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A Pict Song
Aiken Drum
Anachie Gordan
Arafel's Lament
The Bachelor
Bailiffs Daughter of Islington
Ballad of Bedivere
Ballad of Three Kings
Ballad of Threes
Barley Mow
Barneybub Song
Barretts Privateers
The Battle of Hastings (a poem)
Bedlam Boys
Beermaids in Valhalla
Bird of Gold
The Blackbird
Bloody Hand of O'Donnel
Bold Marauder
Bonny banks of The Vergio
Borderlands
Brandywine
Brave and Bonny Host
Burden of the Crown
Call To Battle
Captain Jack and the Mermaid
The Champion
Chastity Belt
Chill Eastern Winds
Chivalry, Honor, and Love
Christmas Day In The Morning
Cloudy Day
Contari-Danse (a tale)
Cruel Mother
Cruel Sister
Dimming of the Day
Don Quixote
Dos Beers
Dram for the Piper
Dreary Dream
Drunken Eskalyan
Duct Tape Madrigal
Dun Cow
The Dutchman
Edi Beo
Edward The Bloody Bastard
Eileen Aroon
Elf Glade
Eric the Awful
Fair Mistland
The Favor
Flower of the Desert
Fireship
Gage Of War
Garnett's Homemade Beer
Gaudete
Geordie
Giant
Glen Logie
Grand Melee Blues
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
Green Grow the Rushes-O
Green Grow the Rushes-O (a memory song)
Grey Funnel Line
Gwyndolyn and the Troll
Harris and the Mare
Health To The Company
High Barbary
The Highwayman
Horse Thief Song
Into The Green
Irish French Letter
Itches In My Britches
I Want to Be Seduced
Jabberwocky (a tale)
Jack The Slob
Jeana's Song
Jenny And The Dragon (a poem)
John Barleycorn
Johnny Be Fair
The King
The Knight And The Unicorn
Lady Mary
Logs To Burn
Lough Rask
Lucky
Madam I'm A Darlin'
The Maid on the Shore
March of Cambreadth
Mary Mac
Men of Worth
Moose Song
Morgan Le Fay
My Awards
My Youngest Son Came Home Today
Nine Against Two And Half (a poem)
No Courage
The Oak
Oak and Ash and Thorn

Oh No, Not I
Old Used Queen
On We Go
Parcel Of Rogues
Peacetime Soldier
The Peeler and the Goat
Praise to the Moon
Queen Of Air And Darkness
The Quest
Ramblin' Rover
The Raven
The Red Queen
Riddling Maid
Rimini
Robin Hood And The Peddler
Rolling Down To Old Maui
Rose You Wore for Me
Rounds
Babylon Dwarves Are Dumb
Heigh Ho Come Follow
Fairie Circle Wind in the Pipes
The Hunt Is Up
The Scotsman
Song of the Swan Maiden
Song to Sing-O
Suicide Is Painless
The Taverner Song
Three Ravens
Tinkerman's Daughter
To Oertha Ho!
To Swing a Cat
To the West
True Thomas
Two Magicians
Unquiet Grave
Valley of Dreams
A Viking Love Song
A Viking Love Song-Reply 1 (by Justin ap Seas)
A Viking Love Song-Reply 2 (by Anastacia the Terror)
Vivat the Dream
Volga Birthday
The Wall
Waltzing With Bears
We Are the Chivalry
Weary Cutters
Well (Braw) Burn the Bridges
Westmereland
When I'm King No More
White Unicorn II
Will You Go Lassie
Win Crown
Winter Rose
Yevgenia and the Snow Dragon
Resources

A Pict Song
Rudyard Kipling

Rome never looks where she treads.
Always her heavy hooves fall
On our stomachs, our hearts or our heads;
And Rome never heeds when we bawl.
Her sentries pass on -- that is all,
And we gather behind them in hordes,
And plot to reconquer the Wall,
With only our tongues for our swords.

We are the Little Folk -- we!
Too little to love or to hate.
Leave us alone and you'll see
How we can drag down the State!
We are the worm in the wood!
We are the rot at the root!
We are the taint in the blood!
We are the thorn in the foot!

Mistletoe killing an oak --
Rats gnawing cables in two --
Moths making holes in a cloak --
How they must love what they do!
Yes -- and we Little Folk too,
We are a busy as they --
Working our works out of view --
Watch, and you'll see it some day!

No indeed! We are not strong,
But we know Peoples that are.
Yes, and we'll guide them along
To smash and destroy you in War!
We shall be slaves just the same?
Yes, we have always been slaves,
But you -- you will die of the shame,
And then we shall dance on your graves!

We are the Little Folk -- we!
Too little to love or to hate.
Leave us alone and you'll see
How we can drag down the State!
We are the worm in the wood!
We are the rot at the root!
We are the taint in the blood!
We are the thorn in the foot!

Aiken Drum

Ken you how a whig can fight
Aikendrum, Aikendrum?
Ken you how a whig can fight, Aikendrum?
He can fight the hero bright with his heels and armor light
And the wind of heavenly night, Aikendrum, Aikendrum.
Is not Rowley in the right? Aikendrum?

Did you hear of Sunderland, Aikendrum, Aikendrum?
Did you hear of Sunderlund, Aikendrum?
That man of high command, who has sworn to clear the land,
He has vanished from our strand, Aikendrum, Aikendrum.
Or the eel has taken the sand, Aikendrum.

Donals's Running round and round, Aikendrum, Aikendrum.
Donald's running round and round, Aikendrum.
But the chief cannot be found, and the Dutchmen they are drowned
And King Jaime he is crowned, Aikendrum, Aikendrum.
But the dogs will get a stound, Aikendrum.

We have heard of Whigs galore, Aikendrum, Aikendrum.
We have heard of Whigs galore, Aikendrum.
But we've sought the country o'er, with the cannon and claymore
And still they are beford, Aikendrum, Aikendrum.
We may seek forever more, Aikendrum.

Anachie Gordon
Traditional, arr. Mary Black
G Am D
Hearking is bonny, and there lives my love
C G Em C
My heart lies on him and will not remove
G D G
It will not remove, oh, for all that I have done
G C G Em
Oh, I never will forget my love Anachie.

For Anachie Gordon, he's bonny and he's rough
He'd entice any woman that ever he saw
He'd entice any woman, and so he has done me
Oh, I never will forget my love, Anachie.

Down came her father, and he's standing by the door
Saying, "Jeanne, you're trying the tricks of a whore!

You care nothing for a man who cares so very much for thee,
You must marry Lord Sultan and leave Anachie.
For Anachie Gordon he's barely but a man,
Although he may be pretty, but where are his lands?
Oh, the Sultan's lands are broad, and his towers they run high,
You must marry Lord Sultan and leave Anachie."

With Anachie Gordon I'd beg for my bread
And before I'll marry Sultan it's gold to my head.

With gold to my head and gowns fringed to the knee,
And I'll die if I don't get my love, Anachie.
And you that are my parent's to church you may me bring
But unto Lord Sultan I'll never bear a son,
To a son or a daughter I'll never bow my knee,
And I'll die if I don't get my love, Anachie.

Jeanne was married and from church she was brought home
And when she and her maidens so merry should have been

When she and her maidens so merry should have been
She has gone into her chamber, she cries all alone.

"Come to bed now Jeanne, me honey and my sweet,
For to style you my mistress, it would be so sweet."

"Be it mistress or Jeanne, it's all the same to me
For in your bed Lord Sultan I never will lie."
And down came her father and he's spoken with renown
Saying, "You that are her maidens, go loosen up her gowns."
But she fell down to the floor, so close down by his knee,
Saying "Father, look I'm dying for my love Anachie."

The day that Jeanne married was the day that Jeanne died.
And the day that young Anachie came home on the tide.

And down came her maidens all wringing of their hands
Saying, "Oh, it's been so long, You've spent so long on the sands.
So long on the sands, so long on the floods. [Sea-Jenny]
They have married your Jeanne, and now she lies dead."
"You that are her maidens, come take me by the hand,
And take me to the chamber, that my love, she lies in."
And he's kissed her cold lips 'til his heart had turned to stone,
And he's died in the chamber, that his love, she lies in.

Arafel's Lament

The sorrow of the Elves is they live beyond their time
The tree of swords and jewels waits for me
Until the world forgets them, saving tales and rhyme
When shall I hang my own upon the tree?

The sorrow of the Elves is that all they love must die
The tree of swords and jewels waits for me
Time withers all about them, but the Elves it passes by
When shall I hang my own upon the tree?

The sorrow of the Elves is they dare not touch a friend
The tree of swords and jewels waits for me
For touching brings a change that magic cannot mend
When shall I hang my own upon the tree?

The sorrow of the Elves made them seek another place
The tree of swords and jewels waits for me
And I alone remain, the last of our lost race
When shall I hang my own upon the tree?

Now I alone remain, to mourn and count the cost
The tree of swords and jewels waits for me
Of every leaf that fades, and every flower lost
When shall I hang my own upon the tree?

Yes I alone remain to hold the land that magic made
The tree of swords and jewels waits for me
I can't hold back the dark, and daily see it fade
When shall I hang my own upon the tree?

The sorrow now is mine, who harms when I should heal
The tree of swords and jewels waits for me
And how long must I bear the stamp of sorrow's seal
When shall I hang my own upon the tree?

The Bachelor

I've a nice little Cottage, and a cow or two at grass
I've a fine garden growing by the door.
I've a shelter for the hens, and a stable for the ass.
Now what could a man want more?

I don't know, maybe so but a Bachelor is easy, and he's free.
And I've lots to look after, though I'm living all alone,
Sure nobody's looking after me.

Me father often tells me, I should go and have a try
To find a girl that owns a bit of land.
And I know the way he says it, there's someone on his mind.
And me Mother has the whole thing planned.

I don't know, maybe so
But t'would mollify them greatly to agree.

Now there's little Bridget Flynn, sure its her I'd love to win,
But she's never had an eye for me.
Now there's a little girl, who's worth her weight in gold
But that's the main idea don't you see.
And I plan to go and ask her just as soon as I get bold,
If she'll come and have an eye for me.

Will she go, I don't know,
But I'd love to have her sitting on my knee.
And I'd sing like a thrush in a Hawthorn bush,
If she'd come and have an eye for me.

Will she go, I don't know,
But I'd love to have her sitting on my knee.
And I'd sing like a thrush in a Hawthorn bush,
If she'd come and have an eye for me.

Bailiff's Daughter of Islington (Child #105)
Trad Arr by Danny Carnahan
(Journey's of the Heart)

There was a youth and a well bred youth,
A squire's only son
He fell in love with the bailiff's daughter
That lived near Islington.
When his parents came to hear
Of his foolish courtship line
They sent him away to London town
And in apprentice did him bind,
To study books and learn the law
No comfort did he find.
"The girl I love I'll see her more,
She still runs in my mind."

When a year had past and gone
His mates got leave to play.
And back on the road to Islington
The lad he stole away.
And the maid she's dressed as a beggar maid
In a tattered gown of grey.
And she's off to fair London gone
With the sun high in the day.
And the maid she's stopped to rest awhile
the day being hot and dry.
And there she spied her own true love
As he came riding by.

She took his horse by the bridle rein
And drew him gently in.
Saying," Give to me one penny Sir,
To ease my weary limbs."
"Oh where were you born," said the well bred youth,
"Where do you come from?"
"From Islington, kind Sir," she said,
"Where I've suffered many a wrong."
"Well, if you come from Islington,

I'm sure you can't but know
If the Bailiff's daughter be dead or alive.
Come tell me if you know."

"She's not alive, but she is dead,
And in her grave so low.
She's not alive, but she is dead
These three long months or more."

"Oh, if my true love, she is dead,
And in her grave so cold.
What use have I for my father's lands,
What claim to riches hold?"

"So take from me my milk white steed,
My saddle and my bow,
And I will go to a foreign land,
Where no one we will know."

Bailiff's Daughter(cont.)

But when she saw the grief she caused,
By the telling of the lie,
The maid's cast off her beggar's clothes,
Stood revealed before his eyes.
"She is not dead, she is alive,
And standing by your side.
Your loving maid, she is alive,
And ready to be your bride."

"Fly away grief and welcome joy,
Ten thousand times to me!
For I have found my own true love
That I thought I ne'er would see!"

"Fly away grief and welcome joy,
Ten thousand times to me!
For I have found my own true love
That I thought I ne'er would see!"

Ballad of Bedivere

When he knew death was drawing near,
Arthur drew at last Excalibur.
Called he then for Sir Bedivere,
To charge him with his sword.
"Take my sword Excalibur,
And cast it down in yonder mere.
Do this as you hold me dear,
A king must keep his word."

"Bedivere, Oh Bedivere, 'tis time I must return Excalibur.
Bedivere, Oh Bedivere, return Excalibur for me...
I charge thee!"

Down he went then, Sir Bedivere,
Slowly trudging to the silent mere.
Drew he forth then Excalibur,
To cast the sword away.
Bright they gleamed, each jewel as one,
Brighter than the morning sun.
How could such a deed be done?
Sir Bedivere cried, "Nay!"
(CHORUS)
Brandished he then the magic brand,
White as moonlight on the printless sand.
Steadied he then his trembling hand,
King Arthur for to please.
Boldly with his fears he fought,
Back his arm, his sinews taut.
Now or no...but all for naught,
He crumbled to his knees.
(CHORUS)
Then he wept, brave Sir Bedivere,
"How may I return Excalibur,
Though it were for my King so dear?"
Sir Bedivere, he prayed:
"Lady mantled of the sky,
Aid thy servant ere he die!"
Lifted he the sword on high,
and cast the magic blade.
(CHORUS)
Then he watched as it cut the night,
Gleaming with a strange, unearthly light.
Straight it flew, as an arrow's flight,
To find its watery grave.
Forth a hand in Samite pure,
Caught the hilt and held it sure.
Thrice it wheeled Excalibur,
Then sank below the wave.

"Bedivere, Oh Bedivere, well done thou hast returned Excalibur.
Bedivere, Oh Bedivere, no knight was truer knight than thee!"

The Ballad of the Three Kings

Three Kings rode out on the road to Hell,
And ravens flew on the gale.
The night wind rang like an iron bell,
And hissed with sleet and hail.
Three Kings rode out where the night wind runs,
and onto Death's highway.
The King of the Britons, the King of the Huns,
and the King of Nor-ro-way.

And the King of the Britons was crowned with Gold,
and rode a stallion white.
"Oh, all men gang when they are told,
but I go not in fright.
A goodly king who loved his folk,
and guarded them with the rod,
With stakes and gallows against themselves
will surely go to God."

And the King of the Huns was capped with steel,
and road a stallion red.
"Oh, truly proud my fathers feel,
of me, who crowned my head.
Halfway across a world in pain
which mightily I did win.
And I go home to my Father's Fane
and not to the Evil Djinn.

And the King of Norway was helmed with wings,
and rode a stallion grey.
"Oh, fiercely glad my heart now sings,
Odin guests me today.
I died in bed, aye, but I hung
full many a screaming thrall
on Odin's tree, with runes on tongue,
I gang now to his hall."

Three Kings rode down to the depths of Hell,
and the bloody breasted hound
howled as they rode where black rivers fell
icy beneath the ground.
Three Kings a final judgment won
from the high gods lips that day.
The Devil took the Briton, the Djinn took the Hun
and Hel took Nor-ro-way.

The Ballad of Threes
Leslie Fish and Mercedes Lackey

Deep into the stony hills, miles from keep or hold
A troupe of guards comes riding with a lady and her gold --
Riding in the center shrouded in her cloak of fur,
Companied by a maiden and a toothless, aged cur.
Three things see no end, a flower blighted ere it bloomed,
A message that was wasted, and a journey that is doomed.

One among the guardsmen has a shifting, restless eye,
And as they ride he scans the hills that rise against the sky.
He wears both sword and bracelet worth more than he can afford,
And hidden in his baggage is a heavy secret hoard.
Of three things be wary, of a feather on a cat,
The shepherd eating mutton, and the guardsman that is fat.

From ambush, bandits screaming charge the packtrain and its prize,
And all but four within the train are taken by surprise,
And all but four are cut down as a woodsman fells a log,
The guardsman, and the lady and the maiden and the cur.
Three things know a secret - first the lady in a dream,
The dog that barks no warning, and the maid who doesn't scream.

Then off the lady pulls her cloak, in armor she is clad,
Her sword is our and ready and her eyes are fierce and glad.
The maiden gestures briefly and the dog's a cur no more -
A wolf, sword-maid and sorceress now face the bandit corps!
Three things never anger or you will not live for long,
A wolf with cubs, a man with power and a woman's sense of wrong.

The bandits growl a challenge and the lady only grins,
The sorceress bows mockingly and then fight begins!
When it ends there are but four left standing from that horde,
The witch the wolf, the traitor and the woman with the sword!
Three things never trust in, the maiden sworn as "pure,"
The vows a king has given and the ambush that is "sure."

They strip the traitor naked and they whip him on his way,
Into the barren hillsides like the folks he used to slay.
And what of all the maidens that this bandit raped and slew?
So as revenge, the sorceress makes him a woman, too!
Three things always trust in, the horse on which you ride,
The beast that guards your sleeping and the shield-maid at your side.

Barley Mow

Here's good luck to the Pint pot
Good luck to the Barley mow!
Jolly good luck to the Pint pot
Good luck to the Barley mow,

Here's the Pint pot, half-a-pint, gill pot, half-a-gill,
quarter-gill, nipper kin and a brown bowl.
Here's good luck, good luck to the Barley mow.

Quart pot
Half-gallon
Gallon
Half-barrel
Barrel
Landlord
Landlady
Daughter
Brewer
Drayer
Slavey
Company

Here's the Company, the Slavey, the Drayer, the Brewer, the
Daughter, Landlady, Landlord, Barrel, Half-barrel, gallon,
Half gallon, quart-pot, pint-pot, half-a-pint, gil pot,
half-a-gil, quarter-gil, niperkin and a brown bowl.
Here's Good Luck, Good Luck to the Barley Mow.

The Barneybub Song

I love you, you love me, let's axe murder our family!
With a hack, hack, chop, chop, give me all the bones
Blood tastes better than jam and scones.

I love you, you love me, let's try electricity!
With a shock, shock, twitch, twitch, wasn't that a blast?
Now you're catching on real fast!

I love fibs, you love lies, let's tear wings off butterflies!
With a snicker, snicker, rip, rip, give me all the legs
Cut them open and eat the eggs!

Say you're bored, nothing to do? Go and get the super glue!
With a here, here, puppy, puppy, just a drop will do.
Now he'll stay like you told him to!

I love gore, you love blood, let's drown puppies in the mud!
With a blurp, blurp, gurgle, gurgle, give me all the tails,
You can't crucify them if you don't have nails.

I love guns, you love knives, let's see all of kitty's lives!
With a screech, smack, squish, squish, watch out for their claws;
Cut them off for good luck paws.

I love mess, you love fuss, push your sister in front of a bus!
With a screech, smack, squish squish, what an awful mess!
She's got blood spots on her dress!

This is fun, you will see, hang your brother from a tree!
With a kick kick, choke choke, aren't you awful bad?
Bet your mom will be real mad!

Just so no one's left to nag,give the baby a plastic bag!
With a crinkle crinkle, snurk,snurk, aren't the noises wild?
Now you are an only child!

I love ice, you love fire, make the neighbors a funeral pyre!
With a snap snap, crackle, crunch, give them all bad dreams;
Torch theirhouse and hear them scream!

I love arsenic and old lace, lets put adults in their place!
With a plop plop, fizz fizz, hide the telephone.
Give them poison while they're prone.

Now uor song is at an end, you know Barneybubs your friend!
With a crack crack, groan and moan, leather whips are fun!
Learn to use one, they can't run.

Spoken: Goodnight boys and girls, see you tomorrow!

Barrett's Privateers

Oh, the year was 1778,
(How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!)
A letter of marque come from the King
to the scummiest vessel I've ever seen

God damn them all!
I was told, we'd cruise the seas for American Gold
We'd fire no guns - shed no tears.
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
the last of Barrett's Privateers.

Oh Elcid Barrett cried the town
For twenty brave men, all fishermen who
would make for him the "Antelope's" crew
(CHORUS)
The "Antelope" sloop was a sickening sight,
She'd a list to the port and her sails in rags
and the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags
(CHORUS)
On the King's birthday we put to sea,
We were 91 days to Montego Bay
pumping like madmen all the way
(CHORUS)
On the 96th day we sailed again,
When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight
With our cracked 4 pounders we made to fight
(CHORUS)
The Yankee lay low down with gold,
She was broad and fat and loose in stays
But to catch her took the Antelope 2 whole days
(CHORUS)
Then at last we stood 2 cables away,
Our cracked 4 pounders made an awful din
But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in
(CHORUS)
The Antelope shook and pitched on her side,
Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the Mainstruck carried off both me legs
(CHORUS)
So here I lay in my 23rd year,
It's been 6 years since we sailed away
and I just made Halifax yesterday
(CHORUS)

The Battle of Hastings (with apologies to any Saxon historians)

I will tell of the Battle of Hastings
As it happened in days long gone by.
When Duke William became King of England,
And Harold got shot in the eye.

It were this way...

One day, in October,
The duke, he was always a tough,
But having no battles at the moment,
He'd given his lads the day off.

Well, they'd all grabbed their boats and gone fishin'
'Til someone, in Conqueror's ear,
Says, "Let's go breeze up some Saxons,"
And Bill says, "By gum, that's an idea."

And turning around to his soldiers
He lifts up his big Norman voice
And says, "Hands up, who's going to England!"
That was swank, 'cause they had no choice.

Well they started away about tea time
The sea was so calm and so still
And at a quarter to ten the next morning
They arrived at a place called Beck's Hill.

Now King Harold arose there to meet them
His face full of venom and hate,
And he said, "If you've come for Regatta,
You've got here just six weeks too late!"

Well at this William rose, cool and haughty
And he said, "Let's have none of your cheek.
And you'd best have your throne re-upholstered,
I'll be wanting to use it next week!"

When Harold heard this defiance
In rage he turned purple and blue
And he shouted some rude words in Saxon,
To which William replied, "And you."

It was a beautiful day for a battle
And the Normans set off with a will
And when both sides were duly assembled,
They tossed for the top of the hill.

Well King Harold, he won the advantage
And on hilltop he took his stand,
With his cads and his knaves all around him,
On his horse, with his hawk in his hand.

It was a beautiful day for a battle
And as soon as the whistle was blown
Both sides started banging each other
Until swineherds could hear them in Kent.

Battle of Hastings cont...

Well the Saxons had best line of forwards,
Well-armed with both buckler and sword.
But the Normans had best combinations,
So when half-time came, neither had scored.

So William he calls for his cohorts
And he says, "Let's pretend we're beat.
And when we get Saxons down on level,
We'll cut off their means of retreat."

So they ran, and Saxons ran after,
Just exactly as William had planned.
Leaving Harold alone on the hilltop,
On his horse, with his hawk in his hand.

When William had seen what had happened,
A bow and an arrow he drew.
Then he ran right up to Harold and shot him.
He were offsides, but what could they do?

Then the Normans turned 'round with a vengence,
Giving back both parry and thrust.
Soon the fight was all over but the shoutin'
And you couldn't see Saxon for dust.

And when they returned to the hilltop,
They found Harold so stately and grand.
Sitting there with an eye full of arrow,
On his horse, with his hawk in his hand.

Bedlam Boys

For to see Mad Tom of Bedlam
Ten thousand miles I'd travel
Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes
For to save her shoes from gravel.

Still I sing bonny boys, bonny mad boys,
Bedlam boys are bonny.
For they all go bare, and they live by the air,
And they want no drink nor money.

