Guth nam Beò translates from Gaelic to “Voice of the Living”, and are the first singing group to perform at Beltane Fire Festival.

They embody the otherwordly figures the Tuatha Dè Danann, a supernatural group of creatures from Gaelic mythology. Although they dwell in the spiritual realm, they often interact with humans and return to our realm on the night of Beltane to celebrate the May Queen and the Green Man’s ritual union.

Just as other groups at Beltane honour the two deities with their performances, Guth nam Beò give tribute to the May Queen and the Green Man by performing their favourite songs and dances. Their performance will illustrate the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water as well as broader themes like death, rebirth, and love.

One of Guth nam Beò wrote this poem about the upcoming celebrations:

–Before the First Night–

Come, see, our history is here.
With a hello and a bye we began.
You and me
And the stars flew above,
Come and see, our story begins.

One, two, three, four, my love.
Silence enclosed what’s to come.
But you sang and awed me,
Caught me,
created life as we see.

And first
a slight touch on you.
The sun,
warmth, new life in you.

Made it new and pure
before the rains came.

This story repeats
to build your home
in a world which is not
as inviting as it once was

At this time you may mirror yourself
disguised as someone else.
That veil covering your pale embrace
won’t last and will fall
when the Green Man sheds his last winter.

And your fellows will follow you
through the cleansing fire
to make your story true
as if it never died
as if time never forgot
when absolution takes over you

And the sounds will take over every ear.
they will rise as the fire
to put away the murky old season in you
as your life ascends in this debut.

Our May Queen

– Ludwing Perez

Featured image by Gordon Veitch for Beltane Fire Society. All rights reserved.