent symbols of Ireland.
