Celtic Roots Revival Notes:
The Fianna was the name of the Irish standing army up to and during the 3rd Century. They attained their greatest power in the reign of King Cormac Mac Art (254-277) under their most renowned commander Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn Mac Cool). Before admission to the ranks, candidates were subjected to certain severe physical tests. These consisted of running, leaping, defence against an attack of armed spearmen, and such like. Also, no man would be taken into the Fianna until he was an accomplished poet, and had read the Twelve Books of Filedeacht (Philosophy/Poetry).
For six months of the year they were billeted on the well-to-do people all over Ireland — fed and lodged free. When not employed in training or fighting they spent the six months from the feast of Bealtaine (1st May) until the Feast of Samhain (1st November) camped out.
They hunted, feasted and made music. They chanted the Dord Fiann...
Refs: A Social History of Ireland (P.W. Joyce) Dineen's Irish-English Dictionary Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish (O'Curry).
Féasta na Féinne
Dhordaidís an Dord Fiann,
úúúúúú
Sheinnidís ceol binn
úúúúúú
Feoil go maidí sceana,
Ceol go breacadh an lae,
o'l le haer an tsaoil
Ceol go breacadh an lae
They used to chant
the Dord Fiann ú …
Sweet music they would play ú …
Game galore for the wood handled knives
Music 'till the break of day.
Drink a plenty, as the air of life,
Music 'till the break of day.