The Irish standard., 1916-03-18
LEGEND OF. FIRST
Harp OF IRELAND
Dagda, Pagan God, Won the Love
of Maiden He Wooed Through
the Sweet Strains of
Its Strings.

n arrives public attention is
L. drawn to the green flag of Erin
and its harp of gold. The popu-
larity Of this national emblem is so
complete that the design of the EN-.
erald isle has gained world renown.
Not only natives of the "auld sod," but
people of other nations show an indis-
putable fondness for this flag. It is
not because the banner of green is
representative of power or wealth that
1t has been able to blaze its own way
into prominence, but the secret of the
admiration of the Irish flag lies in the
fact that it symbolizes so exactly the
national characteristics of it's people.
The color suggests the constant YER
dure of the island, the outdoor habits
of the rural folk and the sunshine of
life which is reflected in each Irish
heart. Times may be hard and dark
clouds of poverty lower, but the Irish
always see the silver Innings which
foretell better days. The people talk,
laugh and act in music, each singing
his song from the cradle to the grave.
Some measures are glad and some are
sad, but hope is never abandoned.
In choosing the harp as their ma
tional emblem the sons of Erin wove
the symbol of their very being into
each Irish flag. The harp represents
their early religious worship, both pa.
gan and Christian; their national recre-
alton, the medium through which the
deeds of their heroes were taught to
the people and the book from which
every child in early times learned the
lessons of patriotism and love of coun-
try. From historical accounts it seems
that this musical instrument is as old
as Irish civilization, but even history
Is antedated by the legend of the first
harp of Ireland.
The old story of Dagda, the pagan
god, tells that once when the hero was
walking by one of the beautiful lakes
Of his country he beheld pretty dam.
sci. 1t was love at first sight on the
chiefs part for Dagda sought the
maiden, in the hope of gaining her
hand in marriage. Probably the girl
was not so favorably impressed with
her wooer. She ran into the forest to
hide from him, but Dagda pursued
close by. At length upon coming to a
rounding beach the maiden's attention
was absorbed by strange sounds. Such
music! The dried skin of q whale
stretched over the skeleton of the
creature formed harp for the mourn.
full wind to whistle through. The girl
was enchanted. When Dagda saw that
such sounds fascinated her, he impro.
vised wooden instrument patterned
from the whale harp. BY plucking the
strings with his strong finger, he
played such sweet music to the maid
en- that he finally won her heart.
The success of this romance gave
the incentive to other lovers to fashion
similar harps until it was not long be-
fore the "old story" was set to music
whenever young chief went wooing.
Harpers. all over the country accom-.
panied their stories OF love and valor
with this musical. instrument. Bards
journeyed from place to place with
their harps, singing Of the deeds of
wonder which their brave chiefs had
accomplished. AS all this happened
long before the day Of printers ink, it
was the only way in which the people
of the land could learn of the conflicts
and victories of their own heroes. The
harpers were always welcome and
: given the best in the house. Even
, kings were so gladdened by their pres
ence that the coming of one Of these
bards meant q banquet in the great
hall where the table seated more than
. hundred. II story teller was pres
ent he shared honors with the harp
list. for these two entertai lers fur
aished the nerriment for the sll-night