- published: 19 Jun 2010
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Aneirin or Neirin was a Dark Age Brythonic poet. He is believed to have been a bard or 'court poet' in one of the Cumbric kingdoms of the Old North or Hen Ogledd, probably that of Gododdin at Edinburgh, in modern Scotland. From the 17th century, his name was often incorrectly spelled Aneurin.
The works attributed to Aneirin are preserved in a late-13th century manuscript known as the Book of Aneirin (or Llyfr Aneirin). The language has been partially modernized into Middle Welsh, but other portions in Old Welsh indicate that at least some of the poetry dates from around Aneirin's time, and its attribution, therefore, may well be genuine. The work would have survived through oral transmission until first written down, perhaps in the 9th century.
Aneirin's best known work is Y Gododdin, a series of elegies for the warriors of the northern Brythonic kingdom of Gododdin who, in circa 600, fell against the Angles of Deira and Bernicia at the Battle of Catraeth (probably Catterick in North Yorkshire). The poetry abounds in textual difficulties and consequently interpretations vary. One stanza contains what may possibly be the earliest reference to Arthur, as a paragon of bravery with whom one fallen warrior is compared : the identification is, however, conjectural. The poem tells us that Aneirin was present at this battle and, having been taken prisoner, was one of only four (or two) Brythonic survivors. He remained a captive until his ransom was paid by Ceneu ap Llywarch Hen.
We travel below the world of our conspiracies
But never shall we plead with peace
So tell me how, how can you believe
But still disagree
On the hills of this lonely destruction
You drag this on
But still expect sympathy
When death comes your way
The sky screamed, and it cried
But we crawled back into our holes
And we forgot where we were
Oh self, your sense of love is fading
And you aren't the world tonight
I'm frickin' dead
So preach on you lonely sinners
I'll show you what's more real
More real, than what you'll ever feel
You'll ever feel
I will burn this place down, I'll show you something real
I'll show you how your heart is hollow, you're so hollow
This place is dead just like your pointless beating heart
I'll show you how your heart is hollow, you're so hollow
The bricks became our bed, with hollow regret
And thus screams, "rest your head beautiful liars"
But who can sleep with blooded liturgy
Even with a side of death ridden sympathy
Because this life is a question
And we sleep where we want to
At the bottom of the sky
At the bottom of the sky
At the bottom of death
So death won't scream louder
Die alone, without regret
Sing this song on your last breath
The sky screamed, and it cried
But we crawled back into our holes
And we forgot where we were
Oh self, your sense of love is fading
And you aren't the world tonight