I went down to Satan's kitchen,
For to get me food one morning.
And there I saw souls piping hot,
All on the spit a-turning.
(CHORUS)
Me staff has murthered giants,
And me bag a long knife carries.
For to cut mince pies from children's thighs,
With which to feed the fairies.
(CHORUS)
By the Queen of Air and Darkness
I summoned am to Tourney.
Three leagues beyond the wild worlds end,
Me thinks it is no journey.
(CHORUS)
The spirits white as lighting,
Would on me travels guide me.
The moon would shake, and the stars would quake,
Whenever they espied me.
(CHORUS)
And when that I have murthered,
The man in the moon to a powder,
His staff I'll break and his doct I'll shake,
And there'll howl no demon louder.
(CHORUS)
For to see Mad Tom of Bedlam,
Ten thousand miles I'd travel.
Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes,
for to save her shoes from gravel.

Beermaids in Valhalla
A G
Oh you grim reaper, don't come for me
G
I'm off to the heavens with bad company
A G
To a great hall with timbers that sparkle and shine
A E
With endless entertainment, with food, beer, and wine

I'm off with my girlfriends dressed totally in steel
We'll fly down to battle on your battlefield
To a field full of slaughter we'll plunder and pick;
All that death and destruction, I don't even get sick!

And when we come back we'll be high as can be
With a whole herd of Vikings; Well how can this be?
'Cause we are the Valkyries, goddess of the skies
And if you want to be my boyfriend then you've gotta die
G D
With swords held high you can hear us cry.
Am E
Beermaids in Valhalla, Beermaids in Valhalla, Beermaids in Valhalla-YoHo

To be a beermaid in Valhalla now that would be swell
Lot's of eating, lots of drinking, beats the pants off of hell
Those big guys with muscles and necks really thick
But the best part about it, they're the ones we hand pick.

All those warriors with muscles that ripple when they drink.
Great kings and princes, they don't have to think.
We don't choose for valor, like you have been told;
We just choose the cute ones that have lots of gold.
CHORUS
Now we never get tired, we play and we drink
We drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink.
Sometimes we wrestle, and rip off our clothes
I pull on your hair and you bloody my nose.

We play games like stickball and run through the halls
We knock people over, get kicked in the...
Broken arms, broken shoulders, broken legs, broken heads
Broken ears, broken toes; it doesn't matter, we're dead.
CHORUS
Now my best guy is Thor, and he's really big.
He drinks like a fish, and he eats like a pig
When he belches the timbers all tremble and shake,
And when he has gas, it's like an earthquake.
CHORUS
Now don't tell me about heaven and the afterlife.
No harpist on the clouds, no savior's wife,
Won't bow down to Buddha, Ishmael or Allah.
I've got my salvation as a beermaid in Valhalla.
CHORUS

Bird of Gold

Words & music by Heather Rose Jones

C G Am C Dm F C
Cold the mist lies, but bold the sun rises, older than me is the dawn,
C G Am C Dm F C
Spring in his eyes the king of birds tries his wings on the weight of a song.
C G Am E
High he hangs singing, flying and bringing life, love and laughter and signs of spring.
E E7 Am Dm E7 Am G
I asked the bird of gold, why was I never told like day and springtime that I could grow old?

Bold the sun rises and gold the land lies, I'm old as the day and my song.
Summer replies to the sun bird's sweet cries as he summons the coming of dawn.
Bright with the day begun, shining and ever young, I see the bird of gold rise in the sun.
Time like the tree of old ripens its fruit to gold, I pluck more days than I find I can hold.

Gold the land lies but behold the grey skies, I'm told that my time is half gone.
Fall still denies what the call of the ice tells us all with its silvery song.
By the king's leafy hall high trees in living walls rise to contend with ice as it falls.
Bright leaves of red and gold fight with the cloudy cold, I watch the wheel of time as it rolls.

Behold the grey skies as cold the mist lies, I'm old and may die with the dawn.
Winter wind flies, the king of birds hides and thinks of when snows will be gone.
Nigh comes the spring and then I'll hear him singing and find me new hope in his rising again.
Life is a tale told by the bright bird of gold lighting our way through the night and the cold.

Cold the mist lies but bold the sun rises, older than me is the dawn.
Spring in his eyes, the king of birds tries his wings on the weight of my song.

The Blackbird

I am a young sailor, my story's sad,
Oh once I was carefree and a brave sailor lad,
I courted a lassie by night and by day,
Oh, but now she has left me and sailed far away.

Chorus: Oh, if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing,
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in,
And in the top rigging I would there build my nest,
And I'd flutter my wings over her lily white breast.

Or, if I was a scholar and could handle the pen,
One secret love letter to my true love I'd send
And tell of my sorrow, my grief, and my pain,
Since she's gone and left me and yon floaty glen.

Chorus

I sailed over the ocean, my fortune to seek,
Though I miss her caress and her kiss on my cheek,
I returned and I told her my love was still warm,
But she turned away lightly and great was her scorn.

Chorus

I offered to take her to Donny Brue fair,
And to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair,
I offered to marry and to stay by her side,
But she says in the morning she sails with the tide.

Chorus

My parents they chide me, oh they will not agree,
Saying that me and my false love's marriage should never be,
Oh but let them deprive me, oh, let them do what they will,
While there's breath in my body, she's the one that I love still.

Chorus

Bloody Hand of O'Donnel

Am Dm Am
Many a man has sailed the Seas since days of ancient lore.
Dm Am E Am
And few have never rued the day they ventured from the shore.
Am Dm Am
For days on end one crew had sought through wave, and storm, and squall,
Dm Am E
Till finally they reached their goal: the shores of Donegal.
Dm Am
The land was fair; a greedy heart awoke in every man.
Dm Am E Am
Said one, "The first to touch the shore is leader of our clan."

And at that cry, the crew swarmed off till
but a single man,
Remained upon the empty deck
to watch that frenzied band.

And as they swarmed toward the shore,
the only man on board,
Half smiling at the eager mob drew
out his fearsome sword.

The sun flashed off that blade so grim
O'Donnel swept it down.
His left hand lay upon the deck,
He tossed it to the ground.

The crew recoiled in shock when they
first saw upon the sand,
The pool of blood which spurted from
O'Donnel's severed hand.

And so the man who stayed on deck was
first to touch the shore,
O'Donnel's clan ruled Donegal
for generations more.

Aye, many a man has sailed the Seas
and not found what he sought.
But few would pay a price so dear, for what O'Donnel bought.

The Bold Marauder

Chorus: For it's hi ho hey, I am the bold marauder.
For it's hi ho hey, I am the white destroyer.

For I will show ye silver and gold and I will show you treasure,
And I will show ye thunder and steel and I will be your teacher,
And I will show ye grotto and cave and sacrifical altar
And I will show ye blood on the stone and I will be your mentor
And night will be your darling and fear will be your mate.

Chorus

For I will take ye up by the hand and head ye to the hunter,
And I will take a Fury to wife and I will be your father,
And we will go to ravage and kill and we will go to plunder
And we will wave a widowing flag and I will be you mother,
And Christ will be your darling and ill will be your fate.

Chorus

For we will spoil the winds on high and we will spoil the river,
And we will burn the grain in the fields and I will your lover,
And we will press in helmet and shield and dip our tongues i slaughter,
And we will sing a warrior's song and lift the praise of murder,
And Death will be your darling and fear will be your mate.

Chorus

The Bonny Banks of the Vergio

Three sisters walked out one fine day,
Oh, the lee and the lonely Oh!
They met a robber on the way,
by the bonny, bonny banks of the Vergio.

He took the first one by the hand,
Oh, the lee and ...
He whipped her around and made her stand
by the bonny, ...

"Now will ye be a robber's wife?"
"Or will ye die by my pen knife,

"Oh, I'll not be a robber's wife,"
"I'd rather die by your penknife,

He then took out his small penknife,
And there he took her own dear life

He took the second one by the hand,
He whipped her around, and made her stand

"Now, will ye be a robber's wife?"
"Or will ye die by my penknife,

"Oh, I'll not be a robbers wife,"
"I'd rather die by your penknife,

He then took out his small penknife,
And there he took her own dear life,

He took the third one by the hand,
He whipped her around and made her stand,

"Now will ye be a robber's wife?"
"Or will ye die by my penknife

"Oh, I'll not be a robbers wife,"
"But I'll not die by your penknife,

"Though you have killed my sisters dear,"
"You'd not have done that if my brother was here,

"Pray, what does your brother do?"
"Why, he's out robbin' just like you,

"Oh, dear God, what have I done?"
"I've murdered my sisters, all but one,

He then took out his small penknife,
"Oh, the lee, and the lonely Oh".
And there he took his own dear life,
by the bonny, bonny banks of the Vergio.

Borderlands
The young man sat above the town
in the glow of the setting sun
With his head held cradled in his hands
his back against a stone.

Saying, "Why have I so little time
in this wretched place to stand,
When I can't take the girl I love,
back home to the Borderland-O

For I watch her dance upon the hill
and I live but for her song.
And she never dreamed I waited here
so silent and so long.

But her golden hair to strike me down,
and her brown eyes strike me blind.
And the thought I'll ne'er see her again
is torturin' my mind-O

The maid walked down the hill nearby
toward home and the end of day.
And she caught the sound of the young man's words
and she stopped upon her way.

And no voice had she ever heard so sweet
as the voice of the stranger lad.
And she stood there as if turned to stone
and listened from the shadows.

But the young man's words reached out to her
where she stood upon the lee.
And they built her ships upon the clouds
and castles on the sea.

And as he spoke her eyes did flash
and burn as with a flame.
And the maid stepped out around the stone,
as if he'd called her name-O

"Pray lament no more," she said,
her voice like the gentle sea.
"For I have heard your every word
and I know them meant for me.

And if you speak in truth, my lad,
and you love me as you say.
There can be no reason we must part,
Not even for a day-O.

The young man started at her words,
and he stood up, straight and tall.
Said,"I never meant for you to hear me
speak this way at all.

Borderlands (cont.)

For you can never have me love,
it's useless to deceive.
For I must return to the Borderlands
Oh, I am bound to leave you."

"I care not where you're bound my lad,
I care not where you're from.
For the one thing that I'm certain 'tis
this maiden's heart you've won.

So take me with you where you must,
I freely go your way.
And I will lie here in your arms,
to greet the light of Day-O

Tenderly he laid her down,
and next to her did lie.
The wind that whispered through the trees
was sweet as a lullaby.

And bending down he folded her
into his soft embrace.
With a touch he sent her fast asleep
with a smile upon her face-O.

"Sleep content my love," he said,
"I cannot cause you pain.
For the dawn will find me far away
and I won't be back again.

And though I'd take you if I could,
I am not what I seem.
So forget we ever tarried here,
and wake, as from a dream-O

For I am not of your world, my love
I come from another time.
And I crossed here from the Borderlands
between your world and mine.

And 'twas there that I first heard your voice,
and longed for your face to see.
And I gathered all the Powers I had,
and stepped out on your lee-O.

And you know I watched you quietly
as you danced upon the hill.
And though I dared not call to you,
I loved you stronger still.

But no longer do I have the power,
no longer can I stay.
And I'll be pulled back into my time
by the Dawning of the Day-O.

Borderlands (cont.)

But I will be your pillow
Where'ere your head will lie.
And I'll be the star you can only catch
in the corner of your eye.

And I'll be the sound of laughter
in the first low flower o'dawn.
And I'll be the touch to brush your cheek,
and wake you in the morning."

Saying this he bended low
and he kissed her once good-bye.
And as the dawn broke on the hill,
he vanished like a sigh.

And the maid she opened up her eyes,
and smiled up through the trees.
For as she listened she could almost hear,
his voice upon the breeze-O.

"I know you hear me love," she spoke,
as she lay on the grassy bed.
"For I felt your touch and I felt your kiss,
and I heard the words you said.

But the next time that our worlds collide
cannot be very far.
And I'll be waiting then to take your hand,
and dance among the stars-O."

Brandywine

D A
Make it one for Washington and all his gallant men.
D G A
And one for the girl that once was mine.
D A
make it one for the Darling boy I'll never see again.
D G A D
And don't forget the Blacksmith of Brandywine.

D G D A
While on the road to Brandywine it was a sight to see,
D G D G
A Giant of a man, with a hammer in his hand
D A D
Beneath an old oak tree.

And all around him on the ground in fatal disarray,
A score of men who'll never fight again
Nor travel on the King's Highway.
We dug a grave and covered him o'er and sadly wept a tear,
Then past the day riding on our way
Till we met with a musketeer.
From him we learned the story of a brave and angry man,
Who one day undertook a British Company
With a hammer in his hand

Make it one for Washington and all his gallant men.
And one for the girl that once was mine.
Make it one for the Darling boy I'll never see again.
And don't forget the Blacksmith of Brandywine.

In Chester Town there live a man away from the cannons roar,
Of manner mild with woman and child
No man could ever love more.
But the Tories spoke of plot one day to waylay Washington,
So he left his home and his family alone
To the general he did run.
His errand run done he journeyed home but sorrow there he found,
His wife and son by British gun
Lay still in the cold hard ground.
So the Blacksmith reached for a heavy sledge and he took a practice swing.
And clear to the line of Brandywine,
You could hear that hammer sing.

Make it one for Washington and all his gallant men.
And one for the girl that once was mine.
Make it one for the Darling boy I'll never see again.
And don't forget the Blacksmith of Brandywine. (repeat)

Brave and Bonny Host
by Edward Zifram, 1980 by Roger Shell

Em C Bm
Oh, see how the mist lies over the field,
Em G D
The morning of battle is come.
Em G D B7
Soft in the glen there's the muffled sound of men,
Em C D Em
And the murmur of a battle drum
G D
Fill our cups with ale or wine or beer,
G B7
We will stand together never fear.
Em G D B7
And we'll drink down a toast to the brave and bonny host,
Em C D Em
That fights for the banner of An Tir.

Now the light of the sun spreads over the hill
It scatters the mist from the green.
And there in the clear come the warriors of An Tir,
Their black and golden banner can be seen.
CHORUS
Oh, see them advance as a wall of steel,
Each man with his sword and his shield.
Now they charge with a cheer, for the honor of An Tir,
To win or to die upon the field.
CHORUS
By many a fire there's a lady fair,
Who waits for her love to return.
Her needle's in her threads, or she's baking of the breads,
And dreaming of the touch for which she yearns.
CHORUS
To the crest of the hill fight the brave and the bold,
Where the slain thickly lie on the field.
Now, alone in the clear, stand the warriors of An Tir,
And the foeman at last is forced to yield.
CHORUS
Oh , strike up your lutes, all ye minstrels,
Whose skill is renowned far and wide.
Come tell us again of the mighty band of men
Who carried the battle for our side.
CHORUS

Burden of the Crown
Words & Music by Baldwin of Erebor
copyright 1979 by Derek Foster
D Bm G A
The battlefield is silent, the shadows growing long.
D Bm Em D
Though I may view the sunset, I'll not live to see the dawn.
D G Bm G A
The trees have ceased to rustle, the birds no longer sing.
D G D G D
All nature seems to wonder at the passing of a King.

And now you stand before me, your Father's flesh and blood.
Begotten of my sinews on the woman that I loved.
So difficult the birthing, the mother died that day.
And now you stand before me to bear my Crown away

The hour is fast approaching when you come into your own
When you take the ring and scepter and sit upon the throne.
Before that fatal hour, when we each must meet our fate.
Pray gaze upon the Royal Crown, and marvel at its weight.

This cap of burnished metal, is the symbol of our land.
Supporting all we cherish, the dreams for which we stand.
The weight you'll find is nothing, if you hold it in your palm.
The burden of the Crown begins, the day you put it on.

See how the jewels sparkle, as you gaze at it again.
Each facet is a subject, whose rights you must defend.
Every point of light a burden you must shoulder with your own.
And mighty is the burden of the man upon the Throne.

The day is nearly ended my limbs are growing cold
I can feel the angels waiting to receive my passing soul.
Keep well for me my Kingdom, when my memory is dead.
And forgive me for the burden I place upon your head.

Call to Battle
Danpira Snowsong

Hear the call from hill to home,
come the foreign hoards.
'Gainst the which we gather
to go now with your lords.

Rally now, raise the call, bring Oertha fame.
Mighty warriors may ye give us victory again.

From all corners far and near,
venture to the fray.
Brave Oerthan bands to the
Battle far away.
(CHORUS)
Waiting in your Wintry homes,
wives and loved ones dear.
Hold onto the hope that your
victory songs they'll hear.
(CHORUS)
Now amass the Northern might,
names of high regard,
Winters gate, and Earngyld,
Eskalya, Selveirgard.
(CHORUS)
Swirling wind-borne snow secures
from the foeman's sight.
Softly moving shadows and
Steel-struck glint of light.
(CHORUS)
Quickly run the quailing foes,
quarter give ye none.
Many will be mourned when the
massacre is done.
(CHORUS)
Back across the bleak white land,
battle-weary friends.
Hasten to the Haven of hearth and home again.
(CHORUS)

Captain Jack and the Mermaid
Meg Davis, on "Captain Jack and the Mermaid
Captain Jack was a young man when he went to sea.
All the young ladies go and kiss him good-bye
He was barely a child of twenty and three.
Go tell him young ladies, go and tell him for me
He can marry the mermaid that lives in the sea

Well, I loved Captain Jack and his bride I would be,
We were soon to be wedded my Jackie and me.

But his ship it had needed a Captain one day,
He took charge of the rigging and soon sailed away.

When 3 years had passed and his ship had returned,
I went down to the sea for the man I had earned.

But my Jack was not there when I went to see
And this is the tale the crew told to me.

It was almost eight bells and Jack had the watch.
He was finning and tailing the fish he had caught.
When out of the sea there arose such a tune,
As he had not heard by the light of the moon.
He looked out to the waters and what saw he there,
But a beautiful maiden with gold in her hair.
She had gowns made of seaweed and a crown on her head,
As he stared at the mermaid she quietly said,

"I have followed your ship for many a mile,
One day the sea reflected your smile.
And I'll give you my Kingdom eternally,
If you'll marry this mermaid that lives in the sea."

Well, Jack was in love with the beautiful girl,
And he jumped o'er the side, in the water he swirled.
She then took his arm and she led him away,
And we searched all those waters till dawn the next day.
We tolled the bell loud, we tolled the bell long.
And the looks on our faces were saddened and drawn.
When out of the sea, Jackie rose like a King,
And this is the message he begged us to bring.

"I have long loved a lady who lives on the land.
But my life with the mermaid is ever so grand.
Won't you go to my lady and ask her for me,
May I marry this mermaid who lives in the sea."

And that is the story I heard from the crew.
My tears they were many, my choices were few.
I went down to the sea, a ship's bell to ring.
And this is the song that I was heard to sing.

Captain Jack was a young man when he went to sea.
All the young ladies go and kiss him good-bye
He was barely a child of twenty and three.
Go tell him young ladies, go and tell him for me
He can marry the mermaid that lives in the sea

The Champion

The Champion he is brave, and the Champion he is bold.
He fights for the Lady's honor, and never for the gold.
He asks not the Lady for her hand for he could not be so bold.
That's not the way of a Champion, or so I have been told.

The Champion fights for the Lady, for that's his only way.
He asks not for the Lady's love, just that she smile his way.
But deep inside his lonely heart he prays on day by day.
That the Lady loves him as he loves she, and bids the Champion stay.
(CHORUS)
But the Champion knows as he turns to grey, there will be a younger man.
Who'll enter in the Lady's life and ask her for her hand.
She'll ask the Champion, "My friend, would you mind if I wed this man?"
He'll avert his eyes, and say, "Your happiness is all that I demand."
(CHORUS)
So the Champion stands off to the side, and never says a word.
And though inside he loves her so, his heart is never heard.
So the Champion resigns himself to a love that can't be cured.
As the Lady takes herself a Lord, the Champions eyes are blurred.
(CHORUS)

Chastity Belt

Oh say, gentle maiden, may I be your lover.
Condemn me no longer to mourn and to weep.
Struck down like a hart, I lie wounded and fainting.
So let down your drawbridge, I'll enter your keep.

Enter your keep, nane, nane
Enter your keep, nane, nane
Let down your drawbridge, I'll enter your keep.

Alas, gentle errant, I am not a maiden.
I'm married to Sir Oswald, the cunning old Celt.
He's gone to the wars for a twelve-month or longer,
and taken the key to my chastity belt.

Fear not, gentle maiden, for I know a locksmith.
To his fort we will go, on his door we will knock.
And try to avail us of a specialized knowledge,
and see if he's able to unpick the lock.
(Chorus)
Alas, Sir and Madam, to help I'm unable.
My technical knowledge is of no avail.
I can't find the secret to your combination,
the cunning old bastard has fitted a Yale.

I'm back from the wars with sad news of disaster,
A terrible mishap I have to confide.
As my ship was passing the straits of Gibraltar,
I carelessly dropped the key over the side.

Alas and alack, I am locked up forever,
When upsteps a pageboy says, "Leave it to me!
If you will allow me to enter your chamber,
I'll open it up with my duplicate key!"
(Chorus)

The Chill Eastern Winds
Words & Music by Andy Stewart (Silly Wizard - "Glint of Silver")

C Em F C
Prepare you, sweet flowers, for winter advances.
Em F C
And drink well the sunlight that touches your form.
Em F C
Draw strength from the earth and repay her with beauty
Em F C
For the dark days are coming, and they'll do you harm

C F Dm7 G Am
When the chill Eastern winds replace summer breezes,
C Em F C
And the long summer days are remembered no more.
F Dm7 G Am
Then you'll know how it feels when a woman's love changes,
C Em F C
When at last she has told you she loves you no more.

I saw her today, when she walked with her new love,
In all the fine places that we'd walked before.
They kissed by the rocks where she told me she loved me,
And soon she'll be using those same words once more.
CHORUS
There's none that could blame me for wanting her beauty,
But it lies like a snowflake in the hands of a child.
When the warmth of my love tried to reach out and hold her,
It's then she was gone, to prove she's still wild.
CHORUS
Prepare you, sweet flowers, for winter advances.
And drink well the sunlight that touches your form.
Draw strength from the earth and repay her with beauty
For the dark days are coming, and they'll do you harm.
CHORUS

Chivalry, Honor, and Love
Wander Riordan

Am E
Let me win roses to twine in your hair

A scepter to place in your hand.

You are the one I delight in the most
Dm G Am
My lady of all in this land
Am E Am
My lady of all in this land

The grace of a sibling, the strength of a friend
The love that a consort may bring
Measures intention more forceful than blows
And honor above everything,
And honor above everything.

Lady thy favor so fires my heart,
Thy countenance doth me inspire
I will accomplish whatever thou wilt,
Thy happiness all my desire,
Thy happiness all my desire.

My will is thy honor displayed before all,
And courtesy, chivalry's pride.
Thought in thy action and joy in thy glance,
And a place at the end by thy side,
And a place at the end by thy side.

My sword to thy service, my skill to thy grace,
That delight in the midst of the fray.
Temper with mercy my skill and my speed,
Thy presence my strength and my stay,
Thy presence my strength and my stay.

My portion is stillness, attention, and hope.
To watch, and to wait, and to ward.
Solace in silence, or succor in mirth,
The honor you do my reward,
The honor you do my reward.

No greater favor could any achieve,
No striving show brighter or prove
Fair I now forth with your work on my sleeve,
For chivalry, honor, and love,
For chivalry, honor, and love.

Salute then the sovereign, the Crown, and the State,
Thy worthy opponent and me
Both summer and winter may pass and return,
But thy lady I always will be,
But thy lady I always will be.

I will win roses to twine in your hair,
A scepter to place in your hand
For all that you have gifted me this small return,
My princess you'll be in this land,
My princess you'll be in this land.

Christmas Day in the Morning
Paul Espinoza (Golden Bough - Winter's Dance)

A E D
Children's laughter in the air, the smell of pine is everywhere,
E D A
All the love that we can share, on Christmas Day in the morning.

