Song for Th' Gatherin'

by Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack in honor of Th' Gatherin'
Ancient Festival o' the Beltaine, April 30-May 1, 2010

WaKeeney, western Kansas,
Hosts the gatherin' of the clan.
Sir George comes from Scotland,
Takeshi from Japan.



There's warrior games afoot,
Tug of war and caber toss,
But the maddest is the running
Of the fiery cross.





WaKeeney, western Kansas,
Hosts the gatherin' of the clan.
You won't find a schedule,
We hardly have a plan.



Underneath the big tent
There's musical delight.
Switchback and The Indulgers
Play when the time is right.



Erin's rusty fiddle
(She hadn't played in years)
Warms to grandpa's favorite,
Her eyes fill with tears.



Brian calls up Damien,
His voice is true and strong.
This Colorado Irishman
Sings his life in a song.

This Beltaine Feast on an ocean of land,
This Beltaine Feast, go to understand,
This Beltaine Feast remembers what was,
Th' Gatherin' is as Th' Gatherin' does.



At the head of the line the warriors
Are hungry for the feast.
They pound upon the table
And pounce upon the beast.



No cutlery or plates,
Pile it high upon the bread!
When Liz starts a food fight,
She always starts with Red.
(Duck your head!)



Brace yourself steady,
Extend the Wallace Sword!
Ah! You're going to have to feel the pain
To rise about the hoard.

Seamus passes down the torch,
Martin lights the blaze.
Let's move beyond the darkness,
Now here's to brighter days!

This Beltaine Feast on an ocean of land,
This Beltaine Feast, go to understand,
This Beltaine Feast remembers what was,
Th' Gatherin' is as Th' Gatherin' does.

WaKeeney, western Kansas,
Hosts the gatherin' of the clan.
One night I saw a vision
And then she up and ran.



So feast your eyes and ears,
Let the belly dancers chime.
We're not about the reason,
We're all about the rhyme.

This Beltaine Feast on an ocean of land,
This Beltaine Feast, go to understand,
This Beltaine Feast remembers what was,
Th' Gatherin' is as Th' Gatherin' does.