Fate Of The King
Airged L'amh Lyrics
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King of the Eireann Eochai Mac-Erc why are you fading away?
Soon you will be falling dead
Visions you saw you don't understand standing again on the edge
You walk through the path of your future calling
For you death has been cast
Your reign belongs to the past
Mountains of skulls ravens are rising brothers are turning to dust
Sacred island constantly bleeding creation of your arrogance
You walk through the path of your future calling
For you death has been cast
Towards your fate useless you are standing
Your reign belongs to the past
It is the fate of the king
To face always the steel
It is the fate of the king
Found glorious death by his will
Fear of the one standing before
You walks in the shadow of death
Into his eyes hatred and anguish
Standing forever again
You walk through the path of your future calling
For you death has been cast
Towards your fate useless you are standing
Your reign belongs to the past
It is the fate of the king
To face always the steel
It is the fate of the king
Found glorious death by his will
Crom!
The lyrics to "Fate Of The King" by Airged L'amh, explore the impending doom that is about to befall King Eochai Mac-Erc of Fir-Bolg. The song starts with the arrival of Duatha De Dannan, led by their king, Nuada, which is portrayed as a glorious event involving great fires in battleships and clouds of mist. However, the dreams and nightmares of the King foretell his own demise at the hands of the invaders.
As the song progresses, the lyrics describe the downfall of the Fir-Bolg and their King, with lines such as "Mountains of skulls ravens are rising brothers are turning to dust" and "Your reign belongs to the past". The King is shown as futilely facing his fate, with his reign being reduced to a memory of the past.
The final lines of the song describe the fate of the King as glorious death, facing the steel with his will. The chant of "Crom!" toward the end of the song is a reference to the Irish god Crom Cruach, who was associated with human sacrifice.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the inevitable passing of time and its effects on rulers and their kingdoms.
Line by Line Meaning
Great fires in battleships gave the impression that Duatha De Dannan arrived in clouds of mist.
The Duatha De Dannan were fierce and powerful warriors, and their arrival was marked by great fires on their battleships, which made it seem as if they emerged from a cloud of mist.
Tuan the Great Seahawk glorifies the liveness of the invaders and their king Nuada.
Tuan the Great Seahawk praises the strength and vitality of the Duatha De Dannan, as well as their leader King Nuada.
But the nightmares foretell the destruction of Eochai McErk, King of Fir-Bolg.
Despite this praise, ominous dreams and nightmares predict the downfall and destruction of Eochai McErk, the King of Fir-Bolg.
The fate of the king is already sealed and his death sure, in the forthcoming battle.
The king's fate has already been decided, and his death is certain in the upcoming battle.
And era ends and another one, heroic comes.
With the end of Eochai McErk's reign, a new era will emerge that is marked by heroism and courage.
King of the Eireann Eochai Mac-Erc why are you fading away?
The King of the Eireann, Eochai Mac-Erc, is weakened and fading away.
Soon you will be falling dead
His death is imminent.
Visions you saw you don't understand standing again on the edge
He had visions of the future, but did not comprehend their meaning and now finds himself on the brink of death.
You walk through the path of your future calling
He walks the path that destiny has set out for him.
For you death has been cast
His death has been predetermined.
Towards your fate now you are standing
He stands ready to face his predetermined fate.
Your reign belongs to the past
His time as king is over and belongs to the past.
Mountains of skulls ravens are rising brothers are turning to dust
The battlefield is full of death and destruction, with mountains of skulls and ravens circling overhead, while brothers turn to dust.
Sacred island constantly bleeding creation of your arrogance
The battle has caused the once-sacred island to bleed, a result of the king's arrogance and lust for power.
It is the fate of the king To face always the steel
The fate of a king is to always face the threat of violence and death.
Found glorious death by his will
A king can only hope for a glorious death, one that meets their expectations.
Fear of the one standing before You walks in the shadow of death
The king fears the opponent standing before him and walks in the shadow of death.
Into his eyes hatred and anguish Standing forever again
He sees hatred and anguish in his opponent's eyes and prepares to stand forever against them.
Towards your fate useless you are standing
Despite knowing his fate, the king stands useless and unable to change the course of events.
Crom!
An exclamation likely tied to the battle or the king's impending death.
Contributed by Sarah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.