Flidais is a fascinating figure in Irish mythology. She is a wild thing, an antlered goddess most at home in the vast forest with a herd of does and a magic cow for her companions. Born of the De Danaan – a clan of fae folk - Flidais is known as the Protectress of wild animals, cattle, and deer. In the old tales she has colorful encounters with men, as well. She demonstrates powerful magic and a powerful libido, as well!
I see Flidais in the deep dark eyes of does who wander the prairie and woods that Stu and I call home. To them I dedicate this song.
∞∞∞
FLIDAIS OF THE FOREST
Words, music, vocals, egg shaker, and harmonium by Diane Laura Rains. Hammered dulcimer by Stu Janis.
Copyright © 2019 by Diane Laura Rains. All Rights Reserved.
∞∞∞ LYRICS ∞∞∞
A young man went walking in deep woods one day.
After some hours he lost his way.
Tired and confused, he sat under a tree, saying
“If no one passes here, what will become of me?”
He cried, “Can any, anyone hear me?
Won’t someone show me the way to town?
If not, I fear that I’ll surely perish
and leave my bones upon this ground.”
Then from the dark wood, a lady appeared
walking quite barefoot among a herd of deer.
Skin fair as milk, hair of strawberry gold,
gown green as young ivy, dark eyes bright and bold.
Upon her shoulder there sat a falcon.
Butterflies flew ‘round her head and settled like a cloud.
At her right hand stood a beautiful cow
whose lowing was musical, though he cold not say how.
“Lady, oh, lady, I’m struck as if by blows
to see such a fair maid in the company of does!
Pray, can you help me get out of this place?
Or just let me die gazing on your lovely face.”
She said “I’m Flidais — Flidais The Soft-Haired.
These does are my children, these woods my home.
And if I help you, you’ll be in my debt —
a debt you must honor wherever you may roam.”
And she sang, “All wild creatures are my kine
fox, deer, and rabbit, vital and divine.
If you’d take my part,
walk among my daughters,
swim with the otters,
follow the White Hart.”
“Gladly, oh, Lady, do I accept your terms,
for you’ve spared this poor man a death among the worms
But grant me some cow’s milk; I’m weak as a calf.
And when I’ve recovered, your favor may I have?”
“Sir, she is special, my cow, ‘The Maol.’
She does not labor in the fields nor in the dairy toil.
But you may drink and grow strong again.
Her milk and my favor have sustained 300 men!
When they were sated, she led him away
out of the forest, so he’d live another day.
“Won’t you come with me? Yon town’s where I dwell.
It’s there we’ll be married, for you know I love you well!”
She said, "I'm Flidais of the De Danaan,
born to the Fair Folk who dwell in the west.
I won’t go with you, for here I’m needed:
Protector of Animals. It’s they that I love best!”
And she sang, “All wild creatures are my kine
fox, deer, and rabbit, vital and divine.
If you’d take my part,
walk among my daughters,
swim with the otters,
follow the White Hart.
Follow your wild heart!”
