Conall was known for his storytelling And had lived an adventurous life First he shared a most unusual encounter With a were-cat bard As a young man on his father's estate He tended to the cattle A cruel winter storm had trapped
A yearling and her calf Conall was to retrieve them but The treacherous storm forced The hero to seek shelter Where he met this were-cat tribe of ten
The largest among these red-grey felines Had but one eye in the middle of his head And with the voice of a man He addressed the warrior 'We come to sing a dirge for you Conall crog buidhe And sing it we must! '
Conall sat amazed as the beasts sang But when they were done The were-cat bard demanded their fee There was nothing to give but the tiny calf Which they tore its flesh to shreds Another song followed and conall Was forced to give the cow as well To their snapping teeth and claws
A third dirge the creatures did wail But this champion was afraid He had nothing left to pay their price That needed paid 'If you have nothing to give but yourself Then we find you acceptable! '
Chased and pursued, conall ran for his life But in hiding he was found by the creatures A druid and his acolytes heard a warrior's cry And came with wands of hazel To drive the beasts away
You see my king That adventure was surely more dire Than the loss of my sons The tale was considered And one of the sons was released