The Soldier's Song

[njones at ix.netcom.com]

The Soldier's Song

No more the bonny lands I'll roam
Of my dear Ansteorra.
For I have taken up the sword 
And ordered into battle.
I've left my land, kissed me my wife,
And I have marched awa,
Far from the lands I've always known
Of my dear Ansteorra.

We marched by night, we marched by day,
Our bold King to lead us.
Until we came to a windswept plain
Where foemen did greet us.
I swallowed fear, heft up my sword
and harkened to the horns
Announcing then, the cry of War
For my dear Ansteorra.

The battle raged the whole day though.
The ground was red and bloody.
My comrades fell around me then,
Til I alone was standing.
Then I hew left and I hew right,
And I have taken toll,
Of those who fight, against the might
Of my dear Ansteorra.

The sunset came, the fighting ceased,
And I was gravely wounded.
Around me lay the silent dead,
Their lives too soon were ended.
Though we fought hard and we fought long,
And we had won the day,
Here I lay, and here I die,
For my dear Ansteorra.
For my dear Ansteorra.

*****
(Although I wrote the words, the tune can be
found on the Dead Can Dance CD "Into the Labryinth"
in their version of "The Wind That Shakes The Barley"
although I admit that I might have changed it a bit
in the creation.)

Gio.