Thank the Lord and Lady then, for that warm peace we feel within,
When we gather once again on Christmas Day in the morning.

The wonder of the Virgin birth, the child who brought us love and mirth,
Giving all of his souls worth on Christmas Day in the morning.

Yet so many years before, we knew the wonders still untold,
The lady guiding us to shore on Christmas Day in the morning.

With the ancient ones give voice, dance together is our choice,
Share the mysteries, rejoice, on Christmas Day in the morning.

The awe the standing stones impart, awakening a hidden part,
Longing deep within our hearts, on Christmas Day in the morning.

Children's laughter in the air, the smell of pine is everywhere,
All the love that we can share, on Christmas Day in the morning.

Cloudy Day
Words by Gwion ap Bleiddyn o Lanfair,
Yseult of Broceliande, Ivar Hakonarsson sung to the tune of Gaudete

Chorus: Cloudy day, cloudy day
It's raining in Adiantum once again, cloudy day.
Cloudy day, cloudy day
It's raining in Adiantum once again, cloudy day.

May Crown Tourney's often damp, even slightly soggy,
A.S. twenty-five was worse, positively boggy.

Chorus

Alaric who's getting wet, waiting in procession,
Prays to all the gods he know for rustproof intercession.

Chorus

Quoth the fool in motley clad, scarce his mirth containing,
"here's the king and there's a cloud, both of them are reigning."

Chorus

Once at Egil's there was sun, and we all were singing,
Turned around, the rain came down, and our clothes were wringing.

Chorus

Archers glare and shake their fists as they run for shelter,
Stretching bowstrings make their shots go all helter skelter.

Chorus

Torgul's armor all did rust and his weapons moulder,
Could this be the reason why the dogmeat's getting bolder?

Chorus

Heralds cry, "Lay on, my lords," at the start of battle,
When skies began to hail, making helmets rattle.

Chorus

On the field a priest appears, shouting, "Stop your slaughter!
On your knees and humbly pray, God is making water."

Chorus

An Sceal (Contrari-Danse) Heather Alexander

Picture if you will, the rolling hills of Ireland, and one hill in particular. It is afternoon on Midsummer's Day. The sun is shining straight down on this hill, which happens to be a faerie hill, otherwise known as a Cunach ca ne Sidhe. And if you look really closely you'll see a tiny band of faeries dancing in a ring on the top of the hill. You can hear their laughter on the wind, and the tinkling of the miniature bells that they wear on their toe shoes. With sparkling tutu's bouncing gently up and down, they leap and twirl with a grace that is truly a sight for the modern, mortal eye to behold. The sound of their merriment softly drifts for miles through the countryside- nuzzling between every leaf and under every rock.
Meanwhile, down in the deep, dank, depths of the Cunach ca ne Sidhe are the goblins. And they hear the faeries up there having all that fun and they get very jealous and crabby, as goblins are wont to do.
"I don't see why they should have all the fun!" says one little goblin. "We should go up there and dance too."
"Duh, but I don't know how to dance," says a big dumpy goblin.
"Oh- it's real easy. All you do is, uh, jump up and down, and, uh, bug your eyes out. Yeah!"
"Oh, okay. I can do that. That's fun."
So they pull on their cleats, adjust their hard-hats, and set their sunglasses firmly on their little goblin noses, 'cause they hate the sun. And march themselves straight up to the top of the Cunach ca ne Sidhe. The little goblin brings himself up to his full height, and announces in his most serious voice:
"Ah, 'scuse us, oh Miss Faerie Queen, ma'am, ah, we want to dance with you."
The queen turns around smoothly, and her eyes grow wide.
"You? Dance with-us? You must be kidding!"
"Oh no ma'am, we really mean it."
Arching a delicate eyebrow, the queen smiles wryly.
"Very well. Show us how you dance, and we will see."
"Oh boy, we get to dance."
So forming a square circle, the goblins begin their dance. They jump up and down, bug their eyes out, and spin on their heads, which completely shocks the faeries, and some of them even titter derisively.
After the Faerie hill settles lower into the ground, the little goblin looks up and blinks, "Well, whad'ya think?"
"Aha. Let me put it succinctly. Not! You obviously have no clue! This is how dancing is done."
With a spiraling flourish the queen rises up on toe point, dancing like apple blossoms in the spring wind. While the rest of the faeries giggle in approval.
"Oh, what a totally lame dance." So, the goblins start stomping around again. The faeries twirl, and the goblins stomp, and the faeries spin, and the goblins hop, and the faeries leap, and the goblins flop, and the faeries swirl, and the goblins clomp. Until, after a while, the faeries grow tired, and their steps start to stomp, while the goblins are just warming up, so their hops are now leaps. And the two dances slowly merge and blend, until at last, chaos is choreography. And that, my friend, is the Contrari-Danse.

The Cruel Mother
There was a lady, lived in York
Ah, the lee and lonee
She fell in love with her father's clerk
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

She loved him up, she loved him down
Ah, the lee and lonee
She loved him till he filled her arms
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

She leaned her back against an oak
all alone and lonely
First it bent and then it broke
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

She leaned her back against a thorn
All alone and lonely
And there she had two fine babes born
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

She laid those babes under a marble stone
All alone and lonely
And then she turned as a Fair maid home
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

One day while sittin' in her fathers hall
All alone and lonely
She saw two babes a'playing at ball
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

Oh babes, oh babes if you were mine
All alone and lonely
I'd dress you up in scarlet fine
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

Oh Mother, oh Mother we once were yours
Ah, the lee and lonee
But scarlet was our own hearts' blood
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

Oh Mother, oh Mother it's hell for you
All alone and lonely
Oh babes, oh babes it's heaven for you
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

There was a lady lived in York
All alone and lonely
She had fallen in love with her fathers clerk
Down by the Greenwood sidee-O

The Cruel Sister
There lived a Lady by the North Sea Shore.
Two daughters were the babes she bore.
One grew as fair, as in the sun,
So coal dark grew the elder one.

A knight came riding to the Lady's door,
He'd traveled far to be their wooer.
He courted one with gloves and rings,
but the other he loved above all things.

"Oh sister, sister won't you walk with me,
to see the ships sail o'er the sea?"
And as they walked the windy shore,
The dark girl pushed her sister o'er.

Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam,
Crying, "Sister reach to me your hand.
Oh sister, sister please let me live,
And all that's mine, I'll surely give."

"It's your own true love, that I want and more,
that thou shalt never come ashore."
And as she floated like a swan,
the salt sea bore her body on.

Two minstrels walking by the windy strand
they saw her body float to land.
They made a harp of her breastbone,
Who’s sound would melt a heart of stone.

They took 3 strands of her yellow hair,
and with them strung this harp so rare.
They took the harp to her father’s hall,
There to play before them all.

But when they sat that harp upon a stone,
it began to play alone.
The first string sang, a doleful sound,
"The Bride, her younger sister drowned."

The second string when this they tried,
"In terror sits the black-haired bride."
The third string sang beneath their bow.
"And now her tears will surely flow."

There lived a Lady by the North Sea Shore.
Two daughters were the babes she bore.
One grew as fair, as in the sun.
So coal dark grew the elder one.

The Dimming of the Day

G D
This old house is falling down around my ears
C G D
I'm drowning in a river of tears
G D
When all my will is gone you hold me sway
C G D G
I need you at the dimming of the day

D A
You pull me like the moon pulls on the tide
D A D G C
You know just where I keep my better side

What days have come to keep us far apart
A broken promise or a broken heart
Now all the bonnie birds have wheeled away
I need you at the dimming of the day

Come the night you're only what I want
Come the night you could be my confidant

I see you on the street in company
Why don't you come and ease your mind with me
I'm living for the night we steal away
I need you at the dimming of the day
I need you at the dimming of the day.

Don Quixote
Gordon Lightfoot
Through the woodland, Through the valley
Comes a horseman wild and free.
Tilting at the windmills passing
Who can the brave young horseman be?

He is wild but he is mellow.
He is strong but he is weak.
He is cruel but he is gentle.
He is wise but he is meek

Reaching for his saddlebag, he takes a batter book into his hand.
And standing like a preacher bold, He shouts to the ocean from the shore,
'Till he can shout no more.

I have come o'er moor and mountain
Like a hawk upon the wing.
I was once a shining knight
Who was the guardian of a King.
I have searched the whole world over,
Looking for a place to sleep.
I have seen the strong survive and
I have seen the lean grow weak.
See the children of the Earth who wake to find the table there.
See the gentry in the country, riding out to take the air.

Reaching for his saddle bag, he takes a rusty sword into his hand.
Then striking up a knightly pose, he shouts across the ocean to the shore,
'Till he can shout no more.

See the man who tips the needles,
See the man who buys and sells.
See the man who puts the collar
On the ones who dare not tell.
See the jailer with his key who
Locks away all trace of sin.
See the judge upon the bench who
Tries the case as best he can.
See the drunkard in the tavern
Spending gold to make ends meet.
See the youth in ghetto black
Condemned to life upon the street.

Reaching for his saddle bag, he takes a tarnished cross into his hands.
Then in a blaze of tangled hoofs he gallops off across the dust plain,
In vain to search again.
But no one will hear....
Through the woodland, Through the valley
Comes a horseman wild and free.
Tilting at the windmills passing
Who can the brave young horseman be?

Dos Beers
Sung to the tune "Doe a Deer"
Dos, a beer, a Mexican beer
Ray, the guy who buys me beer
Me, the guy he buys beer for
Fa, a long way to the store
So, I think I'll have a beer
La, la la la la la la
Te, hell no, I want a beer

(repeats)

Dram for the Piper
Danny Carnahan & Robin Petrie on "Journeys of the Heart"
(capo 2)
G D G D G
Welcome in my thirsty fellows, hang your hat inside the door
D G D G
If we're only packed to bursting, then there's surely room for more
D G D G
We'll deny the cold of winter, we'll have only song and cheer
D G Em A D
As we gather here together, in the threshold of the year

D G
Well, here's a dram to warm the piper
D G
And here's a dram to warm the hall
D G
Here's a dram to raise the rafters
Em A D
And here's a long life to you all.

Here we've tied the knot as lovers
Here we've raised the toast as friends
Here we've passed along from hand to hand
In the dance that never ends
We'll forget about tomorrow
We're protected from it here
As we drink our fill together
From the tankard of the year
CHORUS
Crack the seal off of the bottle
Light the fire beneath the still
Let it soak us to the elbows
As we mitigate our ills
Oh the whiskey is forgiving
It will wash the conscience clear
As we all sink back together
From the cradle of the year.
CHORUS X 2
CHORUS (a capella)

Dreary Dream

Oh, I have dreamed a dreary dream,
Oh, who is free of sorrow.
Oh, my love was dead on a leafy bed,
beside the river Yarrow.
Oh, my love was dead on a leafy bed,
beside the river Yarrow.

And many men did come and go,
and all were armed with knives.
They've slain, they've slain my own dear swain
deprived him of his life.
They've slain, they've slain my own dear swain
deprived him of his life.

It's I will read your dreary dream,
It's I will tell your sorrow.
It's I will tell you that your love
is dead beside the Yarrow.
It's I will tell you that your love
is dead beside the Yarrow.

The Drunken Eskalyan

What shall we do with the drunken Eskalyan?
What shall we do with the drunken Eskalyan?
What shall we do with the drunken Eskalyan?
Early in the morning.

Weigh-ho and raise our glasses, (3 times)
Early in the morning.

Keep him off the carpets 'till he gets sober,
Put him at the table without a trencher,
Send him for a swim in Lake Eklutna,

Put him in a melee without his helmet,
Shave his belly with a rusty broadsword,
Make him sing at the bardic circle,

Tie him to a tree, so the skeeters can have him,
Tuck him into bed without a maiden,
Keep him from the ale so we can have it,

Duct Tape Madrigal

Duct tape, duct tape, oh where is my duct tape.
My pavillon is leaking, my old shield is cracked.
My poor heart is broken, I'll fix it with duct tape.
Fix it with duct tape until you come back.

Ribbons and safety pins and bias tape;
I've tried every single color, each variety and every shape.
But only duct tape can bind you to me,
Oh where is my duct tape, Oh where can it be.

Duct tape is better than glue,
It fixes stuff just like new.
Be prepared throughout your life,
Keep a roll beneath your pillow at night.

Dun Cow Inn (MacIntyre)
Some friends and I in a public house
Were playing dominoes one night
When into the room a fireman came
His face all chalky white.

"What's up," says Brown, "Have you seen a ghost,
Have you seen me Aunt Myria?"
"Oh, your Aunt Myria be buggered," says he,
"The bleedin' pub's on fire!"

"Oh, well," says Brown, "What a bit of luck.
"Everybody follow me. It's down to the cellar
"If the fire's not there,
"Then we'll have a grand ol' spree."

So we all went down, after good ol' Brown
And the booze we could not miss
And we hadn't been there ten minutes or more
'till we were all quite like this...

And there was Brown, upside-down
Drinking up the whiskey from the floor
"Booze, booze!" the firemen cried
As they came knocking at the door.

"Well, don't let 'em in 'till it's all drunk up"
Somebody shouted "MacIntyre!" "MACINTYRE"
And we all got blue blind paralytic drunk
When the Ol' Dun Cow caught fire.

Well, Smith went over to the port wine tub,
Gave it just a few hard knocks
Started taking off his pantaloons
Likewise his shoes and socks.

"Oh no," says Brown, "That ain't allowed,
"You can't do that thing here!
"Don't go washing your trotters (trousers) in the port win tub
"When we've got some Guinness's (Budweiser) beer."

"Well, don't let 'em in 'till it's all drunk up"
Somebody shouted "MacIntyre!" "MACINTYRE"
And we all got blue blind paralytic drunk
When the Ol' Dun Cow caught fire.

Well, then there came a mighty crash
Half the bloody roof caved in
We were drowned in the fireman's hose
'Till we were almost sober!

So we got some tacks and some old wet sacks
And tacked ourselves inside
And we sat there getting bleary eyed drunk
When the Ol' Dun Cow got fried.

The Dutchman

The Dutchman's not the kind of man
to keep his thumb jammed in the dam
that holds his dreams in
But that's a secret only Margaret knows.
When Amsterdam is golden in the morning
Margaret brings him breakfast
She believes him
He thinks the tulips bloom beneath the snow
He's mad as he can be, nut Margaret only sees that sometimes
Sometimes she sees her unborn children in his eyes.

Let us go to the banks of the ocean
Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee
Long ago, I used to be a young man
And dear Margaret remembers that for me

The Dutchman still wears wooden shoes,
His cap and coat are patched with love
That Margaret sewed in,
Sometimes he thinks he's still in Rotterdam
He watches tugboats down canals
And calls out to them when he thinks he
Knows the captain
'Til Margaret comes to take him home again
Through unforgiving streets that trip him 'tho she holds his arm
Sometimes he thinks that he's alone and calls her name

Let us go to the banks of the ocean
Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee
Long ago, I used to be a young man
And dear Margaret remembers that for me

The windmills whirl the winter in
She winds his muffler tighter
They sit in the kitchen
Some tea with whiskey keeps away the dew
He sees he for a moment, call he name,
She makes the bed up
Humming some old love song
She learned the words when it was very new
He hums a line or two, they hum together in the night
The Dutchman falls asleep and Margaret blows the candle out.

Let us go to the banks of the ocean
Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee
Long ago, I used to be a young man
And dear Margaret remembers that for me

(Repeat)

Edi Beo
Edi Beo pu heven queen
Folkes frovre and engles blis,
Moder unwemmed and maiden clene
Swich in world non oper nis.
On pe hit is wel ep sene
Of all wimmen pu havest pet pris
Mi swete levedi, her mi bene
And reu of me zif pi wille is.

Pu asteze so pe daiz rewe
pe deled from pe deorke nights,
Of pe sprong a leome newe,
Pat al pis world haved ilizt.
Nis non maide of pine heowe,
Swo fair, so sschene, so rudi, swo bricht;
Swete levedi of me pu reowe,
And have merci of pin knight.

Spronge blostme of one rote,
Pe holi gost pe reste upon.
Pet wes for monkunnes bote
And heore soule to alesen for on.
Levedi milde, softe and swote,
Ic crie pe merci, ic am pi mon
Bope to honde and to fote,
On alle wise pat ic kon.

Pu ert eorpe to gode sede
On pe lizte pe heovene deuz,
Of pe sprong peo ide blede
Pe holi gost hire on pe seuz.
Pu gring us ut of kare of drede
Pat Even bitterliche us breuz,
Pu sschalt us in-to heovene lede,
Welle swete is pe ilke deuz.

Moder ful of pewes hende
Maide dreiz and wel itaucht
Ic em in pine live bende
And to pe is al mi draucht.
Pu me sschild ze from pe feonde
Ase pu ert freo, and wilt, and maucht,
Help me to mi leves ende,
And make me wid pin sone isauzt.

Edward the Bloody Bastard

Hail to the Prince of mighty Antir.
Hail to the Prince, ye peasants cheer.
While I sing of the name that all men fear,
Of Edward, the Bloody Bastard.

Prince Edward so mighty, rides all about
Looking so regal in robes so fine.
Jack, at the plow, first cheers then shouts,
(Aw, it's only) Edward, the Bloody Bastard.

See how he rides with his nose in the air,
and his wrist so limp, and his crown in his hand.
And the people will cringe, and they'll shout,
"Have a care," for it's Edward the Bloody Bastard.

Along walks the Prince, with a virgin on each arm.
I stops and says, "How could you Sir?"
He says, "Don't worry, they'll do no harm,
To Edward, the Bloody Bastard."
(CHORUS)
Jack, the husky smith, says, "Me daughters been violated."
In the background Edward tiptoes by.
"Tell me who he is, and I'll see him annihilated."
(and his loyal subjects cry) "'twas Edward, the Bloody Bastard.
(CHORUS)
At the edge of the battlefield, Edward stews.
He cannot spur his horse to war.
'Cause the spurs won't fit on the green tennis shoes,
of Edward, the Bloody Bastard.
(CHORUS)
In the midst of the battlefield, Edward stands,
with bagel in mouth and cup in hand.
So civilized a foeman! Who could stand,
'Gainst Edward, the Bloody Bastard.
(CHORUS)
Now let's toast to the Prince, for when he dies
he'll never fear it.
For the Angels will sing and their harps will play.
Though its really too bad, where he'll be he'll never hear it.
This Edward, the Bloody Bastard.

Eileen Aroon
Words Traditional
arr. Steve Slayton & Robin White
I know a bonnie fair, Eileen Aroon.
I know a cottage fair, Eileen Aroon.
Deep in the holly shade, I know a tender maid.
Flow or the hills, or the glade, Eileen Aroon.

Fate's been kind with thee, Eileen Aroon.
Kind upon kind with thee, Eileen Aroon.
I'd walk the world so wide, to win thee for my bride.
To always be at thy side, Eileen Aroon.

Who in the song so sweet, Eileen Aroon.
Who in the dawn so fleet, Eileen Aroon.
Dear her heart charms me, dear her heart laughter free.
Dearest her constancy, Eileen Aroon.

Were she no longer true, Eileen Aroon.
What would her lover do, Eileen Aroon.
Fly with a broken chain, far or the sounding main.
Never to love again, Eileen Aroon.

Elf Glade
Words & music by Meg Davis on "Captain Jack & the Mermaid"
CAPO 2
Am Em
Yes they're real. No they can't be
Am C
Yes they are, I've seen them walking
F C G
Out beyond the wooded garden
E Am
Through the townand through the valley.
Am Em
Yes they're real. No they can't be!
Am C
Yes they are - you are not hearing -
F C G
For I say I've seen them drinking
E Am
In the Tavern of the Moon.

F C G Am
Steel and mail and gilded crossbow,
Em Am
Feather of the ancient wind bird.
F C G Am
Wide as wonder, tall as starlight,
Em Am
Lords of earth and lords of fire,
G Am
Life the love that they desire,
Em Am
Lords of earth and lords of fire,
G E Am
Life the love that they desire.

Yes they're real. No they can't be.
Come with me and see what might be.
I'm afraid! O, you are childish,
Nothing kills that does not know ye!
CHORUS CHORDS

Come ye now. No I fear Thee.
Did I say that I would lead thee?
We have walked too far this night out beyond the firelight!
Come y now. No I fear Thee!
Come with me, for I will take ye
Dancing now with all my brothers -
I am Real! And like the others!
Yes, they're real "No!" you told me,
"Yes" I said, you should believe me.
Now we have you wrapped in darkness,
Now we keep you, never leaving.
Trade your life for not believing!
CHORUS

Eric the Awful
Ray Stevens

(ta Do, ta Do)
Way back in history along the Nordic coast
That was the sound all the people feared the most
It would echo through the night up and down foggy fj-ord
It was Eric and the bloodthirsty Horde!

Chorus: Eric the Awful, the brutal and tenacious
Eric the Awful, the ruthless and courageous
Subtle as a chainsaw, lacking all the social graces
You could run, but you could not hide!

Yes! And as the oars of the sleek, fierce Viking ship cut like knives through the fog-shrouded
Nordic Sea, transporting the wild, marauding band of Viking heathens stealthily towards their
Unsuspecting victims, there he stood, on the foredeck, Eric the Awful, the wildest,
Bloodthirstiest Viking of them all!
(ta Do, ta Do)

(his mama named him Eric 'cause she couldn't spell AHHGGGRRRFFFLLLQQHH!)

He had a hairy head, a hairy face, hairy chest, hairy arms, hairy legs, hairy boots, and a hairy hat
Shaped like a big bullet with horns comin' out the sides...and once he started after ya, he'd
NEVER stop. (ta Do, ta Do) He'd turn to his oarsmen in his 37-oared fj-ord and say,
"MORDEN BORDEN FJORDEN GORDEN!" which was Viking for:

"Yaaahhh! Ravage, pillage, plunder, maim and put big hickeys on all the fair damsels!" (ta Do, ta Do)

Chorus: And it was Eric the Awful, the brutal and tenacious
Eric the Awful, mercy sakes, goodness gracious!
His appetite for slaughter was simply voracious
You had to sleep with your sneakers by your side!

Yes! And when the villagers heard that awful alarm: (ta Do, ta Do)

That's the one! They would run for their lives, fleeing over hills and through valleys to the river,
Whereupon they would walk mid-stream for 37 and 1/2 miles, climbing out on the low-lying
Branch, shinnying down a young sappling onto rocky ground and leaping from stone to stone
Until they arrived one week later at a secret cave 297 miles away, and as they sat down for the
First time to catch their breath, outside they heard: (ta Do, ta Do)

"MORDEN BORDEN FJORDEN GORDEN!"

Chorus: Yes it was Eric the Awful, the brutal and tenacious
Eric the Awful, turned up in the darndest places
Subtle as a chainsaw, lacking all the social graces
You could run but you could not hide!

Fair Mistland
Words & music by Linda VonKatzenbrasse
Dedicated to His Grace, Master Frederik of Holland
Copyright 1981, Linda VonBrasket-Crowe

A G A
I beg your indulgence, my Lords, a moment please bear.
G A
You've asked of my homeland far, the colors I wear.
D E A
For it's long I've been traveling from that sunny clime.
G A
Yet her vision still stays by me, through all of time.

A G A
And so my thoughts turn again, to foothills green.
G A
A sapphire bay and sky, a jewel for a queen.
G A
Her fields full of golden flowers that blanket the land.
G A
Cradle of Kingdoms, Fair Mistland.

I was only fifteen years old, when I left my home.
The wanderlust strong in me, far lands I would roam.
But my road now grows weary, and I fain would lie,
'Neath the bay trees that crown her hills, and reach to the sky.
CHORUS
Though I've passed through many Realms, seen many grand sights.
From canyons of rainbow hues, to the far northern lights.
But I'd trade all their splendor to once more be.
Where the morning mist cloaks the earth in soft mystery.
CHORUS
Yes I would go home again, to where time began.
Cradle of Kingdoms, Fair Mistland.

