(Verse 1)
In ancient lands where druids roam
A god of Tribes made his home
Protector fierce with iron hand
Bringing fortune to the land
(Verse 2)
The cauldron deep with secrets old
Where fates are sealed and stories told
A crimson gift for bountiful yield
The price of war on battlefield
(Pre-Chorus)
Through sacred groves and misty hills
His power flows in ancient rills
(Chorus)
Watcher of the tribes, hear our call
Through mist and shadow, standing tall
Watcher of the tribes, guide our way
In times of peace and battle’s fray
(Verse 3)
Silver scenes of ancient rite
Figures dance in firelight
The wolf below awaits rebirth
As life returns to fertile earth
(Verse 4)
In whispered tales and legends past
The old ways fade but still they last
A god remembered, fierce and bold
In Celtic hearts his story’s told
(Pre-Chorus)
From old stones and misty hills
His power flows in ancient rills
(Chorus x3)
Watcher of the tribes, hear our call
Through mist and shadow, standing tall
Watcher of the tribes, guide our way
In times of peace and battle’s fray
In our music, we often delve into the mysteries of time, life, and death, exploring how these concepts intertwine within the fabric of human history. We are particularly fascinated by the idea of reincarnation, the perpetual journey of the soul through different lives. Toutatis is an immersion into this realm, an echo of past lives resonating in the present.
Toutatis, the protective god of the tribe, or teuta, from which his name derives, might be depicted on one of the plates of the Gundestrup Cauldron. The scene is dominated by an imposing central figure dressed in striped garments, holding a small man upside down over a bucket-like object, possibly symbolizing a ritual. Surrounding this figure, two rows of warriors flank a horizontal tree trunk: four mounted knights armed with lances advance to the right, while seven infantrymen, led by a boar-helmeted leader, move to the left. On the right side, three men blow into carnyxes, ritual war horns, while above, a ram-horned snake adds further symbolism to the scene.
Lyrics
The lyrics describes Toutatis as a fiery, untamed deity with an iron hand. The text seeks to evoke an ancient and ritualistic atmosphere, with indirect references to themes of sacrifice and offerings to the gods.
- The God Toutatis: the text celebrates him as the protector of the tribes, invoking his power and influence over Celtic life. Toutatis is portrayed as the one who brings prosperity to the land but also as the one who exacts the price of war on the battlefield.
- Rituals and Sacrifices: these elements reflect the spiritual practices of the Celts and their connection to the divine. References to the “crimson gift” for a bountiful harvest and the toll of war suggest a world where sacrifice was an integral part of life.
- The Cyclical Nature: the verse “the wolf below awaits rebirth / As life returns to fertile earth” conveys a cyclical view of life, where death is seen as part of a process of renewal.
- The Invocation: “Watcher of the tribes, hear our call / Through mist and shadow, standing tall / Watcher of the tribes, guide our way / In times of peace and battle’s fray” is a clear invocation to Toutatis in moments of both peace and war. The repetition and rhythm of the words emphasize the importance of the god in Celtic culture and his role as a guide and protector of the tribes.
The Musical Atmosphere
The song is performed with two distinct vocal styles:
- A lyrical voice in verse and pre-chorus, almost anxious voice representing the dream of a soul recalling a past life, describing the setting of an ancient Celtic ritual.
- A rock voice in the chorus, embodying the last words the sacrificed individual remembers before death, serving as an ode to the god Toutatis, a key element in interpreting the piece.
The combination of lyrical and rock voices creates a contrast reflecting the duality of dream and reality, life and death. Through this song, we aim to evoke echoes of a past that continues to resonate in the present, recalling ancient beliefs and the enduring power of myths.
The theme may seem controversial, as the idea of human or animal sacrifice is now viewed as unacceptable in a society that prioritizes the preservation of individual life and separates the sacred from physical sacrifice. However, for the Celts and other ancient cultures, sacrifice was a sacred act, necessary and integral to their understanding of life, death, and the divine.
It did not contradict the concept of life but integrated it into a cyclical vision of existence, where life and death were inseparable. Sacrifice was a sacred offering to honor the gods, ensure cosmic balance, and promote prosperity. Considered a gift rather than a destruction, sacrifice, whether human, animal, or symbolic, represented a form of devotion and purification, aimed at the collective well-being. Death in sacrifice was seen as a necessary transformation to regenerate life, and in antiquity, it was essential to celebrating and preserving the continuity of the natural and spiritual cycle.
