"Amergin" is the word as it has been written in English, but the actual spelling of this name is "Amhairghin". It means "Birth of Song". According to legend, Amhairghin was one of the leaders of the "Men of Míl", who battled the Tuatha Dé Danann (or the Faery Clan) for possession of Ireland. As you can see for yourself, the Song of Amergin is, in itself, a self-claiming by Amergin of this island, as well as a challenge to the Tuatha Dé Danann, who were considered to be the gods.
Amergin's invokes the powers of the Land here upon first stepping ashore in Ireland. These words came from Amergin's "imbas" ('poetic inspiration') and they marked the start of battle over sovereignty of the Land. With the words of this poem, Amergin claims the elements of Ireland. This gesture displays his Otherworldly wisdom and power over the elements. Here, he is actually "becoming"... all of these elements, or "duile" as they were called by the Druids. He joins himself (his "Fein" and internal "duile") with the spirit that controls the elements of the Cosmos. This could be looked upon as merely symbolic, but however you wish to see it, it got results. The wind died down and the Gaels claimed sovereignty on Ireland .
The Song of Amergin
I am a stag of seven tines,
I am a wide flood on a plain,
I am a wind on the deep waters,
I am a shining tear of the sun,
I am a hawk on a cliff,
I am fair among flowers,
I am a god who sets the head afire with smoke.
I am a battle waging spear,
I am a salmon in the pool,
I am a hill of poetry,
I am a ruthless boar,
I am a threatening noise of the sea,
I am a wave of the sea,
Who but I knows the secrets of the unhewn dolmen ?
Alternate #1
I am the wind which breathes upon the sea
I am the wave of the ocean.
I am the murmur of the billows.
I am the ox of the seven combats.
I am the vulture upon the rocks.
I am a beam of the Sun.
I am the fairest of plants.
I am a wild boar in valour.
I am a salmon in the water.
I am a lake in the plain.
I am a word of science.
I am a point of a lance in battle.
I am the God who created in the head the fire.
Who is it who throws light into the meeting in the mountain?
Who announces the ages of the Moon? Who teaches the place where couches the Sun?
If not I? I invoke the land of Ireland!
Alternate #2
I am Wind on Sea,
I am Ocean-wave,
I am Roar of Sea,
I am Bull of Seven Fights,
I am Vulture on Cliff,
I am Dewdrop,
I am Fairest of Flowers,
I am Boar for Boldness,
I am Salmon in Pool,
I am Lake on Plain...
I am Word of Skill,
I am the Point of a Weapon (that poureth forth combats),
I am God who fashioned Fire for a Head.
Who smootheth the ruggedness of a mountain?
Who is He who announceth the ages of the Moon?
And who, the place where falleth the sunset?
Who calleth the cattle from the House of Tethra?
On whom do the cattle of Tethra smile?
Who is the troop, who the god who fashioneth edges...?
Enchantments about a spear? Enchantments of Wind?"
Amergins Challenge
This piece of work has been translated by many and probably misinterpreted by a few, but here is one version that I have found, and hopefully retained from a reliable source.
| Duan Amhairghine Am gáeth tar na bhfarraige Am tuile os chinn maighe Am dord na daíthbhe Am damh seacht mbeann Am drúchtín rotuí ó ngréin Am an fráich torc Am seabhac a néad i n-aill Am ard filidheachta Am álaine bhláithibh Am an t-eo fis Cía an crann agus an theine ag tuitim faire Cía an dhíamhairina cloch neamh shnaidhite Am an ríáin gach uile choirceoige Am an theine far gach uile chnoic Am an scíath far gach uile chinn Am an sleagh catha Am nómá tonnag sírthintaghaív Am úagh gach uile dhóich dhíamaíní Cía fios aige conara na gréine agus linn na éisce Cía tionól na rinn aige, ceangladh na farraige, cor i n-eagar na harda, na haibhne, na túatha. | Amergin's Challenge I am a wind across the sea I am a flood across the plain I am the roar of the tides I am a stag* of seven (pair) tines I am a dewdrop let fall by the sun I am the fierceness of boars* I am a hawk, my nest on a cliff I am a height of poetry (magical skill) I am the most beautiful among flowers I am the salmon* of wisdom Who (but I) is both the tree and the lightning strikes it Who is the dark secret of the dolmen not yet hewn I am the queen of every hive I am the fire on every hill I am the shield over every head I am the spear of battle I am the ninth* wave of eternal return I am the grave of every vain hope Who knows the path of the sun, the periods of the moon Who gathers the divisions, enthralls the sea, sets in order the mountains. the rivers, the peoples |
The Invocation in Gaelic: Toghairm na hÉireann
| Amergin's Invocation of Ireland I request the land of Ireland (to come forth) coursed is the wild sea wild the crying mountains crying the generous woods generous in showers (rain/waterfalls) showers lakes and vast pools vast pools hosts of well-springs well-springs of tribes in assembly assembly of kings of Tara Tara host of tribes tribes of the sons of Mil Mil of boats and ships ships come to Ireland Ireland high terribly blue an incantation on the (same) wind (which was the) wind empty of Bres Bres of an empty cup Ireland be mighty Ermon at the beginning Ir, Eber, requested (now it is) I (who) request the land of Ireland! |