The Favor (Hacked To Bits)
By Valgard Stonecleaver

For a gentle hand to stroke my brow
And pat me on the head.
I go unto that field again,
To once more be struck dead.
To test their nasty little swords,
Some Dukes and Counts await me.
And I must go,
For the honor of a Lady.

Chorus: It brings a smile to her lips
To see me hacked to bits
And ground like dirt beneath a spur-decked heel.
But I saw the joy it gave to her,
To have me bear her favor.
So I'll go once more to taste somebody’s steel.

That fighter there across the field
Hits like a ton of bricks
He likes to punch out Aten' Dwarves
Just to get his kicks.
But he said my Lady's powdered cake
Tastes more like powdered board,
And so I'll go introduce my helmet to his sword.

She want's to be Princess now,
So I've entered in the lists.
Seems mad to go through all this pain
Just so I'll get kissed.
Oh good! The one I'm fighting next
Has won five times before.
I'll only have to go through this two rounds, and then no more.
CHORUS
I wonder oft' if she'd enjoy
Some tiresome pesky earl.
Who's lost to some barbarian scum
That luscious dancing girl.
Using his new five pound mace
To work things out upon her.
But now to field,
Someone's profaned her favorite kitten's honor.

The patch of purple on my ribs
The three more on my arms.
Not to mention my left shin
I owe to her vast charms.
I wonder why I go through all
This hell five times a year
'Til I see her face and I recall the reason why I'm here.

Flower of the Desert
Words & music by Baldwin of Erebor
D Em G D
One cold winters evening, I stopped at an inn.
F#M G
I met a bold captain, a leader of men.
D F#M G
He asked me to join him, for he was alone.
Em G D
And as we sat drinking, he spoke of his home.

D F#M G
Oh, Flower of the Desert, full well may you boast.
Em D
Proud Father of Kingdoms, from mountain to coast.
F#M G
The land of the Phoenix, your works have been felt,
Em G D
Oh Flower of the Desert, Atenveldt.

When I was a young man, and still in my prime.
My life stretched before me, I'd plenty of time.
But now I'm an old man and I number my days,
And I think of my homeland that's so far away.
CHORUS
I've followed the wars now for many a year.
Rolled plenty of wenches, drunk an ocean of beer.
Lived my life to the fullest, as a soldier must do.
But I'd trade it all freely for the Atenveldt blue.
CHORUS
The fire died to embers, we drank steadily on.
When I woke in the morning, the captain was gone.
But I think on his story, wherever I bide.
What a beautiful Kingdom, to inspire such pride.

Fireship

As I strolled out one evening, out for a night's career,
I spied a lofty vessel, and after her I steered.
I hoisted her my signals, which she very quickly knew
And as she see'd my bunting rise, she immediately hove to.

Chorus: She'd a dark and a roving eye, (clap, clap)
and her hair hung down in ring-a-lets. (clap)
She was a fine girl, a decent girl,
but one of the rakish kind.

Oh pray good sir, forgive me for being out so late.
For if my parents heard of it then sad would be my fate.
My father is a minister, a good and honest man.
My mother is a Methodist, so I do the best I can ...
(CHORUS)
I took her to a tavern, and treated her to wine.
But little did I think that she was of the rakish kind.
I dandled her, I handled her, and found to my surprise,
She was nothing but a fire ship rigged up in a disguise.
(CHORUS)
So all you lovesick seamen that on the streets do sail.
If you would have companionship, beware the ship you hail.
For I'd barely left my fire ship, it was hardly a week gone past,
When I found the fire that burned in her, was a-raging in my mast
(CHORUS)

The Gage of War

There once was a Herald of Scottish Disguise,
Successful in war and in love.
But his claim to renown, if the stories are true,
Was his habit of dropping his glove.

It began on a Twelfth Night a few years ago,
He came as a guest of the King.
The boards were all set, the torches aglow,
And the minstrels had started to sing.

He paused for a moment, to straighten his cloak,
And his guantlet fell onto the floor.
He bent to retrieve it, and when he arose
he found he had started a war.

The Monarch was livid, his cholor arose
to battle his forces he led.
Two armies engaged, grim battle they waged,
and soon seven thousand were dead.

But the Herald survived, alive and unharmed,
albeit a trifle chagrined.
But a bare six months later, his gage took a fall,
and it started all over again.

Thereafter mere sight of the gentleman's glove,
was enough to provoke a melee.
And had not his wife, at last hit on a plan
we'd none of us be here today.

His Gauntlets she bound with a stout piece of cord,
which she threaded apace through his sleeves.
Her strategy worked, and no more were young maids,
of their new-wedded husbands bereaved.

So now let us toast this remarkable Lord,
whose gauntlets were wont to aggrieve.
And here's to his wife, who had the good sense
To sew the damn things to his sleeves.

Garnett's Homeade Beer

Oh, the year was 1978,
How I wish I'd never tried it now
When a score of men were turned quite green,
By the scummiest ale you've ever seen.

Chorus: God damn them all, I was told
This beer was worth it's weight in gold,
We'd feel no pain, shed no tears,
But it's a foolish man who shows no fear,
At a glass of Garnett's homemade beer.

Garnett Rogers cried the town,
How I wish I'd never tried it now.
For twenty brave men, all masochists, who,
Would taste for him his homemade brew.

This motle crew was a sickening sight,
How I wish I'd never tried it now.
There was Caveman Dave with his eyes in bags,
He'd a hard-boiled liver and the staggers and jags.

We hadn't been there but an hour or two,
How i wish I'd never tried it now.
When a voice said, "Gimme some homemade brew!"
And Steeleye Stan hove into view.

Now Steeleye Stan was a frightening man,
How I wish I'd never tried it now.
He was eight feet tall and four feet wide,
Said,"Pass that jug, or I'll tan your hide."

Stan took one sip and pitched on his side,
How I wish I'd never tried it now.
Garnett was smashed by a bowl of dregs,
And his breath set fire to both my legs.

So here I lie in my twenty-third beer,
How I wish I'd never tried it now,
It's been six years since I felt this way,
On the night before my wedding day.

Gaudete

Gaudete gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virginae gaudete!
Gaudete gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virginae gaudete!

Tempus ad est gratiae
hoc quod optabamus
Carmina laetitiae
Devote redamus
Chorus:
Deus homo factus est
naturam er ante
mundos renovatus est
a Christo renante
Chorus:
Ezecheel is porta
Clausa pertransitor
unde lusx est orta
sallus invenitor
Chorus:
Ergo nostra contito
psallat jam in lustro
benedicat domino
sallus regi nostro
Chorus:

Geordie

There was a battle in the North,
and nobles there were many.
And they hae kill'd Sir Charlie Hay,
and laid the wyte on Geordie.

Oh, he has written a lang letter,
he sent it to his Lady;
Ye must cum up to Enbrugh town
to see what news o' Geordie.

When first she look'd the letter on,
She was baith red and rosy;
But she had na read a word but twa
till she wallow't like a lily.

Gar get to me my gude grey steed,
My menzie a' gae wi' me;
For I shall neither eat nor drink
till Enbrugh town shall see me.

And she has mountit her gude grey steed,
her menzie a' gaed wi' her;
And whe did neither eat nor drink
till Enbrugh town did see her.

And first appear'd the fatal block,
and then the axe to head him.
And Geordie cumin down the stair
with bands of iron upon him.

O' she's fell down on her bended knee,
I'm sure she's pale and weary.
Oh pardon, pardon noble King,
and give me back my Dearie.

Go bid the headin-man make haste,
Our King reply'd fu' lordly.
Oh noble King take a' that's mine,
but give me back my Geordie.

The Gordons came and the Gordons ran,
and they were stark and steady.
And ay the word among them all was
Gordons keep you ready.

An aged lord at the Kings right hand
says,"Noble King, but hear me.
Tell her lay down five thousand pounds,
and give her back her Dearie.

Some gave her marks, some gave her crowns
some gave her dollars many;
and she's tell'd down five thousand pounds
And she's gotten again her Dearie.

She glanced blythe in her Geordies face
says, "Dear I've bought thee, Geordie,
But the blood would have flowed upon the green
before I lost my laddie.

He claspit her by the middle sma'
and he kist her lips sae rosy.
"The fairest flower o' woman-kind is my sweet, bonnie Lady"

Giant
Words & music by Stan Rogers on "Fogarty's Cove"

G Dm7
Cold wind on the harbor and rain on the road
G C
Wet promise of winter brings recourse to coal
Bf/D G C
There's fire in the blood and a fog on Bras d'Or
Bf F G
The giant will rise with the moon.

'Twas the same ancient fever in the Isles of the Blest
That our fathers brought with them when they "went West"
It's the blood of the Druids that never will rest
The giant will rise with the moon

Bf F G F D
So crash the glass down, move with the tide
Bf C G
Young friends and old whiskey are burning inside
Bf F G F D
Crash the glass down, Fingal will rise
Bf G
With the moon

In inclement weather the people are fey
Three thousand year stories as the night slips away
Remembering Fingal feels not far away
The giant will rise with the moon

The winds in the north, there'll be new moon tonight
And we have no circle to dance in its sight
So light a torch, bring the bottle and build the fire bright
The giant will rise with the moon!
CHORUS
Cold wind on the harbor and rain on the road
Wet promise of winter brings recourse to coal
There's fire in the blood and a fog on Bras d'Or
The giant will rise with the moon.

Glenlogie

There were four and twenty Nobles, rode through Landry Fair
And Bonny Glenlogie, was the flower of them there.
And there were nine and nine Ladies, sat in the Kings hall,
And Jeanie of the Valley, was the flower of them all.

There were four and twenty Nobles, stood in the Kings hall,
And Bonny Glenlogie was the flower of them all.
Down come Jeanie Gordon, come trippin' down the stairs,
And she's chosen Glenlogie, from all that was there.

"Glenlogie, Oh Glenlogie, Oh will you prove kind,
There's a maid's love laid on ye, and I'd tell you my mind.
But he's turned him 'round lightly, like the Gordons do all,
saying, "I thank you Jeanie Gordon, but I'm promised to all.

Oh, she's called for her Maidens, to make her bed,
Oh, with ribbons and napkins for to tie up her head.
Oh, but in comes her father and a wise man was he,
saying,"I'll wed you to Dram Fedric, who has more gold than he."

"Oh hold your tongue father, that never can be,
if I can't have Glenlogie, then I surely will die."
But her father's own chaplain, Oh a man of great skill,
Sure, he's written a letter, and he's tempered it well.

"Oh, a pox on you Logie, why must it be so?
There's a maid's love laid on ye, must she die in her woe?"
"And a pox on you Logie, do you think that it's kind?
There's a maid's love laid on ye, must she die in her prime?"

When Glenlogie got the letter, he was among men,
"Oh, dear me," says Glenlogie,"what's the young woman mean?"
Oh, when he got the letter, Oh, a light laugh gave he,
but as he read o'er it, Oh, a tear filled his eye.

"Oh, saddle ye the black horse, and saddle me the brown,
or Jeanie of the Valley will be dead 'ere and gone."
But the horses were not saddled, nor set out on the green,
before bonny Glenlogie he was three miles away.

Oh, pale and wan was she, when Glenlogie he come in,
Oh, but red and rosy grew she when she knew it was him.
"Oh, where lies your pain Lady, does it lie in your side?
Oh, where lies your pain Lady, does it lie in your head?"

"Oh no, oh no Glenlogie, you're far from the part,
Oh, the pain I lie under, sure it lies in my heart."
"Then come down Jeanie Gordon, come down by my side,
and I'll be the bride groom, and you'll be the bride."

Oh, Jeanie she's got married, and her dowries been told.
Oh, when Jeanie of the Valley was scarce 16 years old.
Oh the Valley, Oh the Valley shine out where ye stand.
And the heather bells all round ye, ring out o the land.

Grand Melee Blues

I was at a Tournament one day,
thought I'd join the Grand Melee
so I grabbed my sword and I grabbed my shield
and headed off across the field.
Swinging my sword, kickin' dogs, feeling mean.

Well, without a moment of hesitation
I went to the nearest recruitin' station.
They asked my name, and I said, "Pete."
Under occupation they put 'fresh meat'.
I said, "Hey, who're we fightin' anyway?"

They just shrugged, and I started to bluster,
then I heard the call for the general muster.
The Captain was this pleasant fella,
about the size of a small gorilla.
Six foot six, two ninety-five, said he was a dwarf.

Well we put our gear into fightin' shape,
passing round rivets, and rolls of tape.
The Captain cried, "This ain't no drill, We're going out there and we're gonna kill."
And he started jumping up and down yelling, "kill, kill,..."
But that's another song.

I'm telling you, that was quite a sight,
there was people dyin' left and right.
But not me, I was walkin' tall, 'till I ran into that damn shield wall.
I looked at them, raised my sword and said,
"Don't move, I've got you surrounded!"

Well, I soon saw that wouldn't work,
that's when I started to berserk.
Eleven or twelve of the enemy died,
and two or three from my own side.
Oh well, easy come, easy go.

Now, I sneaked a peak across my shield,
only one other guy standing on the field.
I knew in a moment I was in a fix,
'cause, the other man was Bellatrix.
He said,"Say, isn't that my glove lying at your feet milord?"

Now I knew it wasn't cool to faint,
so I said a few words to my patron saint.
Shifted my grip on my trusty mace, and said,
"How do you do, your Grace?" Could be worse.
"By the way, you been shriven today?"

I said sure, and he said fine,
it's hard to ask when someone's dyin'.
He said, "If you'd like, you can stop and pray,
But make it quick, I ain't got all day."
Pater Noster, Ave Maria, God have mercy on my Soul!

I said amen, and they said "Lay on.",
and I knew in a moment I'd be gone.
So I threw a blow, then started to block,
then my helm went around like a spinning top.
He said, "Not bad for a beginner,
Next time put a little more snap into it!"
Then we both fell dead.

Grandma Got Ran Over

Chorus: Grandma got ran over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say there's no such thing as Santa
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe

She'd been drinking too much eggnog
And we begged her not to go
She forgot her medication
And she staggered out the door into the snow

When we found her Christmas morning
At the scene of the attack
She had hoof marks on her forehead
And incriminating Claus marks on her back

Chorus

It's just not Christmas without Grandma
All the family's dressed in black
And we can not help but wonder
Should we open up her gifts, or send them back?

Now we're all so proud of Grandpa
He's been taking this so well
Sitting there and watching football
Drinking beer and playing cards with Uncle El

Now the goose is on the table
And the pudding made of figs
And the blue and silver candles
Just match the shade of hair on Grandma's wig

Now I tell all my friends and family
Better watch out for yourselves
They should never give a license
To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves

Chorus

Green Grow the Rushes

I'll sing you one -O
Green grow the rushes -O

What is your one -O?
One is one and all alone, and never more shall be it so.

Two, two lily white boys, dress them all in Green -O

Three, Three the Rivals

Four, for the Gospel Makers

Five, for the symbols at your door

Six, for the Six proud walkers

Seven, for the seven Stars in the Sky

Eight, for the April Rainers

Nine, for the Nine Bright Shiners

Ten, for the Ten Commandments

Eleven, for the Eleven that went to heaven

Twelve, for the twelve Apostles

Green Grow the Rushes-O
Written by Robert Burns
G
There's naught but care on ev'ry hand,
Am
In ev'ry hour that passes, O!
C G
What signifies the life o' man,
Am B7 Em
An' 'twere na' for the lasses, O?

G Am
Green grow the rashes, O! Green grow the rashes O!
C G Am B7 Em
The sweetest hours that e'er I spent I spent among the lasses, O

The worldly race may riches chase,
An' riches still may fly them, O;
An' though at last they catch them fast,
Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them O!
(CHORUS)
Gie me a cantie hour at e'en.
My arms about my dearie, O:
An' worldly cares, and worldly men
May a' gae tapsalteerie, O.
(CHORUS)
And you sae douce wha sneer at this,
Ye're naught but senseless asses, O!
The wisest man the world e'er saw,
He dearly lo'ed the lasses, O.
(CHORUS)
Auld Nature swears the lovely dears
Her noblest works she classes, O:
Her 'prentice han' she tried on man,
An' then she made the lasses, O!

Grey Funnel Line

Don't mind the rain, or the rolling sea.
The weary night never worried me.
But the hardest time in a sailor's day,
is to watch the sun, as it fades away.

Here's one more day on the Grey Funnel Line.

The finest ships that sail the sea,
is still a prison for the likes of me.
But give me wings like Noah's dove,
I'd fly up harbor to the one I love.

Here's one more day on the Grey Funnel Line.

Oh Lord, if dreams were only real.
I'd have my hands on that wooden wheel.
And with all my heart I'd turn around,
and tell the boys that we're homeward bound.

Here's one more day on the Grey Funnel Line.

I'll pass the time like some machine,
until blue water turns to green.
Then I'll dance on down that walk ashore,
and sail the Grey Funnel Line no more,
and Sail the Grey Funnel Line no more.

Gwyndolyn and the Troll
Danpira Snowsong of Skyhaven
Dm A Dm
Come gather round I'll tell a tale the like was never told
A Dm
'Twas seen by these mine own two eyes and wondrous to behold
A Dm A
How in the fierce Eskalyan wild, a harsh and brutal land
Dm A Dm C Dm A
A maiden fair, a gentle child, could stay Fate's awful hand.

Count Ton and Countess Elizabeth saw fit to make their way
Upon a quest for Isis' grove with gift upon her day
They led with them two gentle maids, sisters, God forbid,
Who wished to help them find the place, where the priestess hid.

Through forest deep and green they made their way, until a bridge
A chasm spanned--the only way to gain the further ridge
They begged their passage of the guard, a fierce and awful troll,
He said he'd let them cross his bridge if they would pay the toll.

"I see that in your band you have three ladies good and fair,
Send one across my bridge to me, I'd have a kiss of her."
And so they sent young Gwyndolyn, a daughter of Skyhaven,
To cross the bridge, appease the troll, to clear the way for them.

As Gwyndolyn stepped on the bridge her hands began to shake,
For though the troll asked but a kiss she feared what he would take.
His arms were strong, his face was hard, his eyes were all unkind,
His stare at Gwyndolyn bespoke what was on his mind.

Said he, "Young maiden come to me, and took her in his arms"
Full well convinced she was impressed by his manly charms.
She was indeed, but not so much to let her fears run slack,
So drawn has she her slender blade, and stabbed it in his back.

"My lady you've surprised me full sore," the troll confessed.
"Such boldness found in one so young doth make me well impressed.
The blade you've slipped between my ribs hath ta'en my life away,
Now take my treasure for yourself, you've earned it on this day."

When Fanchion came across the bridge it stole her breath away
To see her sister kneeling there, where the creature lay.
"My sister, don't you pray for him, he deserves much worse."
"Who's prayin' now?" said Gwyndolyn, "I'm emptyin' his purse!"

Harris and the Mare
D G D
Harris, my old friend, it's good to see your face again
G A
More welcome though yon trap and that old mare.
G D
For the wife is in a swoon, and I am all alone,
C Em D
Harris, fetch thy mare and take us home.

The wife and I came out for a quiet glass of stout
And a word or two with neighbors in the room.
But young Cleary, he came in, as drunk and wild as sin
And he swore the wife would leave the place with him.

But the wife as quick, as thought, said "No, I'll bloody not!"
And struck the brute a blow about the head.
He raised his ugly paw and he lashed her on the jaw
And she fell unto the floor as she were dead.

Now, Harris, well you know, I've never struck an angry blow.
Nor would I keep a friend who raised his hand
I was a 'Conshie' in the war, crying "What the hell's this for?"
But I had to see his blood to be a man.

I grabbed him by his coat, spun him round and took his throat
And beat his head upon the parlor door.
He dragged out an awful knife and he roared "I'll have your life!"
Then he struck me and I fell unto the floor.

Blood I was from neck to thigh, bloody murder in his eye,
As he shouted out "I'll finish you for sure!"
But as the knife came down, I lashed out from the ground
And the knife was in his breast when he rolled o'er.

With the wife as cold as clay, I carried her away
No hand was raised to help us through the door.
And I've carried her half a mile, but I've had to rest awhile
And none of them I'll call a friend a' more.

For when the knife came down, I was helpless on the ground
No neighbor stayed his hand, I was alone.
By God! I was a man, but now, I cannot stand,
Please, Harris, fetch thy mare and take us home.

Oh, Harris, fetch thy mare, and take us out of here.
In my nine and fifty years I'd never known
That to call myself a man, for my loved one I must stand
Now, Harris, fetch thy mare, and take us home.
Please, Harris, fetch thy mare ...

Health to the Company

Kind friends and companions, come join me in rhyme.
Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine.
Lets drink and be merry, all grief to refrain.
For we may and might never, all meet here again.

So, here's a Health to the Company, and one to my lass.
Let's drink and be merry, all out of one glass.
Let's drink and be merry, all grief to refrain.
For we may, and might never, all meet here again.

Now, here's a health to the wee lass, that I love so well.
For style, and for beauty there's none can excel.
She smiles on my countenance, as she sits on my knee.
Sure there's no one on earth who's as happy as me.
(CHORUS)
My ship lies at harbor, she's ready to dock.
I wish her safe landing without any shock.
And if ever I should meet you, by land or by sea,
I shall always remember your kindness to me.
(CHORUS)

High Barbaree (capo 2 as written)

D G D
Look ahead, look astern, look the weather in the lee,
D G A
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
D G D A
There is a wreck to windward and a lofty ship to lee
D C D C D
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree

Are you a privateer or a man of war cried we
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
I am a lusty pirate ship come a lookin' for my fee
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree

Broadside and broadside we fought along the main
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Until at last the frigate shot the pirate's mast away
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree

With cutlass and gun oh we fought for hours three
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
The ship it was their coffin and the grave it was the sea
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree

For quarter, for quarter, the saucy pirate's cried
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
But the quarters that we showed them was to sink them in the tide
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree

And though it was a cruel sight and grieved us full sore
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
To see them all a'drownin' as they tried to swim ashore
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree

The Highwayman

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
And the road was a ribbon of moonlight looping the purple moor,
When the highwayman came riding --riding-- riding--
Yes, the highwayman came riding up to the old inn-door.

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in dark inn-yard
He tapped with his whip on the shutter, but all was locked and barred;
So he whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter, Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

"One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I'm after a prize tonight,
I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;
Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
then look for me by moonlight, watch for me by moonlight,
And I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."

He did not come at the dawning; he did not come at the noon;
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon,
When the road was a ribbon of moonlight, looping the purple moor,
A red-coat troop came marching-marching--marching--
King George's men came marching, up to the old inn-door

They bound the landlord's daughter, with many a sniggering jest,
They bound the musket beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast!
"Now keep good watch!", and they kissed her. She heard the dead man say,
"Oh look for me by moonlight; watch for me by moonlight;
and I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way!"

"Look for me by moonlight;" the hoof-beats ringing clear,
"Watch for me by moonlight;" were the deaf that the could not hear?
For he rode on the gypsy highway, she drew one final breath,
Then her finger moved in the moonlight, the musket shattered the moonlight,
Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him--with her death.

Back he spurred into the west, he could not know who stood
Bound with her black hair flowing down, drenched in her own red blood!
Not toll the morning he heard it, his face grew gray to hear
How the landlord's black-eyed daughter, yes, the landlord's daughter
Had waited for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there.

Back he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky,
With the white road smoking behind him, and his rapier brandished high!
Blood-red his spurs in the golden noon; wine-red his velvet coat,
When they shot him down on the highway, down like a dog on the highway
And he lay in his blood on the highway, with a bunch of lace at his throat.

And still on a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
And the road is a ribbon of moonlight, looping the purple moor,
Well the highwayman comes riding-- riding--- riding--
Well the highwayman still comes riding, up to the old inn-door.

