The 13th Warrior ~ A Viking Prayer!

The 13th Warrior ~ A Viking Prayer!

Ahmad ibn Fadlan an emissary of the Caliphate of Baghdad (921AD) dispatched to the Bulgars witnessed a Viking funeral where a girl was to be sacrificed with her Viking chief who had died and as she stared into certain death recited a poem that was recorded by Ahmad,

This poem was adapted for the film 'The 13th Warrior' in 1999, a film that was based on the Michael Crichton novel, 'Eaters of the Dead' (1976). The film was not a box office success at the time. The prayer went viral.

Lots of information and other details on the Web and definitely worth a read. Funny thing is I came across it in an old Irish book of poems. (Mind playing tricks) The video was loaded by Sulo King and with thanks.

 

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2026!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2026!

The next meeting of our group takes place on this Thursday night coming the 6th of August at 6.15pm in Trim Library and all are welcome to attend. We'd love to see you there and whether your interest is in poetry or short stories or music in songs or you're thinking of writing the great novel or whatever your interest is then why not drop in for a couple of hours. Admission is free and we're hoping to have something out for Christmas. Hope to see you there.   

Pete Seeger ~ The Boys From The County Mayo!

 Pete Seeger ~ The Boys From The County Mayo.

Something to celebrate Mayo winning this year's All Ireland Football Final and after 75 years. I wonder where Pete heard this one first and won't venture a guess but mixing it with the Dylans and the Clancy Brothers and in a hundred Irish Bars and clubs I'm sure that it was sung many times. No need to introduce Pete, an American folk singer and social activist. Perhaps one of my favourite poems of the First World War was written by his uncle. Go look up! Video was loaded by: Pete Seeger - Topic. And with thanks,

Glen Hansard ~ R.I.P.

Glen Hansard ~ R.I.P.

There are many fine tributes posted but I settled on the one above and what I remember most from him was his work for the homeless and others who were caught on the wrong side of this society. That he was an Oscar winner and a man of international standing while remaining the man on the street says something of his character and like so many other of our great artists who have passed away in the last few years - he made some difference. The above video was loaded by 'bannedfromchina' and with thanks. Falling Slowly.

Glen Hansard: 21st April 1970 - 29th July 2029 

 

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/July 2026!

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/July 2026! 

On Mon, 27 Jul 2026, 20:15 Geraldine and Jim, <kiltale2@gmail.com> wrote:

Folks 

Good evening,

Our final session of poetry before we take our Summer break is on tomorrow evening at 7.30pm 

I am having a senior moment and I have forgotten our selected theme for tomorrow evening 

Can someone who remembers press Reply All  and let us all know

Meanwhile let us sing 

Oh the Green and Red of Mayo

I can see it still

Its soft and craggy boglands

Its tall majestic hills

Where the ocean kisses Ireland

And the waves carress its shore

Oh the feelin' it came over me

To stay forever more

Forever more.............!!!

See you tomorrow le cunamh Dé

The theme for tomorrow night is 'Love Poetry' (From, Vincent Mulvany)  

Jim

Tel: 087 967 6728

* What about: The Boys From The County Mayo!

                                                                             FM 

Tucson, Arizona ~ Dan Fogelberg!

Tucson, Arizona ~ Dan Fogelberg.

Dark social commentary and one of the finest American ballads ever written. Has stand alone lyrics and  he considered it to be one of his finest compositions. Would not be qualified to comment on the music and the critics were not too favourable but something wrong there.  Not in the American Music Hall of Fame, though he is in a number of others. Considering the songs he has written - mad or what! From the album 'Windows and Walls' 1984. The video was loaded by 'Jokarilon' and with thanks.

*Dan Fogelberg : August 13th 1951 - December 16th 2007

Gettysburg ~ Buster Kilrain's speech!

 Gettysburg ~ Buster Kilrain's speech!

Given the year that's in it,  here's an interesting piece from the film Gettysburg (1993) where Kilrain in conversation with Colonel Joshua Chamberlain challenges the notion that all men are created equal. But rather that it is in what they do, and that the only true aristocratic ideal is that of the mind. Couldn't agree with him more. Doesn't matter what colour or creed or class that you think you are.

Steve Earle's song (Dixieland) and his intro is really worth a listen and is probably one of the best war songs written. Inspiration for both of them, to whatever degree, would be Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize winning novel 'The Killer Angels'. 

The above video was loaded by oWallis and with thanks. To Youtube for all the comments.