Thunder Rising
Thunder Rising: Cúchulain's Epic Tale of Triumph and Tragedy
Lyrics
They looked out from the fortress on the hill.
Observation from a fortress on a hill.
There came a single warrior returning from the kill.
A lone warrior returns from a kill.
The spoils of war hung from his horses mane.
War spoils hanging from the horse's mane.
The bloody heads of enemies that he had freshly slayed.
Display of freshly slain enemies' heads.
They saw the face, the eyes so sullen,
Noticed the weary face and sullen eyes.
could only be the young Cúchulain.
Identification of the warrior as Cúchulain.
Thunder rising, thunder rising,
Reference to an impending powerful force.
thunder rising early in the morning.
Repetition of the anticipation of thunder rising early.
Cities burning,
Mention of cities burning.
the world keeps turning.
Statement on the continuous world turning.
Thunder rising early in the morning.
Reiteration of thunder rising early.
The son of Lugh MacEithleen knew no fear.
Description of Cúchulain, son of Lugh MacEithleen, as fearless.
For just one blow at any foe to tell his end was near.
Emphasis on Cúchulain's ability to predict an opponent's defeat with one blow.
So many tried to mock this Celtic son.
Many attempted to mock the Celtic son.
They taunted and they teased him till
Subjected to taunting and teasing until retaliation.
he slayed them one by one.
Chronicle of Cúchulain slaying his mockers one by one.
And so they came, and so they've fallen
Reflection on the fallen adversaries at Cúchulain's hands.
at the hands of young Cúchulain.
Acknowledgment of Cúchulain as the agent of their demise.
Thunder rising, thunder rising,
Reiteration of the anticipation of thunder rising early.
thunder rising early in the morning.
Repetition of the impending powerful force.
Cities burning,
Reiteration of cities burning.
the world keeps turning.
Statement on the continuous world turning.
Thunder rising early in the morning.
Reiteration of thunder rising early.
Long ago the legend has it,
Introduction of a legendary conflict involving Ulster men and the King of Connacht.
how the mighty Ulster men
Reflection on the might of Ulster men.
battled with the King Of Connacht,
Depiction of the battle against the King of Connacht until the end.
fighting to the bitter end.
Detailing the fight's bitter conclusion.
No one knew what foolish reason
Uncertainty about the cause of the conflict.
caused this skirmish to begin.
Questioning the foolish reason behind the skirmish.
Was it treachery or treason,
Possibility of treachery, treason, or idle threats as causes.
or just the idle threats of drunken men?
Suggestion of the influence of alcohol in the threats.
Thunder rising, thunder rising,
Reiteration of the anticipation of thunder rising early.
thunder rising early in the morning.
Repetition of the impending powerful force.
Cities burning,
Reiteration of cities burning.
the world keeps turning.
Statement on the continuous world turning.
Thunder rising early in the morning.
Reiteration of thunder rising early.
Thunder rising, thunder rising,
Repetition of the anticipation of thunder rising early.
thunder rising early in the morning.
Reiteration of the impending powerful force.
Young men are dying,
Recognition of the sacrifice of young men and the sorrow of widows.
the widows are crying.
Portrayal of the emotional aftermath with widows crying.
Thunder rising early in the morning.
Reiteration of thunder rising early with a somber note.
Comment