Horse Thief Song
Trad, arr Oak, Ash & Thorn
Come listen a while and I'll tell you a story
of three merry gentlemen riding along
They met a fair maid and to her did say
"We're afraid this cold morning will do you some harm."
"Oh no, kind sir, said the maid, you're mistaken
to think this cold morning will do me some harm
There's one thing I crave and it lies twixt your legs, sir
If you'll give me that it will keep me warm.
Well since you do crave it, my dear, you shall have it.
if you'll come with me to yonder green tree
Well since you do crave it, my dear you shall have it.
I'll make these two gentlemen witness to be
So the gentleman lighted and straightway she mounted
And looking the gentleman hard in the face
said "you knew not me meaning you wrong understood me
And away she went galloping down the long lane.
Oh gentlemen lend me one of your horses
That I may ride after her down the long hane.
If I overtake her, I' warrant I'll make her
return unto me my own horse again.
But as soon as this fair maid she saw him a'comin.
She instantly then took her pistol in hand,
saying "doubt not my skill, but it's you I would kill,
And I'll have you stand back or you are a dead man.
Oh why do you spend all your time here in talking?
Oh why do you spend all your time here in vain?
Come giver her a guinea it's what she deserves
And I warrant she'll give you your horse back again.
Oh no kind sirs you're vastly mistaken.
If it is his loss, then it is my gain,
and you were a witness that he gave it to me
And away she went galloping over the plain.

Into The Green

The fife and a harp ghostly on the wind comes to me.
A soft drum matches my heartbeat, but no drummer can I see.
Outside my window, the night is calling.
I am on my feet and gone, before I know I'm moving.

A wild and secret summons, brought me here,
On paths among the trees, no one knows.
Here to the circle, of Standing Stones
Music without players lingers in my ears.

A midsummer's rain is dancing, with my new-seen love
Within the Standing Stones, they dance and weave their spell.
A full moon looks down, through a gap in the clouds'
And set her hair a-glistenin', like silk and diamonds woven.

Oh, with her eyes, she reaches out to me,
Into the green, where I lie concealed.
With her eyes, she asks me to join her,
I know not how nor care I to refuse.

Her sweet and gentle darkness, is stirring me,
In this place deep in the wilds, few mortals see.
If I choose, I might ignore her call,
But what remained after that choir, could mean nothing at all.

So I step into the circle, and I take her hand,
And then I too am dancing and we whirl upon the green.
Like the sunset we fade, from this world I've known,
Into another I've longed for, laughing as we go.

Into her eyes, a joyous light is shining,
A light that is echoed in my own eyes.
For I and my magic moonlight girl,
Are suddenly and finally going home.

Sweet and gentle darkness, come take me away.

The Irish French Letter

I was up to me arse in the muck, sir,
with a peat contract down in the bog.
When me shovel it struck somethin' hard, sir.
that I thought was a rock or a log.

'Twas a box of the finest old oak, sir,
'twas a foot long and four inches wide.
And not givin' a damn for the faires,
I just took a quick look inside.

Now I opened the lid of this box, sir,
and I swear that my story is true;
'twas and ancient old Irish French Letter,
a relic of Brian Boru.

'Twas and ancient old Irish French Letter.
'twas a foot long, and made of elk hide;
with a little gold tag on its end, sir,
with his name, rank and stud fee inscribed.

Now I cast me mind back through the ages,
to the days of that horny old Celt.
With his wife lyin' by on the bed, sir,
as he stood by the fire, in his pelt.

And I thought that I heard Brian whisper,
as he stood in the fire's rosy light.
"Well, ye've had your own way long enough, dear,
'tis the hairy side outside tonight!"

Itches in Me Britches

I was born of Geordie parents, one day when I was young.
That's how the Geordie dialect become me native tongue.
That I was a pretty baby, me mother she would vow.
The girls all ran to kiss me, well I wish they'd do it now!

Oh, I wish they'd do it now, oh, I wish they'd do it now.
I've got itches in me britches, and I wish they'd do it now.

Well, when I was only six months old, the girls would handle me.
They clutched me to their bosoms, and they bounced me on their knee.
They would rock me in the cradle, and if I made a row,
They'd tickle me, they'd cuddle me, I wish they'd do it now.
(CHORUS)
At sixteen months as fine a lad, as ever could be seen.
The girls all liked to follow me, right down to the green.
They would make a chain of buttercups and drop it on me brow,
Then they'd rub me nice all over, well I wish they'd do it now
(CHORUS)
Well, the Eastern girls would call for me, to swim when it was mild
Down to the river we would go and splash about awhile.
They would throw the water over me, and duck me like a cow.
Then they'd rub me nice all over, well I wish they'd do it now.
(CHORUS)
Well, it's awful lonely for a lad, to lead a single life.
I think I'll go to the dance tonight and find myself a wife.
Oh, I have got six bundle pigs, likewise one big fat sow,
There'll be plenty love and bacon for the girl who'll have me now
For the girl who'll have me now, for the girl who'll have me now.
There'll be plenty love and bacon for the girl who'll have me now.

I Want to be Seduced

I want to be seduced.
I want a woman to take me out to dinner for two.
I want to see her eyes get moody,
Flirting with the thought of what flirting ought to do.

I want to be real cool.
I want a woman to think about getting little me in bed,
While we chat about Magna Carta, Puerto Vallarta, something Ghandi said.
I might be shy, politely, oh so slightly, if she tried to fondle my knee.
But I'm relatively certain I'd compromise if I know me.

I want to be seduced.
I want a woman to talk to me suggestively.
I want to hear her say she'll be with me tomorrow morning, sipping hot Jasmine tea.
I want her to make me laugh,
I want her to make a point of touching me when she talks.

Making all the jealous men in the joint mumble in their beer and gawk.
I know it only happens when I'm napping,
Or nodding in a reverie,
Till I find myself a woman who wouldn't mind seducing me.

I want to be seduced.
I want a woman to talk to me suggestively.
I want to hear her say she'll be with me tomorrow morning, sipping hot Jasmine tea.
I know it only happens when I'm napping,
Or nodding in a a reverie,
Till I find myself a woman who wouldn't mind seducing,
Starting from the moment that we've be introduced,
I'd like to find a woman who wouldn't mind seducing me.

Jabberwocky
by Lewis Carroll

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sward to hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought-
So rested he by the Tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumping back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh, Callay!"
He chortled his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome rath outgrabe.

Jack the Slob and the Goddess of Love
by Leslie Fish
D A D G
Jack the Slob to Venus prayed,
D G A
prayed, prayed, merry, merry prayed,
D G A
"Grant this night I shall get laid,"
D A D G
laid, laid, merry, merry laid,
D A G
"Tonight I shall get laid."

Venus said, "This shall I do,
do, do, merry, merry do,
but first, I ask three things of you,
you, you, merry, merry you,
I ask three things of you."

"Go clean your teeth and bod and hair,
hair, hair, merry, merry hair,
And change your week-old underwear,
wear, wear, merry, merry wear,
your week-old underwear."

"Pray put on clothes that flatter you,
you, you, merry, merry you,
A clean t-shirt and jeans will do,
do, do, merry, merry do,
a clean t-shirt will do."

"And when a maid you would impress,
press, press, merry, merry press,
pray, do not drool down her chest,
chest, chest, merry, merry chest,
do not drool down her chest."

Jack replied, "No thank you, ma'am,
ma'am, ma'am, merry, merry ma'am,
Send me a girl who'll take me as I am,
am, am, merry, merry am,
who'll take me as I am."

Venus said, "I'll tell you what,
what, what, merry, merry what,
though I should kick your lazy butt,
butt, butt, merry, merry butt,
should kick your lazy butt."

"Perhaps 'twould be more fitting far,
far, far, merry, merry far,
to send you a maid who'll take you as you are,
are, are, merry, merry are,
who'll take you as you are."

Jack the Slob(Cont.)

"Go at once to the city zoo,
zoo, zoo, merry, merry zoo,
'tis there you'll find the maid for you,
you, you, merry, merry you,
you'll find the maid for you."

So Jack went down with hopes held high,
high, high, merry, merry high,
Until the ape house he drew nigh,
nigh, nigh, merry, merry nigh,
the ape house he drew nigh.

"Twas there a maiden Jack did view,
view, view, merry, merry view,
and she was struck with passion true,
true, true, merry, merry true,
was struck with passion true."

Her hair was thick, her looks were free,
free, free, merry, merry free,
in fact, she was a lovely chimpanzee,
zee, zee, merry, merry zee,
a lovely chimpanzee.

She leapt the fence, e're he could run,
run, run, merry, merry run,
and grabbed him boldly by the bun,
bun, bun, merry, merry bun,
she grabbed him by the bun.

She dragged him back into her lair,
lair, lair, merry, merry lair,
for all that I know, they may still be there,
there, there, merry, merry there,
they may still be there.

So lazy swains, you'd best believe,
lieve, lieve, merry, merry lieve,
you should not get the goddess peeved,
peeved, peeved, merry, merry peeved,
don't get the goddess peeved.

Jeana's Song
by Vandra Lionsmane

I went to Kylson's in the middle of the night.
I tiptoed in, and I turned on the light.
To my chagrin there was no one in sight.
I think Jeana took them all hot tubbing tonight.

She goes Ba, Ba, Ba, Ba, Bathing with Bears.
Raggedy Bears, Shaggy Bears, Baggy Bears too.
There's nothing on earth that Jeana won't do
So she can go Bathing, Ba, Ba, Ba, Ba, Bathing.
So she can go Bathing, Bathing with Bears.

I went to household and I saw Jeana there,
When she stood up, she was decked out with care.
That's when I saw just how clean was her hair,
and I thought to myself, "She's goes bathing with Bears."
(CHORUS)
We'd ask her to sing, and Jeana would just sigh.
First we let the Rumplemintz get by.
Then her imitation of that cartoon guy,
Now I'm thoroughly convinced that Jeana's not shy
(CHORUS)
For the last month she's been mirthful and gay.
No one in Quid Non knew quite what to say.
But the bears all barged in and they took her away.
Now she's bathing with teddy, she'll never get ready.
The Bears all insist upon one bath a day.
(CHORUS)

Jenny and the Dragon

Jenny Lynn was a lassie fair,
Bonnie, and brave, and bold.
She went a walkin’ without a care,
Down where the river rolled.

Along its bank she spied her lord,
Manly with black hair and beard.
Toward him she crept without a word,
And lo, twas just as she'd feared!

While her Lord slept 'neath a spreading tree,
She watched with curious eyes,
And wondered what it could possibly be
That caused his kilt to rise.

So, against the words of her priest,
That kilt she did cautiously raise.
And there a fearsome, glorious beast
Was the sight that did meet her gaze.

The creature she grasped-first lightly, then rough.
And was greeted with quite a surprise!
As if this monster were not large enough,
It suddenly grew to twice its size.

Her breathing quickened, as she gasped in fear,
But her courage it was not flaggin',
As she said to herself - "What have I here?",
'tis the splendid, glorious kilt dragon.

Ah, the Kilt Dragon - fabled ruin of maid,
The beast which she must subdue.
So firmly upon him both hands she laid,
And an epic struggle did then ensue.

The Dragon bounded within her grip,
but her resolve and her hands held firm.
Never away would she let him slip,
Though the man beneath him did rise and squirm.

Ah, yes now the man was awake,
And she said,"Lord, be not afraid,
Tho inhabiting thy kilt is a Dragon snake -
to him waste shall soon be laid."

Her Lord said,"Lass, thy courage amazes,
for that dragon is fearsome indeed.
And I shall always sing thy praises,
for being my rescue in this time of need.

But lass, this dragon has terrible powers,
Which only a certain spell can break.
Unless thy strength can last for hours,
Thy must now him in thy mouth take.

Jenny and the Dragon (cont.)

For thy ruby lips the power contain
To wither this dreadful beast.
And, in his death, virtue shall reign
and thy shall taste a glorious feast.

For, in dying, the Kilt Dragon an essence spews forth -
'tis the nectar of life, so they say.
Invaluable, glorious, of immeasurable worth,
That which thou shall first taste today.

Thusly did Jenny the beast defeat,
With hands and mouth quite willing.
And tho such a monster was fearsome to eat,
'Twas also amazingly thrilling.

The deed was done, the beast was dead.
The Dragon now shrunken and placid.
But lo, twas not as her Lord had said,
For the monster did not long stay flaccid.

He arose, angry and rampant, with glowing red eye
But valiant Jenny was not afraid.
She flushed, she quivered, and then did sigh
And knew she would not long remain a maid.

Her Lord grasped Jenny in his powerful arms,
and kissed her with tongue quite probing.
She felt weak and faint from his masculine charm
And desired not to resist the disrobing.

He kissed her body in every part
Till he reached the dragons lair.
He touched and found it dark, moist and hot
then began to kiss her there.

She moved, then writhed, then thrashed about
until, screaming, she reached the summit!
Then, for the dragon she did shout,
And never flinched she from it

"Oh sheathe thy sword, my glorious master
put the Dragon in its cave!"
Then together they moved, faster, faster
Until joyous release each did have.

But this my tale is not at an end,
For Jenny and her lord oft do roam,
To the forest where the river does bend,
And there they put the Dragon in its home.

John Barleycorn
Traditional
There were three men came out of the West,
Their fortunes for to try,
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn should die.
They plowed, they sowed, they harrowed him,
Threw clods upon his head.
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn was dead.

Then they let him lie for a very long time
'Til the rains from heaven did fall
But Little Sir John sprung up his head
And so amazed them all
Then they let him stand 'til Midsummer's Day
'Til he looked both pale and wan
But Little Sir John, he grew a long beard
And so became a man.

Then they hired men with scythes so sharp
To cut him at the knee.
They pulled and tied him by the waist
And served him barbarously.
Then they hired men with sharp pitchforks
And pierced him through the heart.
And the tinker served him worst of all,
For he bound him into the cart.

They wheeled him around and around the field
'Til they came into the barn.
And these three men made a solemn oath
On poor John Barleycorn.
Then they hired men with crabtree sticks
To cut him skin from bone.
But the miller served him worse than that
For he ground him between two stones.

It's Little Sir John of the nut brown bowl
Proved the strongest man at match.
For Little Sir John of the nut brown bowl
Is whiskey in the glass.
Oh, the hunter he can't hunt the fox,
Nor so soundly turn his horse.
And the tinker he can't work so well
With a little John Barleycorn

Johnny be Fair

Oh, Johnny be fair and Johnny be fine,
and wants me for to wed.
And I would marry Johnny, but me father up and said,
"I'm sad to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew.
But Johnny is a son of mine, and so is kin to you."

Oh, Billy be fair, and Billy be fine,
and wants me for to wed.
And I would marry Billy, but me father up and said,
"I'm sad to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew.
But Billy too is a son of mine, and so is kin to you."

Oh, Charley be fair, and Charley be fine,
and wants me for to wed.
And I would marry Charley, but me father up and said,
I'm sad to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew,
But Charley too is a son of mine, and so is kin to you."

You never saw a girl so sad and sorry as I was.
The boys in town are all my kin, and me father is the cause.
If life should thus continue, I shall die a single miss,
And so I'll go to mother, and complain to her of this!

"Oh, daughter haven't I taught you to forgive and to forget.
And if your father sowed his oats, well still you needn't fret.
Your father may be father to all the boys in town but still,
He's not the one who sired you, so marry who you will!"

The King
Steeleye Span

D A D A
Joy, health, love and peace be all here in this place.
D G D A D
By your leave we will sing, concerning of our King.

Our King is well dressed, in silke of the best.
In ribbons so rare, no King can compare.

We have traveled many miles, over hedges and stiles.
In search of our King, unto you we bring.

We have broadsword and shield, to conquer the field.
We have pole-arm and shield wall, to conquer them all.

Old Christmas is past, twelve-tide is the last.
And we bid you adieu, great joy to the new.

The Knight and the Unicorn

There was a knight, a lusty knight, a randy knight was he,
He had eleven mistresses, and bastards thirty-three.
He indulged in every excess, yes, and each licentious whim.
So you should have seen his jaw drop when a Unicorn chose him.

Please go away, my gold-maned friend, begone, I do declare!
My reputation will be shot with all the maidens fair.
I fear you've got the wrong man, oh, my friend with coat so fine.
I haven't been a virgin since I reached the age of nine!

I've led a very lusty life falls, winters, springs and summers.
I have no peers with "pole weapons" yes, I'll take on all comers.
So go away fair Unicorn, if not I'll be grief-stricken,
The rampant cock upon my shield will turn into a chicken!

The ladies all reject me, thinking I'm so much bravado,
There must be twenty knights around with "Chastity" their motto.
So go away fair Unicorn, yes, please leave me alone.
The ladies will not lay with me with you for chaperon!

Please go away, fair Unicorn, begone and do not tarry,
You'll find the kind of man you seek up in the monastery.
On second thought, they're not the type that's celibately sleeping
Instead of Mass and priestly vows, it's mistresses they're keeping

The Unicorn said not a word, but with a soft tap-tap,
She coiled her hoofs around his feet, put her head upon his lap.
The knight looked in her deep brown eyes and asked, "Why me, why you?"
The Unicorn demurely said, "My Lord, I'm horny too!"

There was a Knight, a lusty Knight, a randy Knight was he,
He took to wife a unicorn, and they're both quite happy.

Lady Mary
Arr. Ellen P.Thomson

(Drop D, High E open, Capo 3 or 4)

1. He came from his palace grand,
He came to my cottage door,
His words were few, but his looks
Will linger forevermore.

The look in his sad dark eyes,
More tender than words could be,
But I was nothing to him,
And he was the world to me.

2. There in her garden she stands
All dressed in fine satin and lace,
Lady Mary so cold and so strange,
Who finds in his heart no place.

He knew I would be his bride,
With a kiss for a lifetime fee.
But I was nothing to him,
And he was the world to me.

3. And now in his palace grand,
On a flower-strewn bed he lies.
His beautiful lids are closed
O'er his sad dark beautiful eyes.

And among the mourners who mourn
Why should I a mourner be?
For I was nothing to him,
And he was the world to me.

Logs to Burn
Traditional
as Sung by Golden Bough on "Winter's Dance"

Logs to Burn! Logs to Burn!
Logs to save the coal a turn.
Here's a word to make you wise
When you hear the woodsman cry.

Beech wood logs burn bright and clear, hornbeam blazes too,
If the logs are kept are kept a year to season through and through.
(CHORUS)
Pine is good and so is yew for warmth for wintry days
The poplar and the willow too, they take too long to blaze.
(CHORUS)
Oak logs will burn you well if they're old and dry.
Lodge logs like pinewood smell, but the sparks will fly.
(CHORUS)
Birch logs will burn too fast, alder scarce at all.
Chestnut logs are good to last, cut them in the fall.
(CHORUS)
Holly logs will burn like wax, you should burn them green.
Elder logs like smoldering flax, no flames with them are seen.
(CHORUS)
Pear logs and apple logs, they will scent your room.
Cherry logs across the dogs, they smell like flowers in bloom.
(CHORUS)
Ash logs are smooth and grey, burn them green or old.
Buy up all that come your way, they're worth their weight in gold.

Lough Rask

I was just seventeen, when to Westclare I came.
To serve Lord o' Laichlann, and fight in his name.
And he gave me a sword, and he promised me fame,
If I'd lay down my life for the Burren.

But, worries we'd none through the westering year,
as I courted my maiden, and hunted the deer.
And my sword gathered dust, as we'd nothing to fear,
'till the snows brought a messenger riding.

And he cried a fierce army'd crossed o'er the far hills,
Our land to despoil and our cattle to kill.
So we took up the banner and marched with a will,
to beat them away from our border.

So certain of glory we marched with the tide,
through the snow covered stones, where the wild rabbits hide.
And we stopped where Lough Rask, lay so peaceful and wide.
And a cry echoed over the water.

And the grey hag, she rose where no foothold could be,
from the heart of the lake, with her back to the sea.
And she thrust out her hand, with her eyes turned to me,
saying, "Soldier of Laichlann take warnin'."

"Get ye home Lord o' Laichlann, get ye home while ye may.
For your fate is decreed if you march on your way.
And no man that fights with you can live out the day.
And a cold wind will blow on the Burren."

Laichlann just smiled, as he raised up his hand,
said, "I hark not to vision, nor bow to demand.
And there's no one on earth, be he devil or man,
can lure me to faithless surrender.

And the cursed outlanders who march to the fore,
will rue the cruel fate that has tempted them o'er.
For we go in God's name as we march unto war.
So take heaven or hell as it please you."

And I wanted to run, but I didn't dare try.
And the hag she just stood as our army marched by.
Well, I wish now I'd spit in my Lord Laichlann's eye,
For a cold wind did blow on the Burren.

The foe fell upon us, with scarcely a sound.
And we froze in confusion, a feast for the hounds.
Quickly and cruelly they cut Loughlin down.
And they harvested us like ripe barley.

Now wounded I lie, though my warnin' was clear.
Scarce was the glory, awaitin' us here.
And this heart that beat only to comfort my dear,
Now stains the white snows of the evening.

Were we true to our duty, well God only knows.
And it won't even matter to him I suppose,
When we all melt away, with the last winter snows.
And the Wild flowers bloom on the Burren.

Lucky
Tymmotae Kyle Tayshun

Chorus: Lucky I'd be to find silver
Lucky I'd be to find gold
And I'd rather get lucky than work 'til I'm old (oh--)
Lucky I'd be to find gold.

Freedom I'd have with the silver
The freedom from being controlled
The freedom to do more than just what I'm told (so--)
Free I would be with the gold.

Chorus

Safe I would be in my castle
A fortress so mighty and bold
Safe from my enemies, safe from the cold (foe/snow--)
Safe I would be with the cold.

Chorus

Handsome I'd be in my new clothes
Of fabric so fine to behold
All tailored for me on the day they were sold (sew--)
Handsome I'd be with the gold

Chorus

Happy I'd be with a lady
A lady to have and to hold
A lady whose love I'd embrace and enfold (wo--)
A lady with heart of pure gold

Chorus
(last line repeats 2x)

Madam, I'm a Darling

As I walked out in Chester city,
at the late hour of the night.
Who should I see but a fair young maiden,
washing her clothes in the clear moonlight.

Oh, Madam I'm a Darling, a di ro dither-O
Madam I'm a Darling, a di ro da.

Oh first she washed them, then she squeezed them,
then she laid them out to dry.
Then she folded up her arms saying,
"Oh, what a fair young girl am I."
(CHORUS)
Oh, going to the well, for a pail of water,
fetching it back to make some tea.
Well, she fell under, and I fell over,
And all the game was above her knee.
(CHORUS)
Madam, I will tie your Garter,
I will tie it above your knee.
And if you like, I'll tie it up farther,
'cause Madam, I'm a Darling a di ro da.
(CHORUS)
Have you ever heard of cups and saucers
rattling around in an old tin can?
Have you ever heard of a fair young maiden
married to an ugly, grey old man?
(CHORUS)
Oh, laddie you may have gold and silver
laddie you may have some tracts of land.
You may have a fleet of ships on the ocean,
but, all I need now is a cunning young man.
(CHORUS)

The Maid on the Shore
Traditional (Stan Rogers)

Am G Em Am
There is a young maiden, she lives all alone,
G Am
She lives all alone on the shore-o.
C G Em
There's nothing she can find to comfort her mind,
Am G Am G
But to roam all alone on the shore, shore, shore...
Am G Am
But to roam all alone on the shore.

'Twas of the young Captain who sailed the salt sea.
Let the wind blow high, blow low.
"I will die, I will die," the young Captain did cry,
"If I don't have that maid on the shore, shore, shore...
"If I don't have that maid on the shore."

