Boinne of the Boyne

They warned her,

they warned her,

they warned her,

she was banned. 

But Boand made a brave approach to the forbidden land. 

Boand walked around the well,

around the well,

around the well,

three times.

 

The waters rose,

they splashed her mouth.

The knowledge broke its holding chains.

The knowledge flowed into her veins

and greatly did it swell.

 

The water kept on rising and she was forced to flee. 

Running across the earth, running eastwards to the sea,

Boand flowed through sweet  valleys, over dangerous weirs. 

Boand swept through fields of grass towards high Tara's Hall.

 

On the western side of Tara the well of Laeg, the calf, is found

and on the eastern flank, the white cow's water, rises from the ground.

Their flows go gently south to north and at Dowdstown bridge they join,

carrying the spirit of Tara they enter the waters of the Boyne.

 

Dragged into gorges,

Spread over reeds,

Boand is forced onwards.

The Land welcomes

the rolling river,

The Sea beckons,

come hither.

 

They warned her,

they warned her,

they warned her,

she was banned.

 

Boand, the Cow Goddess, they warned her, she was banned. 

But Boand, the Cow Goddess, shares her life, nourishing Ireland.

Page last updated: 21st Apr 2010