The Tale of the Wily Bog Cat

Ríoghnach Locha Eachach

Oh come hither now
And sit by my fire
And listen to the tale I tell
Come hear the story
Of the poor bastard
Who didn't heed it well
For in these darkened bogs is a crafty thing
That no known man can catch
Oh come hear the tale of the wily Bog Cat

The wily Bog Cat
Is a crafty beastie
Who lives on tears and frogs
The swiftest swimmer
You ever did see
And it disappears just like fog
And a legend there is about this feline
Should you grasp it 'fore it can run
Oh come hear the tale and learn

The legend was heard
By a brash young man
Who thought he could catch the beast
So he crept to the bog
From the safety of a fort
Where he might have had a feast
And in that peat marsh so deep and dark
He locked eyes with the cat
Oh come hear the tale of that

His thoughts were filled
With the dream of a wish
Rather than on his two feet
Stuck fast in the bog
There was no contest
And he feared ne'er to be released
But the Bog Cat smiled its vicious grin
And meowed a soulful sound
Oh come hear what happens now

Poor fool doesn't know
What happened to him
As his memory is blank
But safe he is, yes
For the Bog Cat knows
That the power of fear is great
Left bare he was in the town's main square
Only mud to hide his jewels
Oh come hear the tale of fools

Oh come hither now
And sit by my fire
And listen to the tale I tell
Come hear the story
Of the poor bastard
Who didn't heed it well
And never again shall I go to that marsh
And I'll warn you all the same
Oh come hear the tale of the wily Bog Cat
And stay to hear my shame

This page maintained by Cerian Cantwr, cerian@minstrel.com.