"I have lots of silver, I have lots of gold,
I have lots of costly ware-o.
I'll divide, I'll divide with my jolly ship's crew,
If they row me that maid on the shore, shore, shore...
If they row me that maid on the shore."

After much persuasion, they got her aboard.
Let the wind blow high, blow low.
They replaced her away in his cabin below,
Here's adieu to all sorrow and care, care, care...
Here's adieu to all sorrow and care.

They replaced her away in his cabin below
Let the wind blow high, blow low.
She's so pretty and neat, she's so sweet and complete.
She's sung Captain and sailors to sleep, sleep, sleep...
She's sung Captain and sailors to sleep.

Then she robbed him of silver, she robbed him of gold.
She robbed him of costly ware-o
Then she took his broadsword instead of an oar,
And paddled her way to the shore, shore, shore...
And paddled her way to the shore.

"Me men must be crazy, me men must be mad.
Me men must be deep in despair-o.
For to let you away from my cabin so gay,
And to paddle your way to the shore, shore, shore...
And to paddle your way to the shore."

"Your men were not crazy, your men were not mad.
Your men were not deep in despair-o.
I deluded your sailors as well as yourself,
I'm a maiden again on the shore, shore, shore...
I'm a maiden again on the shore."

There is a young maiden she lives all alone,
She lives all alone on the shore-o.
There's nothing she can find to comfort her mind,
But to roam all alone on the shore, shore, shore...
But to roam all alone on the shore.

March of Cambreadth
Music & words by Heather Alexander ("Phoenyx")

Am G Am
Axes flash, broadswords swing,
Am G F Am
Shining armor's piercing ring
Am G Am
Horses run with the polished shield.
Am G F Am
Fight those bastards 'til they yield.
Am G
Midnight mare, blood red roan,
F G F Am
Fight to keep this land your own.
Am G
Sound the horn and call the cry,
F G F Am
How many of them can we make die?

Follow orders as you're told,
Makes their yellow blood run cold.
Fight until you die or drop.
Force like ours is hard to stop.
Close your mind to stress and pain.
Fight 'til you're no longer sane.
Let not one damn cur pass by,
How many of them can we make die?

Guard your women and children well.
Send these bastards back to hell.
We'll teach them the ways of war.
They won't come here anymore.
Use your shield and use your head,
Fight 'til every one is dead.
Raise the flag up to the sky,
How many of them can we make die?

Dawn is broke, the time has come.
Move your feet to the marching drum.
We'll win the war and pay the toll,
We'll fight as one in heart and soul.
Midnight mare, blood red roan,
Fight to keep this land your own.
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How many of them can we make die?

Axes flash, broadswords swing,
Shining armor's piercing ring
Horses run with the polished shield.
Fight those bastards 'til they yield.
Midnight mare, blood red roan,
Fight to keep this land your own.
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How many of them can we make die?

Mary Mac

Mary Mac's Fathers making Mary Mac marry me,
My Fathers' making me marry Mary Mac.
I'm gonna marry Mary for my Mary to take care of me.
We'll all be feeling merry when I marry Mary Mac.
Rum, tum, ditty, ditty, Rum, tum, tum

Now there's a little girl, and her name is Mary Mac.
Now make no mistake, she's the girl I'm gonna track.
A lot of other fella's they've been gettin off their backs,
But I'm thinking that they'd have to get up early.
(CHORUS)
Now this little girl, she's got a lot of class.
She's got a lot of brass and her father thinks I'm gas.
I'd be a silly ass for to let the matter pass,
For her father thinks she does me rather fairly.
(CHORUS)
Now Mary and her mother go an awful lot together.
In fact you hardly ever see the one without the other.
And people always wonder if it's Mary or her Mother,
When they see us out together when we're courting.
(CHORUS)
Now the weddings on a Wednesday, and everything's arranged.
And soon her name will change to mine, unlessen mine be changed.
But in making the arrangements, see I'm just about deranged.
'Cause marriage is an awful undertaking.
(CHORUS)
It's gonna be a grand affair, grander than the fair.
There's gonna be a lotta fare for every couple there.
We'll dine upon the finest there, I'm sure I'll get my share
And if not then I'll be very much mistaken.
(CHORUS)

Men of Worth
filked from Archie Fisher's Men of Worth
by Vanora Gyldenheart

Leave the land behind laddies, better days to find
The barons have the money and they'll soon teach you the skill
Green fields far away lads 'tis time for thee, be brave
Be a madman or a roustabout, they'll soon teach you to kill

But who'll tend me sheep when I'm so far from thee?
A'Trampin' foreign soil from Kilkenny to Calais?
La, la, la ....

Leave the fishin' trade lads. There's money to be made.
The shield wall and the luggage carts are awfully far from gay.
Come to Baron's War lads. Sights you've never seen!
Be a pike man in the second line, or a shield man in the fray.

But when this war is over and your feet have touched the shore
How will you feed your family when they've cut your arm away?
La, la, la .....

There's farm hills to be tilled lads, seeds to sow and fill
Spread across the valley glens like moonlight on the sea
Alms to feed the poor, and a dozen different chores
That'll gnaw away your soldier's wage 'til there's little left for tea.

I know your men of worth. You're the best that's in the north.
Not men of greed but men who need the work that's come their way.
Come march down to the shore. We'll soon be off to war
Now your pretty wife and only son will never be the same.

I know you're men of worth. You're the best that's in the north
Not men of greed but men who need the work that's come their way.
La, la, la....

Moose Song

Whenever I'm bored and in need of a lay
I go to the closet and gets me some hay
I go to the window and spread it around
'Cause moose always comes when there's hay on the ground

CHORUS: Moose, Moose, I like a Moose
I've never had anything quite like a Moose
I've had many women, my life has been loose
But I've never had anything quite like a Moose

Gorillas are O.K. for Saturday night
Lions and tigers they puts up a fight
But it just ain't the same when you slams their caboose
As it is when you jumps on the rumps of a Moose

I've done it with all kind of beasties with hair
I'd do it with snakes if their fangs wasn't there
I've done it with walrus, a duck, and a goose
But I've never had anything quite like a Moose

I had me a tortoise, a snail, and a hare
I'd have me a snake if his fangs wasn't there
An ostrich is all wrong, the angles obtuse
Besides when you humps him he squawks like a goose.

When I was a young man I used to like girls
I'd fondle their bodies and play with their curls
My girlfriend ran off with a salesman named Bruce
Now you'd never be treated that way by a Moose

When you're down on your luck there's no women around
And you're tired of your cattle, your sheep, and your hound
The best thing to please you that I've ever found
Is a red-headed Moose in a sexy nightgown

When you fish at the fjord but just can't get a bite
When you reach for the mead but just have an ale light
When you challenge some soldiers who don't want to fight
A Moose of the evening will keep you up for the night

When you walk through the forest, the weather will snow
But I see my darling with her eyes all aglow
A Moose is quite pleasing, this fact you must know
But her father is coming, so now I must go

I'm back in the village there's people galore
But I feel so lonely, my life's such a bore
I see some big antlers coming through my front door
Well she blew me a kiss and said "I want some more!"

Now I am old and advanced in my years
I look back at life and I shed me no tears
I sit in my chair with my glass of matoose
Playing hide the salami with Marvin the Moose

Morgan Le-Fay

Said Merlin wise, "Oh Wart, my boy, be ever ware of woman's wiles!
They topple page and prince alike, while demons hide behind their smiles.
Be wary lest one of them snares you; her nets are for innocent prey!
Be wary lest one of them snares you; Be wary of Morgan Le-Fay!"

Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay. Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay.

When Arthur grew to be a lad, before he wore his golden crown.
Before he held Excalibur, before he won a King's renown.
Who led him into her chamber? Who led young Arthur astray?
Who led him into her chamber? None but Morgan Le-Fay!

Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay. Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay.

When Arthur sat on England's throne, beside his good queen Guinevere.
Excalibur lay in his lap, where should have lain a royal heir.
Was it the curse of a gypsy, born in the dark of the day?
Was it the curse of a gypsy, or was it of Morgan Le-Fay?

Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay. Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay.

When Arthur heard his table crack, when knight fought knight within his hall.
When Guinevere was in disgrace, and Camelot began to fall.
Who was the scoundrel but Mordred, born in the dark of the day?
Who was the scoundrel but Mordred, Bastard of Morgan Le-Fay!

Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay. Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay.

"Alas, my son, what have you done? Why have you torn your father's dream?
Why have you so disgraced his wife?" Said Mordred, "I'd have Mother Queen!"
And Mordred pays scarlet with scarlet, "Your Queen is a harlot, I say!"
And Mordred pays scarlet with scarlet, Compliments Morgan Le-Fay!

Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay. Morgan, Morgan, Morgan Le-Fay!

My Awards

My awards go jingle, jangle, jingle
as I go strutting pompously along.
Oh, I see you've only got a single,
If you think that I'll talk to you you're wrong.

Oh, I'm a Peer, yes I'm a Peer.
If you don't outrank me don't come near.
But if you do, yes if you do.
And you give me something I'll love you.
(CHORUS)
I've got a leaf, a Laurel too,
and if you don't have one, then fuck you.
I've got the QOG, and Pelican,
and I'll be an Arts King when I can.
(CHORUS)
Oh, I don't fight or come to blows,
but, if I did, I would be the best God knows.
I'll take a shield, I'll take a sword,
When just touching them will get awards.
(CHORUS)
At the Grand March, now don't forget,
announce my name then half the alphabet.
My greatest joy, titles and names,
take heralds half an hour to declaim.
(CHORUS)
Awards aren't cheap, buzz off you creep.
There's no more room at the top of the heap.
Now I've got mine, 'tis my design,
To make all you bozo's stand in Line.
(CHORUS)

My Youngest Son

My youngest son came home today
His friends marched with him all the way
The pipes and drums beat out of time
As in his box of polished pine
Like dead meat on a butcher's tray
My youngest son came home today

My youngest son was a fine young man
With a wife, a daughter, and two sons
A man he would have lived and dies
Till by a sword sanctified
Now he's a saint, or so they say
They brought their saint home today

Above the narrow Belfast streets
An Irish sky looks down and weeps
On children's blood, in gutters spilled
In dreams of freedom unfulfilled
As part of freedom's price to pay
My youngest son came home today

My youngest son came home today
His friends marched with him all the way
The pipes and drums beat out of time
As in his box of polished pine
Like dead meat on a butcher's tray
My youngest son came home today

And this time he's home to stay

Nine Against Two and a Half
Kylson Skyfyre

On a beautiful morn in the spring of 23,
In a forest by the banks of the Su,
There gathered gathered together a group who would try
To be Selveirgard's Champion or let them die.
And incidentally starting the legend known far and wide
of 9 against 2 1/2.

Some came for the dancing, and some for the feast
And to see who would live through the fray.
But the fighters all knew why they traveled that day,
When asked by their children, they'd be able to say,
"No shit, there we were...
9 against 2 1/2."

As the field filled with fighters with fire in their eyes
And bloodlust flowing in their veins,
We pondered to see who would make up the teams,
And 13 was uneven, so you know what that means.
Then someone suggested the knights hold the field;
9 against 2 1/2.

Now I see by your smile and the shake of your head
That perhaps you don't understand.
Though 3 to 1 odds seem excessive to some,
Oerthan Knights know that's when it starts to get fun!
Oh. It's the second set of numbers I need to explain.
Not the 9, but the 2 1/2.

Well Kylson had a nagi, just to keep them at range,
While Prince Brendan did fight sword and shield.
But Avaloc could muster but one arm to use
As the foe massed against them, all seem quite amused.
So with him single sword then the tally would be,
The unbelted against 2 1/2.

For six mighty battles both sides strove to win
With their ladies, oh, and lord, looking on.
Though the number of unbelted did oft flux and wane,
The challenge for the battles was always the same,
They started and ended with only this thought,
Everyone against 2 1/2.

The casualties mounted as the warriors did meet.
They were cleaved, poked, ran down and decapitated.
But the fight was uneven, as one side did fall,
And when the tallies were taken at the end of it all,
It was seen at a glance and proclaimed with a grin
(There were) not enough against 2 1/2.

Now knights have held the field before, and will hold it again,
So sagely I give this advice,
When your numbers seem superior, don't hesitate to try,
To divide, swarm and conquer; make the other side die.
Your body hurts less and likewise your pride,
remember the lesson of 9 against 2 1/2.

No Courage in Him

As I walked to the list one morn.
To view the fighters all a trainin'.
I saw two knights were standing by,
one of them his hands were wringing.

Oh dear oh, oh dear oh, my squire's
got no courage in him, oh dear oh!

All sorts of training I did provide,
all sorts of strokes that's fittin' for him.
With florentine and broadsword too,
but all this puts no courage in him.
(CHORUS)
My squire can dance and caper and sing,
all courtly things that's fittin' for him.
But still he trembles in his greaves,
for still he has no courage in him.
(CHORUS)
My squires admired wherever he goes,
all lassies they look well upon him.
With his handsome codware and famed "sweet buns",
but still he has no courage in him.
(CHORUS)
On revel nights when he goes to bed,
the ladies they all sigh behind him.
He will not...can not pleasure them,
because he has no courage in him.
(CHORUS)
Every night when he goes to bed,
a chastity belt he'll no be needing.
His armor, codwear serve instead
because he has no courage in him.
(CHORUS)
For seven long years I've trained this squire,
and still from battles he is running.
"Go change your armor!" too oft I've cried,
'cause still he has no courage in him.
(CHORUS)
I wish my squire, he were dead,
the ladies in his grave would lay him.
Lay pansies at his feet and head,
to show he had no courage in him.
(CHORUS)
Come brave knights where ere ye be,
for our sake do thou test and try `em.
Choose well the future chivalry,
Choose only those with courage in `em.
(CHORUS)

The Oak
Sean Greythorne

Come to me lady, weary of the world,
And lay your burdens down.
Take your rest in the shadows beneath my leaves,
Where you will come to no harm.

I am the ancient oak, deep in the wilds,
Your companion from childhood days.
Come to me when you are in the need of peace,
In summer's green or winter's grey.

Here is a friend who will never lie,
And your secret's won't betray.
No length of absence will remove you from my love,
Nothing will drive my care away.

I have stood since before time began,
And I'll be here when it ends.
In the heart of the forest I'll wait for you,
A faithful and silent friend.

Bring your lord into my glade, and your children, too,
As your mothers before you have done.
The goodwill I hold is for each and all,
In light of moon and light of the sun.

So, come to me my lady, weary of the world,
And lay your burdens down.
Take your rest in the shadows beneath my leaves,
Where you will come to no harm.

I am the ancient oak, deep in the wilds,
Your companion from childhood days.
Come to me when you are i need of peace,
In summer's green, or winter's grey.

Oak, Ash & Thorn
Rudyard Kipling
Bm A Bm
Of all the trees that grow so fair, old England to adorn,
A Bm
Greater are none beneath the sun than Oak and Ash and Thorn.
Bm A Bm
Sing Oak and Ash and Thorn, All on a midsummer's morn,
A Bm
Surely we sing of no little thing in Oak and Ash and Thorn.

Oak of the clay lived many a day or ever Aneas began,
Ash of the loam was a lady at home when Brut was an outlaw man.
And Thorn of the down saw New Troy town, from which was London born.
Witness hereby the ancient try of Oak and Ash and Thorn.
Chorus
Yew that is old, in churchyard mold, he breedeth a mighty bow.
Alder for shoes do wise men choose, and beech for cups also.
But when you have killed and your bowl it is filled, and your shoos are clean outworn,
Back you must speed for all that you need to Oak and Ash and Thorn
Chorus
Elm, she hates mankind, and waits 'til every gust be laid
To drop a limb on the head of him that anyway trusts her shade.
But whether a lad be sober or sad or mellow with ale from the horn
He'll take no wrong when he lieth along 'neath Oak and Ash and Thorn.
Chorus
Oh, do not tell the priest our plight, or he would call it a sin,
For we've been out in the woods all night a-conjuring summer in
And we bring you good news by word of mouth, good news for cattle & corn
Now is the sun come up from the south by Oak and Ash and Thorn.
Chorus

Oh No, Not I
Traditional (Stan Rogers)

Am/C Am/B Am/C Am/Op G Em Am
A Newfoundland sailor went walking on the strand,
D G Am/Op D Am/Op
He spied a pretty fair young maid and took her by the hand.
D G Am/Op D Am
"Oh will you come to Newfoundland along with me," he cried.
Am/C Am/B Am/C Am/Op G Em Am/Op
But the answer that she gave to him was, "Oh no, not I."

"If I were to marry you on me would be the blame.
Your friends and relations would scorn me to shame.
If you were born of noble blood, and me of low degree,
Do you think that I would marry you? It's oh no, not me."

Six months being over and nine coming on,
This pretty fair young maiden she began to look so shy.
Her corsets would not meet, and her apron would not tie.
Made her think on all the times when she said, "Oh no, not I."

Eight months being over and nine coming on,
This pretty fair young maiden she brought forth a son.
She wrote a letter to her love, to come most speedily,
But the answer that he gave to her was, "Oh no, not me."

He said "My pretty fair young maid, the best thing you can do,
Is take your child upon your back and a-begging you must go.
And it's when that you get tired, and you sit you down to cry,
You can think on all the times when you said, "Oh no, not I"

So come all you pretty fair young maids, a warning take by me.
Don't ever put your trust in the green willow tree.
For the leaves they will wither, and the root it will die.
Make you think on all the times when you said, "Oh no, not I."

Old Used Queen

Once I was a Lady of the Blood Royal, a Ruler of this land.
But now I spend my time as an old used Queen,
and find it's not so grand.
With a heigh-ho, derry, derry down I sing,
never any fun for an Old Used Queen.

My Lord spends his time out on the field,
and dreams of strawberry leaves.
I spend my days in a castle room, embroidering on his sleeves.
With a heigh-ho, derry, derry down I sing,
knit one, purl two, Old Used Queen.

The other Ladies sit and talk of Baron, Duke and King.
But when I draw near they stand and bow,
and don't tell me a thing.
With a heigh-ho, derry, derry down I sing,
Never any news for an Old Used Queen.

The Common folk may flounce and flirt, and frolic in the grass.
I'm the model of decorum, its dull as hell,
no one will make a pass.
With a heigh-ho, derry, derry down I sing,
never any love for an Old Used Queen.

But someday soon, there'll be a change, I'm learning how to fight
And my Lord will learn when I become
a Duchess in my own damn right.
With a heigh-ho, derry, derry down He'll sing,
Never any fun for an Old Used King.

On We Go

There was an old woman and there was an old man
They lived upon the high road
He once served as a jockey for his pay
She was her mother's darlin'- o

Chorus: And on we go and on we go
Can you recall the day we married-o
One we go, and one we go
Wouldn't you be frightened to die alone
Come a little closer to me, darlin'-o

Come with me you silly old man
Cozy as a codfish-o
I never seen anyone sour as you
At least not after breakfast-o

She grabbed the old man by the hand
She led him across a moonlit night
She took him to the public house
And filled him full of whiskey-o

Chorus

And on the way back home from town
Oh, oh, my darlin'-o
She pushed him in the water and she held him down
Can you recall the day we married-o

Chorus

There was an old woman and there was an old man
They lived upon the high road
He once served as a jockey for his pay
And she was her mother's darlin'-o

Chorus (repeat last line 2 times)

Parcel of Rogues

Farewell to all our Scottish fame,
Farewell our ancient glory.
Farewell e'en to our Scottish name,
So famed in martial story.

Now Sark runs o'er the Solway sands,
And tweed runs to the Ocean,
To mark where England's Province stands;
Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation.

What force or guile could not subdue
Thru' many warlike ages.
Is wrought now by a coward few
for hireling traitors' wages.

The English steel we could disdain
Secure in valor's station.
But English gold has been our bane.
Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation

Oh, would ere I had seen the day
that treason thus should fell us,
My auld grey head had lain in clay
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace.

But pith and power till my last hour,
I'll make this declaration;
We're bought and sold for English gold,
Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation.

Peacetime Soldier
"Brandywine"
D C G D
All across the middle lands, the mercenary traveled.
D C D
He fought upon the mountains across the seas.
D C G
But the mountain Lords, they raised their voices, said,
D C
"We'll have no battle. And we'd thank you very kindly,
G D
If you'd leave our fair country."

So out across the swarthy plains, the mercenary traveled.
He fought on the desert sands and burning seas.
When the desert kings, they cried,
"No more. No more will we do battle.
And we would be very happy, if you'd leave us to our peace."

It's hard for a mercenary, with no land to call his own.
When the Lord he knows, no longer goes to war.
No work for a peacetime soldier, no company and no home.
No way to earn a penny for the poor.

All across the middle seas, the mercenary traveled.
He signed himself aboard a fine galley.
But the captain said,
"We are merchant men. My boy we seek no battle.
We've a blessing from the Gods, who protect our company.

So back again to his own homeland,
The mercenary traveled.
To carve a home in the mountain vastness free.
Now a highwayman, he offers every passing merchant battle.
And a curse upon the lifetime, that taught him thievery.

CHORUS

The Peeler and the Goat
trad, arr J Henderson, S Slayton & R White

G F G D G
Oh, the Bansha Peeler went one night on duty and patrolling.
G C G D G
He spied a goat upon the road and took him for a 'strolling.
F C G D
With bayonet fixed he sallied forth and caught him by the wizen,
G C G D G
And there swore out a mighty oath he'd send him off to prison.

"Oh mercy, Sir," the goat replied, "And let me tell my story.
I am no rogue, no ribbon man, no Cocky, Whig, or Tory.
I'm innocent of any crime, both petty and high treason.
For my tribe is active at this time, it is the mating season."

"Do not complain the Peeler said, "Or give your tongue such bridle.
You're absent from your dwelling place, disorderly and idle.
Your hoary locks will not prevail, nor your sublime oration,
For the Penal Laws will you transport on your own information."

"No Penal Laws have I transgressed by deed or combination,
It's true I have no place of rest, no home or habitation.
The Bansha is my dwelling place, where I was bred and born-o
I'm of an honest working race, that's all the trade I've learned-o."

(slip into Morgan Magan-2x thru)
GGCD/GCDD/GD7GAMGC/GAMDGG

"I wager sir that you are drunk on whiskey rum or brandy,
Or you wouldn't have such gallant spunk to be so bold and manly.
You readily would let me pass had I the sterling handy,
To treat you to the poteen glass, 'tis then I'd be the dandy."

Come fill us up a flowing bowl, we'll drink a grand libation.
And toast a health to each true son through out this grand old nation.
We'll toast brave Ireland three times three with pride and acclamation.
May all her people be made free by speedy separation!

(Morgan Magan 1x)

Praise to the Moon
traditional, arr. John Renbourn ("Ship of Fools")

Praise to the Moon, bright Queen of the skies
Jewel of the Black night, the light of our eyes
Brighter than starlight, whiter than snow
Look down on us in the darkness below.

If well you should find us, and well let us stay,
Be it seven times better when you make your way.
Be it seven times better when we greet the dawn.
So light up our way and keep us from all harm.

Give strength to the weary give alms to the poor.
To the tainted and needy five senses restore
Give song to our voices. Give sight to our eyes.
To see the sun bow as a new moon shall rise.

Cast your eyes downward to our dwelling place
Three times for favor and three times for Grace.
Avert the dark clouds your face for to see
To banish misfortune and keep trinity.

In the name of the lady, Bright maiden of grace
In the name of the king of the city of peace
In the name of our savior, who hung on the Tree.
All Praise to the Moon, for eternity.

Queen of Air and Darkness
Sir Bela of Eastmarch (Poul Anderson)

It was the Ranger Arvid,
rode homeward through the hills,
among the shadowy shiver leaves,
along the Chiming Rills.
The Dance weaves under the Fire-thorn

The night wind whispered round him,
with scent of Brock and Rue.
Both moons rose high above him,
and hills afloat with dew.
The Dance weaves under the Fire-thorn

And dreaming of that maiden,
who waited in the sun,
he stopped, amazed by starlight,
and so he was undone.
The Dance weaves under the Fire-thorn

For there beneath a Barrow,
that balked athwart a moon,
the Outling Folk were dancing
in glass and golden shoon.

