Many years ago, I started working on a lyrical version of the Táin Bó Cúailnge or Cattle Raid of Cooley. I thought I'd stick it here in case anyone wanted to take it and use it or in case I wanted to try to finish it. I meant for it to be sung to Whiskey in the Jar or If I Should Fall . I kind of prefer the latter. I'll put comments after every verse if there's something of interest: God made all o'Ireland mad Every Gael from Cork to Kerry All the songs they sing are sad All the wars they wage are merry (The above verse is unashamedly cribbed from Ballad of the White Horse by Chesterton. This is in the section describing Colan the Celt. ) For the great Gaels of Ireland Are the men that God made mad, For all their wars are merry, And all their songs are sad. If you've ever wished to know Why the Irish are unruly Then just listen to my song 'bout the cattle raid of Cooley There's an ancient Irish queen And a hero who repulsed her It's Achilles dre