References to the songs of enchanters in the Finnish story cycle, The Kalevala, demonstrate the extent of the power attributed to incantation in early societies.
The Finns saw incantations - either to promote good or evil - as having absolute power over the whole of nature, the elements and spirits. By this means the sorcerer, or magician, could even control the gods and bring back dead ancestors to torment the living.
This power contained in the songs of the priest/magician is recognised in many cultures. Echoes of it are found centuries later in Irish folklore. As late as the eighteenth century, in rural areas, any song composed about an individual - even one made in praise of a maiden's beauty - was still considered inherently dangerous.
This could lead to much social embarrassment, since it was equally dangerous to offend a touchy poet, who might respond to a rejected song of praise by substituting a potentially fatal satire.