The Outling Folk were dancing,
like water, wind and fire.
To Ghostly, ringing harpsong
and never did they tire.
The Dance weaves under the Fire-thorn

To Arvid came she striding,
from where she watched the dance,
the Queen of Air and Darkness
with starlight in her glance.

With starlight, love and terror
in her immortal eye,
the Queen of Air and Darkness
cried softly under sky.

"Lie down, you Ranger Arvid,
and join the Outling Folk.
You need no more be human,
which is a heavy yoke."
The Dance weaves under the Fire-thorn

He dared to give her answer,
"I may do naught but run.
A maiden waits me dreaming
in lands beneath the sun.

And likewise wait me comrades,
and tasks I would not shirk.
For what is Ranger Arvid,
if he lays down his work?

Queen of Air and Darkness (cont)

So cast your spells, you Outling,
and wreak your wrath on me.
Though, maybe, you can slay me,
you'll not make me unfree."
The Dance weaves under the Fire-thorn

The Queen of Air and Darkness,
stood wrapped about with fear.
And north-light flares and beauty,
he dared not look too near.

Until she laughed like harpsong,
and said to him in scorn,
"I do not need a magic,
to make you always mourn.

I send you home with nothing,
except your memory,
of moonlight, Outling music,
night breezes, dew and me.

And that will run behind you,
a shadow on the sun,
and that will lie beside you
when every day is done.

In work, and play and friendship,
your grief will strike you dumb
for thinking what you are,
and, what you might have become.

Your dull and foolish woman,
treat kindly as you can.
Go home now, Ranger Arvid,
set free to be a man."
The Dance weaves under the Fire-thorn

In flickering and laughter,
the Outling Folk were gone.
He stood, alone, by moonlight
and wept until the dawn.
The Dance weaves under the Fire-thorn

The Quest
Words by Rudyard Kipling, Music by Leslie Fish

Am Em Am
The Knight came home from the quest.
C G Am G
Muddied and sore he came,
C G F G
Battered of shield and crest,
Am G Am
Bannerless, bruised and lame.
G Am
Fighting we take no shame.
C G F G
Wiser is man for a fall.
Am G F Em
Merrily borne, the bugle-horn
Am G Am
Answered the warder's call:

Am G Am
"Here is my lance to mend.
C G Am
And here is my horse to be shot.
G Am G Am
Aye, yes they were strong, and the fight was long,
G Am
But I gave as good as I got!
G Em Am
Yeah, I gave as good as I got!"

"So dark and deep their van
That mocked my battle-cry,
I could not miss my man,
But I could not carry by.
Utterly whelmed was I,
Flung under, horse and all."
Merrily borne, the bugle-horn
Answered the warder's call:
CHORUS
"My wounds are noised abroad,
But theirs my foeman cloaked.
You see my broken sword,
But never the blades she broke.
Paying them stroke for stroke,
Good bargaining over all."
Merrily borne, the bugle-horn
Answered the warder's call:
CHORUS
"My shame you count and know.
You say that my quest is in vain,
But you have not seen my foe,
And you have not counted his slain.
Surely he fights again, again,
But when you prove his line
There will come to your aid my broken blade
In this last, lost fight of mine.
CHORUS

Ramblin' Rover
Andy Stewart - Silly Wizard "By the Hush"

Oh there's sober men in plenty, and drunkards barely twenty
There are men of over ninety that have never yet kissed a girl.
But give me a Ramblin' Rover and from Orkney down to Dover,
We will roam the country over, and together we'll face the world.

Oh there's many that feign enjoyment, from merciless employment,
Their ambition was this deployment since the minute they left the school.
They save and scrape and ponder, while the rest go out and squander,
See the world and rove and wander, and they're happier as a rule.
(CHORUS)
I've roamed through all the nations, taken delight in all Creation,
And I've tried a wee sensation where the company did prove kind.
But when parting was no pleasure I've drunk another measure
To the good friends that we treasure for they always are in our minds.
(CHORUS)
If you're bent with arth(i)ritis, your bowels have got colitis,
You're lungs have got bronchitis, and you're thinkin' it's time you died.
If you've been a man of action though you're lyin' there in traction,
You may gain some satisfaction thinkin' Jesus at least I tried!
(CHORUS)

The Raven

You cannot take my husband
He is not fit for war
He has no gift for fighting
Ho doesn't care what you're fighting for
He is the master of this house,
He plants and tills the fields
And if you take him off to war
What will become of me?

But they bound him up in heavy chains,
And the rode him through the town
They put him on their wooden ships
And they broke his spirit down
And a fortnight later they told me
How a dagger pierced his side
How he fought to the death in the raging sea
And slowly sank and died.

Chorus: And oh the ravens
With souls like candlelight
Messengers of doom, they sit and they
Call my name each night.

You cannot take my bonny boy
You cannot take my son
He is only twenty years old
And his life is just begun
The girls all find him handsome
And the boys all find him grand
What kind of life can my bonny boy lead
With a dagger in his hand?

But they sent him off to a foreign war
And they taught him how to kill
And I heard from his friend his life
Was at an end, he had fallen deadly ill
He burned and raged with fever
It drained his body dry
It dried his heart and it dried his bones
It left no tears to cry

Chorus

You cannot take my life away
You cannot take my life
My only son's now lying cold
I am a dead man's wife
There's no one left to keep me warm
My heart is bruised and sore
Why come ye then, why come ye then?
To knock upon my door.

There's a shadow on the doorstep
It's ringing at the bell
It's knocking on the window
I know that sound so well
Death came disguised as soldiers
Death came disguised as war
Death comes disguised as a starlit night
And it calls my name once more.
Chorus (twice, slower - last line)

The Red Queen
Leigh Ann Hussey

And it's weigh hey, where the Red Queen reigns
From her throne upon the sea
With the hot rum running in our veins
We will serve you steel for tea!

I first took ship at twelve years old,
A lad both young and green.
A score of years since, I'm a pirate bold,
And many's the sights I've seen.
But the finest sight I've seen so far,
From Port Royale to Malabar,
In time of peace or time of war,
Is Anne, the pirate queen!

Chorus: And it's weigh hey, where the Red Queen reigns
From her throne upon the sea
With the hot rum running in our veins,
We will serve you steel for tea!
With the black flag flying overhead,
We will salt your beef with flying lead
And you'll regret that ever you fed
At the board of Anne Bonney!

Now some will rue their sailor's trade
when they see the bo'sun glare
And some will quake at the scrape of blades
Where powder smokes the air.
But the bravest tar that ever sailed
Would sooner face a roaring gale
Than feel his heart within him fail
At the flash of Ann's red hair.

Chorus

Come if you dare, you silly sheep
We'll shear you head to heel.
We made the jolly Dutchman weep
And the haughty Spaniard kneel
Come brig and frigate, sloop and snow;
We'll strip you clean and sink you low,
to take your grog with Davey Jo
beneath the rolling keel.

Chorus

It's rum and plunder, ho! my heart's
Our ship is trim and true
We'll set a course for distant parts
And foreign revenue
We'll sail upon the morning tide
To strop our blades on merchant hide
And we'll get glory, gold and pride
On Captain Bonney's crew!

Chorus

Riddling Maid
Words & music by Stephen K. Halter ("Jed")

A horseman he came from the Netherlands plains,
Through Iberian mounts to the foothills of Spain.
And from the first cottage, a lady came veiled,
As once a young maiden the horseman had hailed.
CHORUS
"Where do you come from? Where do you go?"
"I come from the hills, to the valley below."
"What have ye lost, sir, and what would ye find."
"I'd find me my true love, who I left behind."

"Tell me then, her colors true;
Was she golden with eyes so blue?"
"Oh no, oh no! That never could be!
They both were as black as the fine ebony."
CHORUS
"And was her complexion as dark as her hair?
Were her lips so pale and fair?"
"Oh no, she 's as white as the winter's white snows,
Her lips were as red as the ruby red rose."
CHORUS
"And when did ye leave her to wend on your way?
Would she not wed another the very next day?"
"Though it's seven long years since the first winters chill,
I swear my true lover is true to me still!"

She lifted her hand to the fine Spanish lace,
And smiled like the sun as it fell from her face.
"I would wait 'til the mountains all sank to the seas,
And seven years longer for answers like these!"

"Where do you come from? Where do you go?"
"I come from the hills to the valley below."
"What had ye lost, sir, and what did you find?"
"I found me my true love, who I left behind."

Rimini
Words by Rudyard Kipling, Music by Leslie Fish
G
When I left Rome for Lalage's sake,
C G
By the Legion's Road to Rimini,

She vowed her heart was mine to take
A D
With myself and my shield to Rimini --
C G
('Til the Eagles flew from Rimini --)

C G
And I've tramped Britain, and I've tramped Gaul,
C G
And the Pontic shores where the snowflakes fall
Am Em
As white as the neck of Lalage --
Am Em
(As cold as the heart of Lalage!)
C G
And I've lost Britain, and I've lost Gaul,
C D
And I've lost Rome and worst of all,
G
I've lost Lalage!

When you go by the Via Aurelia,
As thousands have traveled before,
Remember the Luck of the Soldier
Who never saw Rome anymore!
Oh, dear was the sweetheart who kissed him,
And dear was the mother that bore;
But his shield was picked up in the heather
And he never saw Rome anymore!

CHORUS: And he left Rome...

When you go by the Via Aurelia
That runs from the City to Gaul,
Remember the Luck of the Soldier
Who rose to be master of all!
He carried the sword and the buckler,
He mounted his guard on the Wall,
'Til the Legions elected him Caesar,
And he rose to be master of all!

CHORUS: And he left Rome...

It's twenty five marches to Narbo,
It's forty five more up the Rhone,
And the end may be death in the heather
Or life on an Emperor's throne.
But whether the Eagles obey us,
Or we go to the Ravens -- alone,
I'd sooner be Lalage's lover
Than sit on the Emperor's throne.

CHORUS: We've all left Rome...

Robin Hood and the Peddler

There was a peddler and a peddler bold,
a peddler bold there chanced to be.
He threw his pack all across his back,
and merrily he trudged o'er the lea.

By chance he met with two troublesome men,
two troublesome men there chanced to be.
And one of them was bold Robin Hood,
and the other one was Little John so free.

"Oh peddler, peddler what's in thy pack, come tell to me most speedily."
"I have the bolts of the gay green cloth, and the silken bowstrings by two and three."

"If you have the bolts of the gay green cloth,
and the silken bowstrings by two and three.
Then upon my body," cried Little John,
"half of they pack shall belong to me."

"Oh no, oh no," cried the peddler bold,
"oh no, oh no, that ne'er can be.
For there's not a man in all Nottingham,
who can take half of my pack from me!"

Then Little John he drew out his sword,
and the peddler by his pack did stand.
And there they fought till they both did sweat,
and Little John cried,"Pray hold thy hand."

Now Robin Hood, he was standing by,
and he did laugh most heartily.
"I could find a man of much smaller scale,
who could thrash that peddler and also thee."

Then Robin Hood he drew out his sword,
and the peddler by his pack did stand.
And there they fought til the blood ran down,
and Robin Hood cried, "Pray hold thy hand."

"Oh peddler, peddler what is thy name,
come tell to me most speedily."
"Oh, my name I never will tell to thee,
until thy names you have told to me."

"Now one of us is bold Robin Hood,
and the other one is Little John so free."
"Now it lies upon my own good will,
whether my name I will tell to thee."

"I'm Gamble Gold of the Gay Green Woods,
I've traveled far across the sea.
For killing a man in my fathers land,
far from my country I was bound to flee."

"If you're Gamble Gold of the Gay Green Woods,
and traveled far across the sea.
Then you are my own mother's sister's son,
what closer cousins pray could we be."

They sheathed swords with these pleasant words,
and heartily they did agree.
They went to an alehouse and there they dined,
and they cracked bottles most merrily.

Rolling Down to Old Maui

It's a damn tough life full of toil and strife
we whaler men undergo.
And we don't give a damn when the gale is done
how hard the winds did blow.
Cause we're homeward bound from the Arctic Ground
with a good ship taut and free.
And we don't give a damn when we drink our rum
with the girls of Old Maui.

Rolling down to Old Maui, me boys,
Rolling down to Old Maui.
We're homeward bound from the Arctic Ground
Rolling down to Old Maui.

Once more we sail with the northerly gale
through the ice and wind and rain.
Them coconut fronds, them tropical lands
we soon shall see again.
Six hellish months we've passed away
on the cold Kamchatka Sea.
But now, we're bound from the Arctic Ground
Rolling down to Old Maui
(CHORUS)
Once more we sail with the northerly gale
towards our island home.
Our mainmast sprung, our whaling done
and we ain't got far to roam.
Our stun's'l bones is carried away,
what care we for that sound.
A living gale is after us,
thank God we're homeward bound.
(CHORUS)
How soft the breeze through the island trees
now the ice is far astern.
Them native maids, them tropical glades
is a-waiting our return.
Even now their big brown eyes look out
hoping some fine day to see
our baggy sails, running 'fore the gales,
Rolling Down to Old Maui.
(CHORUS)

Rose You Wore for Me
Danny Carnahan & Robin Petrie ("No Regrets")
D G
As I open my eyes I can see you still
D G A
With the sunlight so gay glinting on the key
C
All buttons and bows and the bloom of the rose

You wore for me.

Oh I swore I'd return as a prince one day.
In a ship full of gold for the world to see
Yes I promised you then, though I couldn't say when
That day would be.

Now long are the days, since we lay in the field so green

And long are the nights to consider what might have been
G A G D
And the song of the leaves in the wind will call your name.

Oh the mountains just laugh when I turned for home
Never mountains so high or a man so small
Is it hours to the shore, or ten thousand miles more
Beyond recall.

Such a fool to believe all the tales they told.
Twice a fool just to kiss you and sail away.
For they lied when they told of the rivers of gold
In Cynagua.
CHORUS
If a word or a wish could transport me now
I would fly to your arms like a moth to flame.
But I'm chained and I'm bound to this cold foreign ground
With none to blame.

But does my love warm your heart through the cold north night?
Does it twine 'round your heart like the rose has grown?
Or has love burned away, leaving ashes as grey
And cold as stone.
CHORUS

ROUNDS

Babylon
Bye, the Waters, the Waters, the Waters of Babylon
We lay down and wept, and wept for thee Zion
We remember thee, remember thee, remember thee Zion

Dwarfs are Dumb
Hi Ho, Cried the Merry Dwarfs
It's off to war we (BEAT) are
To strike our foes both blind and (BEAT) (BEAT) Dumb

Heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, to the Greenwood now let us go
Sing Heigh and Ho
And there shall we find both Buck and Doe
Sing Heigh and Ho
The Hart, the Hind and the little pretty Roe
Sing Heigh and Ho

Come Follow
Come follow, follow, follow, follow, follow, follow me
Wither shall I follow, follow, follow
Wither shall I follow, follow thee
To the Greenwood, To the Greenwood,
To the Greenwood, Greenwood tree

Fairy Circle
Whistle up the wind in the tree tops
Sing the moon, in a cloud dark sky
Dance with me in a Fairy Circle
In the morning with me lie

Wind in the Pipes
Welcome to a moonfilled night of strange and wondrous tales
Of ancient Kings and mystic Rings and ships with painted sails
Of how I came to be here, and where I wish to go
And all my deepest secrets, which you will come to know.

Settle back and dream awhile and come along with me
We will walk the ancient forests and sail the deepest seas
Oh, let your hearts go rambling, there's much we have to see
From what we are this moment to what we hope to be.

The Hunt is Up
The hunt is up! The hunt is up!
And it is well nigh day.
For Harry, our King, is gone a hunting,
To bring his deer to bay.

Behold the skies, with golden dyes,
Are glowing all around.
The grass is green and so are the treen,
All laughing at the sound.

The horses snort to be at sport,
The dogs are running free.
The wood rejoice at merry noise,
Of "Hey! Tan-ta-rah-teh-ri!"

The Scotsman

Well a Scotsman clad in a kilt left the bar one evening fair.
And one could tell by how he walked, that he'd drunk more than his share.
He fumbled 'round until he could no longer keep his feet,
Then he stumbled off into the grass, to sleep beside the street

Chorus: Ring ding didle-iddle eye-dee-o!
Ring die-didle-ee-eye-o!
(last line of preceeding verse here)

About that time, two young and lovely girls just happened by,
And one says to the other, with a twinkle in her eye,
"See yon sleeping Scotsman, so strong and handsome-built,
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilts?"

Chorus

They crept up on that sleeping Scotsman quiet as could be,
And lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see.
And there, behold for them to view, beneath his Scottish skirt,
Was nothin' more than God had graced him with upon his birth!

Chorus

They marveled for a moment, then one said, "We must be gone.
Let's leave a present for our friend before we move along."
As a gift they left a blue silk ribbon, tied into a bow,
Around the bonny star the Scot's kilt did lift and show!

Chorus

Now the Scotsman woke to nature's call, and stumbled towards the trees.
Behind the bush he lifts his kilt, and gawks at what he sees.
And in a startled voice he says to what's before his eyes,
"Oh lad I don't know where ya been, but I see you won first prize!"

Chorus

Song of the Swan Maiden
Words by Margie Butler, Music by Paul Espinoza (Golden Bough - "Winding Road")

Am G
The people of the town say she's crazy,
Am E
The people of the town say she's mad.
Am G
As she wanders by the shore long hours,
Am E Am
Dreaming of the love she once had.

G Am
Many nights I've seen her weeping,
G Am
Underneath the darkened sky.
Dm Am
Many days I've heard her singing
E Am
The same sad lullaby.
G Am
I have wandered by the ocean,
G Am
Just to hear her mournful song.
Dm Am
Her heart so filled with longing,
Dm E
To the night she does belong.
CHORUS
In the cold light of the dawning,
Just as the morning sun did break,
I thought I saw her swimming,
With the swans upon the lake.
On that silent day she vanished,
Of her song there was no trace.
I walked the cliffs and meadows,
I searched in every place.

They say some strange enchanted magic
Has taken her away.
Bewitched so by her sorrow
They say that she's become a swallow
And out to sea has flown.
Some say into a willow,
Weeping she has grown.
CHORUS
Through the seasons I will wander,
Through the heather through the snow.
I'll sing it to the willow,
Surely she will know.
I'll sing it to the morning,
The song that she has given me,
Likewise unto the evening,
Someday I know she'll see.

Song to Sing-O
Words and Music by Gilbert & Sullivan

I've got a song to Sing-O, Sing me your Song-O
'Tis sung to the moon by a love lorn loon
As he fled from the mocking throng-o.
It's the song of a merry man moping mum,
Who's soul was sad and his glance was glum.
He sipped no sup and he craved no crumb,
As he sighed, for the love of a lady.

Heigh-de, Heigh-de, misery me, lackaday-de
He sipped no sup, and he craved no crumb
As he sighed for the love of a lady.

I've got a song to Sing-O, Sing me your Song-O
'Tis sung with the ring of the songs maids sing
Who love with a love life long-o.
It's the song of a merry maid purely proud,
Who loved a lord, and who laughed out loud
At the moan of the merry man moping mum.
Who's soul was sad and his glance was glum.
He sipped no sup and he craved no crumb,
As he sighed, for the love of a lady.
CHORUS
I've got a song to Sing-O, Sing me your Song-O
'Tis sung with the knell of a church yard bell,
With a doleful dirge ding dong-o.
It's a song of a Popin-Jay bravely born
Who turned up his noble nose with scorn
At the humble merry maid purely proud
Who loved a lord, and who laughed out loud
At the moan of the merry man moping mum.
Who's soul was sad and his glance was glum.
He sipped no sup and he craved no crumb,
As he sighed, for the love of a lady.
CHORUS
I've got a song to Sing-O, Sing me your Song-O
'Tis sung with a sigh and a tear in the eye
For it tells of a righted wrong-o.
It's a song of a merry maid once so gay,
Who turned on her heels and tripped away
From the peacock Popin-Jay bravely born
At the humble heart that he did not prize
She begged on her knees with down cast eyes
For the love of the merry man moping mum.
Who's soul was sad and whose glance was glum.
He sipped no sup and he craved no crumb,
As he sighed, for the love of a lady.

Heigh-de, Heigh-de misery me, lackaday-de.
His pains were o'er and he sighed no more
For he lived in the love of a lady.
Heigh-de, Heigh-de misery me, lackaday-de.
His pains were o'er and he sighed no more
For he lived in the love of a lady.

Suicide is Painless

Through early morning fog I hear
a hoarse voiced herald drawing near,
and coming from behind a spear,
he hits the ground and all do cheer.

They set the corpse on fire,
A heralds emblazoned pyre
and I can fan or feed it if I please.

They've tried so many ways to make
a tournament that won't run late.
The thrones are floating in the lake.
Oh God! And now here comes the quake!

The autocrats are trying
Their Majesties are crying
And we will take them with us if we can.

A brave man once requested me,
if a seneschal I'd be.
I looked at him, "A fool I see.
Let them blame someone else, not me!"

And seneschals are blameless
Tho they tax us and they shame us,
and we would like to leave them with you....Please?

The game of love is hard to play,
she's gonna lose it anyway.
If she won't trust him in the day,
By night suspicions he'll allay.

The roosters they are cocky
Their lines like Jabberwocky
And we will take or leave them as we please.

The sword of Paul will dent our helm,
and drive us to the nether realms.
But soon he will be overwhelmed,
for my rattan is really elm.

And now his bells they ring
He hears the angels sing,
"Here lies Paul, the Once and Future King."

The only way to win is cheat
If not by sword then by deceit.
It's not for me to be raw meat,
I'll stomp them dead to gain the seat.

The final lists are shameless
But Royalty is blameless.
I'll find a way to take them from behind.

Through the foam of beer I see
Visions of mediocrity
As angry hoards descend on me,
questioning my Poetry.

As students we are blameless
Tho' we get drunk and act shameless
We only jest - we are but here to tease.

The Taverner

At the end of a long and dusty road, in the light of a sun bound west
A mercenary rode into a town not known for its quiet or rest
To many a brothel and place of good cheer he went without causing a sight
'Til he came to the Tipsy Toad Tavern, where he stood at the bar and cried:

Taverner, taverner, harken here to me
Bring the strongest that you have and never mind the fee
Taverner, taverner, I've a thirst that's deep
And I'll see it quenched in full before I'm claimed by sleep

Well the taverner he came running up and he offered him a brew
The mercenary he drank it down and belly n all for two
Then seven more followed their company to lend, soon he'd drunk nearly a score
He was seeing pink serpentines slither, but still he kept calling for more

Chorus

Twas a foaming stream of cold brown ale, the taverner kept a still
The mercenary he drained it dry and called for stronger still
The taverner staggered his way back to the bar and poured him a mug of his best
Green it was, and it burped and it spluttered, as he answered the fighters request

Chorus

Well the mercenary he eyed that drink and the drink it eyed him back
But fighting for hire's not work you choose if it's courage that you lack
With biting and cursing the battle was joined, and great was the dust that arose
But the fighter won after one steady, and he called for another of those

Chorus

So if you have the strongest drink the taverner has to bring
Certain that your gullets strong, can handle anything
Then seek out the tavern of illest repute that stands in your city today
Swagger in with your sword as you enter, then go to the bar and say:

Chorus

Three Ravens

There were three ravens sat on a tree.
Down-a-down, hey down-a-down.
There were three ravens sat on a tree, with a-down.
There were three ravens sat on a tree,
they were as black as they might be.
With a-down, derry, derry, derry, down, down

One of them said to his mate...
Where shall we our breakfast take...

