The generally-accepted correct spelling of his name is in fact Lleu, a Brythonic word meaning, as the verb lleu, "lighted", which gives us modern Welsh goleuo ("to light"), and, significantly, lleuad ("moon"). This series of luminary associations suggests a status as a solar deity, and identifiable as the same gods we find in Gaelic paganism as Lúgh and Gaulish as Lugus. Therefore, taking the full name given in the Mabinogi and correcting it, we have Lleu Llaw Gyffes, meaning "Light Deft-Hand", which has its counterpart in Gaelic versions of this myth in the name of Lúgh Lamh-fada, meaning "Light Long-Hand".
Lugh's Song
Child of destiny, fate in thy hand,
Power and longing upon the land,
Truth to thy left, honor to thy right,
Her gift to thee, a spear of Light;
What say thee, son, a changeling sure?
What say thee, son, in deference to Her?
Songs of faery in thy heart,
Touch of giants sketch thy art:
One to each, yet one to all --
Ye are the one that Spirit called.
Who are thee, son, a changeling sure?
Who are thee, son, in deference to Her?
Mending the weave of Earth’s torn spark,
Ye hold the Goddess’s own true mark,
:Light of healing, Light of war:
Tis thine to open that mystic Door.
How choose thee, son, a changeling sure?
How choose thee, son, in deference to Her?
Of times gone past, and times returned,
Seekers study to discern
The truth Fey-written upon thy Spear:
"If used against any, ‘twill disappear."
Where dance thee, now, my changeling pure?
Where dance thee, now, in deference to Her?
A Walk with Lugh
Verse 1:
I stand with Lugh beneath the sky
Surveying all the land,
Contemplating just who am I?...
And trying to understand
Such Power given, though caution guides,
Within these healing hands;
A warrior’s heart with gentle side,
Marked with the Faeries’ brand.
Chorus:
Magic time, magic place
Surrounded by such mystic grace
That nothing Dark can ere erase
This Mark of the Faery brand.
Verse 2:
I walk with Lugh through forest glade,
Singing a mystic tune,
And – like a Bard of yesterday –
I know it’s Spirit-hewn;
We carry twigs of Hazel tree –
Etched with protective runes,
Seeking the Truth that sets us free,
Beneath an August moon.
Chorus:
Magic time, magic place
Surrounded by such mystic grace
That nothing Dark can ere erase
This Touch of an August moon.