(Verse 1)
From ancient shadows, he appears
Crowned with antlers, eyes severe
Lord of nature, wild and free
Master of beast and leafy tree
(Chorus)
Horned God! Ruler of the wood
Your power shakes where mortals stood
Forest King! Spirit of the hunt
Your roar echoes, a timeless chant!
(Verse 2)
Among sacred oaks, he dances light
Primal magic at its height
Guiding cycles of life and death
Timeless wisdom in every breath
(Chorus)
Horned God! Ruler of the wood
Your power shakes where mortals stood
Forest King! Spirit of the hunt
Your roar echoes, a timeless chant!
(Verse 3)
I ndeasghnátha ársa, glaoimid ar d’ainm
Trínn, sreabhann do chumhacht gan srian
Cosain sinn, a Dhia Mhór na mBeann
Ó fhearg an dúlra, gan aon choimhlint
(Chorus x2)
Horned God! Ruler of the wood
Your power shakes where mortals stood
Forest King! Spirit of the hunt
Your roar echoes, a timeless chant!
In this passage, we explore one of the most enigmatic and powerful figures in Celtic mythology: Cernunnos, the Horned God. This deity is not just a mythological character but an essence of nature itself, embodying wild force and the cycles of life and death. Our interpretation is enriched by historical echoes, particularly those connected to the Gundestrup cauldron: one of the most famous plates depicts a horned god, seated cross-legged, surrounded by animals, holding a torque in his right hand and a horned ram-headed serpent in his left hand.
This figure is widely identified as Cernunnos and represents one of the oldest and most complete depictions of this deity.
Lyrics
The image on the Gundestrup cauldron plate inspired us in creating our track, trying to capture its majesty.
- Lord of Nature: Cernunnos is described as the “Lord of nature, wild and free” and “master of beasts and leafy trees“. His connection with nature is profound and represents the primordial power and harmony of the natural world. His figure on the Gundestrup cauldron, surrounded by animals, confirms this inseparable bond.
- King of the Forest: The track refers to him also as “forest King” emphasizing his role as sovereign over wild spaces and his authority over the animals that inhabit them. This connection with the forest makes him a guardian of sacred places and the mysteries hidden among the trees.
- Power and Fear: The text highlights Cernunnos’s power, stating that “your power shakes where mortals stood“. His “roar echoes, a timeless chant” inspiring respect and awe. This representation emphasizes his primordial strength and his role as a force of nature to be respected and venerated.
- Cycles of Life and Death: Cernunnos is seen as a guide in the “cycles of life and death“, embodying the cyclical nature of existence and the continuous transformation of life. This connection with both sides of existence makes him a complex and multifaceted figure.
- Request for Protection: In the final part of the track, in Gaelic language, we invoke Cernunnos as “great God of the mountains” and ask for his protection “from nature’s fury, without conflict“. This invocation shows our reverence for this deity and our hope in his benevolent intervention.
- Symbolism: The description of Cernunnos “crowned with antlers” is a reference to his traditional iconography. The horns represent the power of nature, fertility, and his connection with the animal world, emphasizing his wild nature. His depiction on the Gundestrup cauldron confirms this iconographic symbolism.
The Musical Atmosphere
To convey Cernunnos’s majesty and power, we chose a sound that combines symphonic and power metal elements. The track opens with a string intro that evokes an ancient and mysterious atmosphere, like an awakening from deep within the forest. The rhythm then becomes driving, with guitars added to the melody and a rhythm that grows in intensity to represent Cernunnos’s growing energy. The power metal sonorities create a perfect union with the orchestrations, underlining Cernunnos’s primordial force and his connection with wild nature. Everything merges in a crescendo of intensity to make the God’s power felt: this sound aims to evoke his majesty and the energy of nature that he represents.
“Cernunnos” is an ode to a powerful and fascinating mythological figure who embodies the force of nature, the cycles of life and death, and the mysteries of the most ancient forests. Our musical interpretation draws inspiration not only from the texts but also from historical evidence, such as the Gundestrup cauldron, which allows us to deepen our knowledge of this deity and his influence on Celtic culture.
