Discover the Music of Dàn Cycle Novels

In the Dàn Cycle Novels, Druids play an essential role as characters. A Bard, also known as a Filídh, is a history keeper, storyteller, and master musician of the Aos Dána. My two honorary Gaelic Bards are Claire Odlum and Emy Smith!

Lyrics for the two songs created so far are below, with song notes and links to YouTube where you can listen to them.

A Bard's Plea: from Lann Dàn - Blades of Destiny

A Bard’s Plea
In times gone by our clans did battle
To the sounds of fear and the drummers rattle
When Mystical Maeve, she fought Cú Chulainn
And Rory the Red, he reigned our land

Heroes they were and legends they made
But kings forget and legends fade
Our kingdoms bicker, our bright lights dim
Our people’s fate is a fickle whim

Erin’s hero is needed once more
To rally her people
As in times before
To lead to victory
And see our land restored
To be the voice of those ignored

They ride horses through winds and hail
Crossed wide rivers where fairies wail
Some had pikes, swords, and spears
While others used their wits and jeers

Seeds were sown and stories told
Of spirits in forests and legends of old
Young blood runs deep and old hearts beat
Which one will win and take their seat

Erin’s hero isneeded once more
To rally her people
As in times before
To lead to victory
And see our land restored
To be the voice of those ignored

Erin’s hero isneeded once more
For our Heart to choose as before
A hero born brave, unswayed by the waves
Fierce and bold, forever to hold

Author Song Notes for Blades of Destiny Music
In "A Bard's Plea", Claire leads with the vocals. Emy Smith finished the composition as we evolved the lyrics and I learned how to ensure words rhyme from line to line (I tell stories, not write songs). Then we adjusted the pace of the melody to make it easier to sing. Claire's first comment was, "I'm trying to figure out how to breathe while singing!" Emy slowed things down and here we have it! A great result, thanks to my two new honorary Gaelic Bards, Claire Odlum and Emy Smith!

Dagda, Tuatha God known as All-Father and Erin's Chief Bard, would be proud of you both!

3-D front cover for Blades of Destiny by James Raquepau


Erin's Hero Rising: from Lia Dàn - Stone of Destiny

3-D front cover for Stone of Destiny by James Raquepau


In the kingdoms of Emerald Erin
Where the Heart of Destiny beats
To choose Erin’s next hero in times of needs

Ćroí Dàn, can you hear the calling?
The whispers of many lost souls
When kingdoms are close to falling
You’ll find the right hero for us

Ćroí Dàn defends us
Ćroí Dàn protects us
In your chosen hero we trust
Ćroí Dàn defends us
Ćroí Dàn protects us
Make fire rise from the dust

They came to conquer our Land
Some fought and some held hostage
Yet one would end all the fear
Our next Erin’s Hero with courage

One born of blood from both sides
As our gods before have foreseen
They gave her the magic to stand
And build a new destiny

Ćroí Dàn defends us
Ćroí Dàn protects us
In your chosen hero we trust
Ćroí Dàn defends us
Ćroí Dàn protects us
Make fire rise from the dust

Ćroí Dàn has called a Hero
To battle and bleed
For our land and our pride
In dark times she’ll lead

Ćroí Dàn has called a Hero
To battle and bleed
For our land and our pride
May the land of Erin live free

Ćroí Dàn defends us
Ćroí Dàn protects us
In your chosen hero we trust
Ćroí Dàn defends us
Ćroí Dàn protects us
Make fire rise from the dust

Author Song Notes for Stone of Destiny Music
In "Erin's Hero Rising", Emy leads with the vocals. This composition is more epic since the song is performed for the first time at a Gaelic Céilí in Stone of Destiny, with more musicians on the stage this time. It is an outstanding effort thanks to my two honorary Gaelic Bards Claire Odlum and Emy Smith!

Listen on YouTube



True Hearts Beat from Ćroí Dàn - Heart of Destiny

Heart of Destiny by James Raquepau - Cover in 3D

We rise as one
We stand as one
We call out as one
We fight as one

Our Goddess defends all with true hearts
With the sound of silence, we’reno longer afraid
To fight with Erin’s Hero and protect all who she aides

We pledge our blood and bones across the ages
We pledge our blood andbones as chaos rages

With the Heart of Destiny, such miracles to divine
No more myths, no mysteries, no more hiding from our fears
Remember all of you, our words, and all our truths
We shall return with our Hero with true hearts

We rise as one
We stand as one
We call out as one
We fight as one

With true hearts, we fight as Warriors of Destiny
To protect all our people and the future they seek
We don’t walk this earth alone and speak out as one
Seize the void, trusting our Goddess, we live on through time

We rise as one
We stand as one
We call out as ne
We fight as one

Author Song Notes from Heart of Destiny
In "True Hearts Beat", Claire leads with the vocals and is supported by Emy with backup vocals. We have a new composer for musical composition for this song, with Pablo Toledo Vintiñi (aka DOC) joining the team! Another great result as they pulled in the Goddess of Time theme in from my third novel, Heart of Destiny. Thanks again to my honorary Gaelic Bards, Claire Odlum, Emy Smith, and now DOC!

Dagda, Tuatha God known as All-Father and Erin's Chief Bard, would be proud of you all! My Bard of Destiny!

Listen on YouTube

Loach Dàn - Warriors of Destiny

This song is being developed - stay tuned!