The harp is a special instrument in celtic tradition, that was given by the Gods. It was althought probably more a lyre (1, 2) than a harp but in the translations, we usually talk about harp.
In the ancient times, a real bard was supposed to be able to play the three magic melodies : suantrai, the melody of the sleep, geantrai, the melody of laugh, and goltrai, the melody of the tears.
These three melodies are mentionned in the two following tales.
The birth of Boand sons : It is said that when Boand (the Goddess who has given the name to the river Boyne) was given birth to her three sons. The harp began to cry and complain with her when she had the pregnant pains for the first baby. Then, after the birth of her second son, the harp played the melody of the rejoicing. And, after the third birth, the harp played a melody to calm down, so the mother and the babies slept deeply.
The Dagda’s Harp : When the Tuatha de Danann won the second battle of Moytirran, the Dagda and Ogma followed the Fomorians because they stole the magic harp of the Dagda called « Uaithne ». They arrived in the banqueting hall where their enemies where refugies. They saw the harp hanging on the wall. No music could be played on this harp because it was needed to know the magic formula for this. So the Dagda told it : Come, Daur Dà Blào (Oak from the two meadows) Come, Coir Cethairchuir (air to the four corners) Come summer, come winter, mouth of harps and bagpipes !
Hearing the formula, the harp jumped from the wall, killing nine fomorian on the way and, like a bird, flew to the Dagda’s arms. Right away, the Dagda began to play for the Fomorians. He played first, the melody for the sadness and they were all weaping so bitterly that the Fomorians were unable to catch the Gods, then he played the music for the joy and they were all laughing and he finished by the last one, the melody for sleep and all the warriors felt in a deep sleep. When they woke-up, the three Gods and the harp were gone from a long time…
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