Down in yonder green field...
There lies a knight slain under his shield...

His hounds they lie down at his feet...
So well they can their master keep...

His hawks they fly so eagerly...
There's no fowl that'd dare come nie...

Down there comes a fallow doe...
As great with young as she might go...

She lifted up his bloody head...
and kist his wounds that were so red...

She got him up onto her back...
and carried him to an earthen lake...

She buried him before the prime...
She was dead herself ere eve-sung time...

God send every Gentleman...
such Hawks, such Hounds, and such a leman.
With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down.

Tinkerman's Daughter
comp M. McConnell
On Niamh Parson's "Loosely Connected"
The small birds were lining the bleak autumn branches,
Preparing to fly to a far sunny shore.
When the tinkers made camp at the bend on the river,
Coming back from the horse fair at Ballinasloe.

Now the harvest being over the farmer went walking,
All along the fair river that borders his land.
And it's there he first saw her, twixt fire light and water,
The tinkerman's daughter, the red-headed Anne.

Next morning he rose from a night without slumber.
He went straight to the father and he made his case known.
And at a pub in Listowel, they struck out a bargain:
For the tinker, a pony, to the daughter, a home.

Where the trees cast their shadows along the Fael River
The tinker and the farmer inspected the land.
And a wild gallant pony was the price they agreed on,
For the tinkerman's daughter, the red-headed Anne.

Now the wedding soon over, the tinkers departed.
They were eager to travel on south down the road.
But the crunch of the iron-shod wheels on the gravel
Was as bitter to her as the way she'd been sold.

But she tried hard to please him, she did all his bidding.
She slept in his bed, and she worked on his land.
But the walls of that cottage pressed tighter and tighter,
Round the tinkerman's daughter, the red-headed Anne.

Now as white as the hands of a priest or a hangman,
The snow spread its blanket the next winter round.
And the tinkerman's daughter got out from the bedside,
Turned her back to the land, and her face to the town.

And it's said someone saw her at dusk that same evening.
She was making her way down by Ladhairaghcrumpan.
And that was the last that the settle folk saw her,
The tinkerman's daughter, the red-headed Anne.

Where the North Kerry Hills cut the fael at Listowel,
And a farm on its banks lives a bitter old man.
And he swears by the shotgun he keeps at his bedside
That he'll kill any tinker that camps on his land.

And yet when he hears iron-shod wheels crunch on gravel,
Or a horse in the shafts of a bright caravan.
His days work tormented, his hight's sleep demented,
By the tinkerman's daughter, the red-headed Anne.

To Oertha Ho!
by Timotae Kyle Tayshun (copyright '91 Tim Tucker)

How is your appetite for something Grand?
Will your wanderlust lead you to a shining land,
Where the plates and the glasses and the hearts are full,
And the Ladies there are irresistible.

CHORUS
To Oertha Ho! Beyond the Northern Sea!
To Oertha Ho! What a Principality!
To Oertha Ho!
You should come along with me and Set Sail!
To Oertha Ho! Set Sail!
To Oertha Ho! Set Sail!
To Oertha Ho!
(on the final chorus; C G D and fade)

Pack up your fancy goods and treasures rare,
Bundle up your rations and your lady fair.
Quest with me to where the sky does glow,
Wonders are awaiting if you'll only go...
CHORUS
Known Worlde legend says you'll never find,
A friendlier folk who'll tolerate your kind.
You can talk all you wanna, you can sing off key,
Why they'll even listen to the likes of me...
CHORUS
The nights outside may be dark and cold,
But our Knights inside are mighty bright and bold.
And the icy wind our men don't seem to mind,
'Cause the ladies are the warm and friendly kind...
CHORUS
(Bawdy Verses-for bardics only!)

not usually sung And in both Winter dark and Summer bright,
Oerthan lords all joy to give delight.
Each one attentive to a maid's desires,
That's how we kindle our Oerthan fires...
CHORUS
There's no secrets there from anyone,
When you're making love beneath the midnight sun.
So you wait 'til Winter under darker skies,
When the sun goes down the ladies do likewise!
CHORUS
There's no secrets there that you can keep,
In the midnight sun - do you think we sleep?
When our lords have lips that ne'er fail to please,
And their shoulders make a pillow 'neath a lady's knees!
CHORUS
We still need a final verse to stick in here,
Or this song will be a little short I fear.
So we make up lyrics as we go along,
'Til we finally have our own Oerthan Song!
(last CHORUS - 1 extra Oertha Ho!)

To Swing a Cat
Meg Davis - "Swing the Cat"
Dm
It was just after midnight when I heard the captain Shout
F A
"Curse the Devil below, but there are rats about!"
Dm
They were streaming up the gangplank, they were crawling up the sheets,
F A Dm
Every sailor had a hundred snapping at his feet.

"What can we do?" cried the sailors as the rats began to dance,
Here a hopeless situation but we have one chance.
Every man go ashore, searching this way and that,
Don't dare to show your faces 'till you've found a cat.

F A
Swing it high, swing it low, if it hollers let it go
Dm A
If it's strong there's only one way to take care of that
Dm Gm
You must grab it by its feet, swing it high and swing it neat
Dm A Dm
You might save a life at that, if you can swing a cat.

So we sprang to the docks and we bolted through the town
Every young man alone went searching up and down.
Three hundred sailors on the loose, what do you think of that,
And every salty sailor surely found a cat.

Back to the ship we went running with our prizes,
There were cats of many colors, there were cats of many sizes.
When the rats saw us coming, sure they all began to shout
Curse the devil below but there are cats about!

Chorus

Well we set our kitties loose on that unsuspecting horde,
And the rats by the thousands scrambled overboard.
They were swept out to sea, every germy little tail
With the morning light upon us, then we hoisted sail.

Now we sail the mighty ocean, and we're such a happy crew,
With our kitties here to help us out there's nothing much to do.
If a cat catches two fish, he is sure to give you one
and they'll sing you all to sleep when your day is done

To the West

by: Siobhan ni hEodhusa

The hawk soars high o'er yonder hill, the stag bells in the glen.
The whale chants wild in waters chill, the bear dreams in her den.
They call me to return again, they set me on my way.

Chorus: Where the twilight seals the day, to the West, to the West,
I am summoned as the dreamers come before,
With my wounds all healed away, like the sun, I will rest
Where my vision leads along the Western shore.

I'll bless the bonnie ship that brings me leave and liberty.
To wend the way of saints and kings, and souls across the sea.
I'll seek the voice that sings to me, and draws me on my way.

Chorus

My eyes shall see my fortune clear, my tongue shall rightly tell.
My heart shall hold my dreaming dear, my hands shall build it well.
The land they sought, where now we dwell, is ever on my way.

Chorus

With my wounds all healed away, like the sun, I will rest,
Where my vision leads along the Western shore!

True Thomas
traditional, Danny Carnahan ("No Regrets")

Thomas lay upon the grassy bank
And beheld a lady gay,
Come ridin' oh so brisk and bold
Along the fernie brae.

Her skirt was of the silk so green
And her coat, the velvet fine,
And at each toss her horse's mane
Rang fifty bells and nine.

And Thomas did salute her
Bowing down upon one knee,
And he said, "Well met, enchanting one,
You're the flower of this country."

And as he gazed upon her
Oh, so blind in love was he,
That he has kissed her rosey lips
All 'neath the Eildon tree.

"Well now you've kissed me Thomas,
You must ride away with me.
To serve my will for seven years,
Whate'er your chance may be."

She's mounted up her snow white steed
And pulled Thomas up behind.
And, aye, whene'er her bridle rang,
They flew swift as the wind.

And on they rode, and farther on,
'Til they spied a garden green.
And she said, "Light down dear Thomas,
For we near my fair country."

"And take this bread and wine,
And lay your head down on my knee,
For when your fill you've eaten,
I will show you ferlies three."

"See you not yon rode to paradise,
How it winds through thorn and tree.
The broad road leads to the gates of Hell,
Though fair it seems to be."

"But see you not yon farther road,
Winding round the lily lee?
That is the road to my fair land,
Whence you must go with me."

"But mark you Thomas, hold your tongue,
And answer only unto me,
For should you speak unto another,
Your own home you ne'er shall see."

True Thomas (cont)

When Thomas came into the hall,
Oh, a well-bred man was he.
They've asked him questions, one and all,
But not a word spoke he.

It's of woven clouds she's made the roof,
And of flowered vines the walls.
And jewels did shower down as rain,
That night, among them all.

And each day brought Thomas wonders,
Never seen by mortal eye.
And each night brought Thomas wonders,
As next to the Lady he did lie.

But she rose, and said, "True Thomas,
Now it's time we were away,
For seven years have passed and gone,
Though it seems like seven days."

"If it's seven years my Lady,
Since my face on earth was seen,
Pray give to me some token,
That I may prove where I have been."

And it's on she rode and farther on,
To the Huntlie Banks rode she,
And she's put him down upon the ground,
Beside the Eildon tree.

"If you'd have a token Thomas,
A rare token shall it be.
For the gift I give you Thomas,
Is a tongue that cannot lie."

But he cried, "I pray you Lady,
And give not that gift to me.
For how shall I counsel prince or lord,
Or court a fair lady?"

"Be careful in your silence,
As you're careful in what you say.
May your truth outlive them all," she said,
As she turned, and rode away.

Two Magicians

Hello, hello, hello, hello you coal blacksmith,
you have done me no harm.
You never shall have my maiden-head
that I have kept so long.
I'd rather die a maid, ah, but then she said
and be buried all in me grave.
Then to have such a; nasty, husky, dusky, musty, fusky
lusty coal blacksmith, a maiden I will die.

Then she became a duck, a duck all on the stream.
And he became a water dog, and fetched her back again.
(CHORUS)
Then she became a hare, a hare out on the plain.
And he became a greyhound dog, and fetched her back again.
(CHORUS)
...a fly, a fly all in the air. ...a star, a star all in the night
...a spider, and fetched her to his lair. ...a thundercloud, and muffled her out of sight.

...a nun, a nun all dressed in white. ...a mare, that mare she was a bay.
...a canting priest, and prayed for her by night. ...a stable boy, to brush her everyday.

...a mare, as dark as the night is black ...a mouse, who scurried off to hide.
...a golden saddle and clung on to her back. ...a black tom cat, and by her hole did bide.

...a tree, that tree it was a pine. ...a glove, a glove all made of fur.
...an ivy plant, that 'round her limbs did twine. ...a cold, cold man, and put his hand in her.

...a house, a house along the way. ...a ring, a ring all made of gold.
...a wayfarer, and entered her by day. ...a jeweler, to have her and to hold.

...a dove, and flew up in the air. ...a ghost, and vanished all away.
...an old cock pigeon, and they flew fair and fair. ...a magicker, and summoned her to stay.

...a rose, a rose all in the wood.
...a bumble bee, and kissed her where she stood.

...a storm, a storm so violent.
...the ground beneath, to take whate'er she sent.

She went into her room, and changed into a bed.
And he became a coverlet and gained her maiden-head.

Hello, hello, hello, hello. Hello, hello, hello, hello.
Hello, hello, hello, hello you coal blacksmith.

Unquiet Grave
Cold blows the wind to my true love,
and gently drops the rain.
I only have but one true love
and in Greenwood she lies slain.

I'll do as much for my true love,
as any young man may.
I'll sit and mourn all on her grave
for twelve months and a day.

When twelve months and a day were past,
her ghost began to speak.
"Why sit just now, all on my grave,
and will not let me sleep."

"There is one thing that I want, sweetheart,
there is one thing that I crave.
And that is a kiss from your lily white lips,
then I'll go from your grave."

"My lips they are as cold as clay,
my breath smells awfully strong.
And if you kiss my cold, clay lips
your days they won't be long."

"Go fetch me water from the desert,
and blood from out of a stone.
Go fetch me milk from a fair maid's breast
that young men never have known."

"'Twas down in Cupid's Garden,
where my love and I did walk.
The fairest flower that ere I saw
is withered to a stalk."

"The stalk is withered and dry, Sweetheart,
the flower ne'er returns.
And since I lost my own true love,
what can I do as one?"

"When shall we meet again, my love?
When shall we meet again?"
"When the oaken leaves that fall from the tree,
turn green and spring up again."

Valley of Dreams
Tymmotae Kyle Tayshun

Crystal drops falling
The mist will come callng me
I follow the light
To the stall of a white winged unicorn

And together we fly from the forest
The sky is its warmest blue
As he and I rise
We are free in the skies-we are heaven-borne
In the light of a golden morn

Over the meadows
Of clover and pebble streams
I I hear all around
Playing clearly the sound of a lover's tune

We descend to a beautiful clearing
The flute I am hearing now
Is played by a maiden
Who lay in the shade in the afternoon
Under a crescent moon

And she says I'm the one she's been waiting for
To come in from the real world outside
To find her there
And we dance for what seems like eternity
We make love in the soft summer beams
That fill the air
In the Valley of Dreams

Night falls so soon
And the white winged unicorn
Says, "Time to depart."
And I climb on and start crying quietly

She just smiles and she blows me a kiss
For she knows that I'll miss her so
Her lakey blue eyes
As I take to the skies are still watching me
And I think they will always be

For she says I'm the one she's been waiting for
To come in from the real world outside
To find her there
And I know I'll return there eventually
To the banks of the sparkling streams
And she'll be there
In the Valley of Dreams

Viking Love Song
by Justin ap Seas

Em G
Oh I'm a sturdy Viking lad, with hairy chest and chin
Em B7
To match my furry garments so you can't tell where they end;
Em D C Am
I'm hung just like a horse to keep a lady satisfied,
C Am C D Em
And now I've come down from the North to hunt me up a bride.

I saw you in your father's fields, and knew him to be rich,
So I cut his legs off at the knees and tossed him in a ditch;
I plundered all his cattle, and I took his larder, too,
And now I hie me back to Jarl with hopes to marry you.

CHORUS
G Em
I'm a Man! A Viking Man!
C D (tacit) Em
And what's more (worse) - I think I'm in love.

I've lots of wealth to offer, and that's truly not a boast.
For I've half the wealth of half the farms along the Eastern coast.
I've slaughtered all your family just to prove to you my heart,
And by your hair I've drug you home, so we need not be apart.

I've also many servants that will also be as yours-
There's Gertrude and Brunhilda, who can help you with the chores,
And there's young Lena, whom upon a former maid I sired
And I bed one down each night, so you need not get tired.
CHORUS
Yes, I'm a sturdy Viking lad, a fine catch to be sure,
And though I smell much like an ox, my heart is Viking pure...
And I thank Odin, I thank Frey, for smiling on my life,
For on, for us, this lucky day, you shall become my wife.
CHORUS

Viking Love Song- Reply

Oh I'm a lovely Celtic lass of fine upstanding stock
Before you hie me anywhere, pray how long is your pedigree
I know you wish to wed me, but before you have my hand
You must meet my standards, or I'll geld you where you stand

When you came and drug me off all reeling stoned and drunk
I knew that you weren't long on brains, but my you are a hunk
Now I forgive your wit, 'cause I think your strong and bold
But you had better let me run the house, and keep the gold

'Cause I'm a maid, a Celtic maid
And what's more, you think your in love

While we're talking money, though, I must make one thing clear
If you want to bed me there's some things you must adhere
If you kick off, the things you own all gIo to me and mine
Cuz that's the Celtic way, my love, and I like it just fine

And yes I'll keep the house and make sure things are good
But make sure that you're out enough to keep us stocked with food
And if you want to rotate servants that may be astute
Besides I've noticed that your shield man Rolf is kind of cute

'Cause I'm a maid, a Celtic maid
And what's more, you think your in love

Yes I'm a lovely Celtic lass well versed in Celtic word
And I like my men big and strong and handy with a sword
And I thank Min for this, the Celtic law that I adhere
For you will be my seventh big strong husband now this year

'Cause I'm a maid, a Celtic maid
And what's more, you think you're in love

Viking Love Song - Reply 2
Anastacia the Terror

Am C
Oh I'm a pretty Celtic lass, with more than average brains.
Am E
You think that I will be impressed by your ill-gotten gains.
Am
You strut your stuff but we all know that it's unfounded pride.
F Am
And now you have the nerve to think I would be your bride.

You said that you had traveled far, and bragged that you were rich.
You cut off my father's legs and tossed him in a ditch.
You plundered all his cattle and took his larder, too.
And now you hie me back to Jarl and think I'll marry you?

Chorus: Am C Am
Not a chance, Viking man,
F Am
And what's more, you think you're in love!

I don't believe that you're so great, or do more than just boast.
For I heard you had all the sheep along the Eastern coast!
Of women you are frightened and will not even flirt,
You only drag them by their hair, so they don't fill up with dirt!

You say you've many servants that will also be as mine.
There's Gertrude and Brunhilde who's help would be just fine.
But as for young Lena, who's child you think you sired,
Rumor has it you swing both ways, who is is that gets tired?

Chorus: Am C Am
Cuz you're no man, a girly man,
F Am
And what's worse, you smell like an ox!

You say that we'll be happy, that your heart is Viking pure.
Hairy men just turn me off, of that I am quite sure.
So I give to you my answer, me in a Viking life?
When Summer Solstice freezes...I shall become your wife.

Chorus: Am C Am
Cuz you're a man, a Viking man,
F Am
And what's worse, you think you're in love!

(repeat last chorus)

Vivat the Dream

The Known World remembers, the laughter and tears
This Dream we've been dreaming, for thirty-some years
And in celebration, we gather as then
To be certain the Dream comes alive once again.

Chorus: So sing Vivat the Dream, may it live long
In hearts and in poetry, story and song
For all men need a dream, as we all ken
And each time that we gather, we dream it again.

Chivalry, courtesy, honor and love
Are ideas that we cherish, for love above all
Ideas are a fire, in the hearts of all men
And each time we gather, we dream it again.

Chorus

Each morning the lady, feels strength in his arms
Each lady a lord, for to keep her from harm
'Tis love and the Dream, brings together all men
Ad each time that we gather, we dream it again.

Chorus

The Known World remembers the laughter and tears
This Dream we've been dreaming, for thirty-some years
And in celebration, we gather as then
To be certain the Dream comes alive once again.

Chorus X 2

Volga Birthday

Happy Birthday (unh), happy birthday (unh),

Doom, destruction and despair, people dying everywhere.

Happy birthday (unh), happy birthday (unh).

May the cities in your wake,
burn like candles on your cake.

Hear the women wail and weep,
kill them all but spare the sheep.

You must be wedded very soon,
the baby's due the next full moon.

Now you've reached the age you are,
your demise cannot be far.

Now your jail-bait days are done,
lets go out and have some fun.

'Twas bad enough your hair turned grey,
but now it's falling out they say.

They steal your sword, your gold, your house;
they take your sheep but not your spouse.

Your servants steal, your wife's untrue
your children plot to murder you.

Happy birthday (unh), happy birthday (unh).

The Wall

There in the tower stands the lady, her eyes clouded and far away.
In the forest below her lover waits,patiently for the end of the day.

The Lord, the lady's father, has forbade they speak.
She will wed a noble knight, not some minstrel from the street.

The minstrel watches as the sun sets, and the lady's hair catches flame
Longing wounds him anew, in his heart echoes her name.

A wall stands between two who should be one.
A father's pride, as cold as stone.

Steel hooks, gleaming in the night, carries the rope, over the wall.
The minstrel scales within, following his heart's call.

A harp rides his back, no sword has he.
A ghost in the shadows, he finds the lady's door.

There she stands by the window, waiting, dressed to travel, disguised as a man.
She carries a purse of her father's gold, and this she places in his hand.

A wall is all left standing in their wake,
One kiss they risk before the fade into the night.

Morning comes and her father rages, his soldiers reach the countryside.
Neither is ever found, in the night her father cries.

Where did they go, where did they run to, wonders the father as he dies.
Years have gone by without a word, rich and mighty he dies alone.

Beyond the walls of birth and station, happily the minstrel and his lady thrive.
Their kingdom is the road, the woods, and the stars.

Walls of pride hold love out, not in.
My tale, my song, lords and ladies, is done.

Waltzing with Bears

Wa, Wa, Wa Wa, Waltzing with Bears.
Raggedy Bears, Shaggy Bears, Baggy Bears too.
There's nothing on earth Uncle Walter won't do,
So he can go Waltzing, Wa Wa Wa Waltzing,
So he can go Waltzing, Waltzing with Bears.

I went upstairs in the middle of the night.
I tiptoed in, and I turned on the light.
To my surprise there was no one in sight.
My Uncle Walter goes dancing at night.

(CHORUS)

I gave Uncle Walter a new coat to wear,
When he came home it was covered in hairs.
Lately I've noticed several new tears.
I'm afraid Uncle Walter goes Waltzing with Bears.

(CHORUS)

We told Uncle Walter that he should be good,
And do all the things that we said he should.
I think he would rather be out in the wood.
I'm afraid we might lose Uncle Walter for good.

(CHORUS)

We begged and we pleaded,"Oh, Please won't you stay?"
We managed to keep him at home for a day.
But the Bears all barged in and they took him away.
Now he's dancing with Pandas, he can't understand us,
The Bears all demand at least one dance a day.

Chorus 2x

We Are the Chivalry

We've all been touched by royalty
We wear a white sword belt
And whether on or off the field,
Our presence, it is felt.

One warning we would give to all
Please list to what we say.
Unless you also wear the belt
Best not get in the way!

Chorus: Oh we are called the Chivalry
Our swords are very strong.
And while our steel controls the field
Well, we can do no wrong!

Our ranks are filled with the elite,
The rest are cannon fodder.
And as for social graces, well,
We never have to bother!

For in this current royal age,
We're royalty, not servants.
And if your armor's thick enough,
Who needs to be observant?

Chorus

We're proud of being barbarous,
Our manners are alarming.
But when your arm's as strong as ours,
Why bother being charming?

If someone dares to criticize,
In word or deed or song,
We challenge him to trial at arms,
And show the world he's wrong!

Chorus

If someone rises in the field,
To challenge our control,
He doesn't worry us a bit,
However brave or bold..

This man will not remain a threat,
He'll not create a fuss,
We'll just give him a belt like ours,
And he'll be one of us!

Chorus

Weary Cutters

Oh, the weary cutters and Oh, the weary sea.
Oh, the weary cutters have taken my laddie from me.

They pressed him for faraway foreign
Where he'll soon be on the salt sea.

Oh, the lousy cutters, and Oh, the weary sea.
Oh, the lousy cutters have stolen my laddie from me.

They always come in the night, they never come in the day.
They come at night and steal the laddies away.

Oh, the weary cutters and Oh, the weary sea.
Oh, the weary cutters have taken my laddie from me.

I'll give the cutter a guinea, I'll give the cutter no more,
I'll give him a guinea to steal my laddie ashore.

Oh, the weary cutters and Oh, the weary sea.
Oh, the weary cutters and Oh, the weary sea.

Well (Braw) Burn the Bridges

Bide a while, you bonnie hours of sweet yesterday
Stay away, the thought that ever will I forget
Long the winding way unrolls afore my eyes
And the memory will be sweeter yet.

Chorus: Aye, the road was heading from the lass
That I will always remember
Well (braw) burn the bridges far behind me in the rain
The leaves were changing to the colors of the glowing embers
My heart lies waiting for the spring to come...again.

Have we run the glass or dare we dream of more?
While as surely as the river meets the sea?
When the Eastly wind has blown the forest bare
Will the parting all the wider be.

Chorus

Could I linger on you well-loved face again,
If this travel's turn should bring me to your side,
Fain would I no longer stake my heart with pain
Or lay curse upon the ocean wide.

Chorus

Westmere Land
Pale was the wounded knight,
that bore the Rowan shield,
Loud and cruel were the raven's cries,
that feasted on the field.

Saying, "Beck water, cold and clear,
will never clean your wounds.
There's none but the Maid of the Winding Mere,
can make thee hale and sound."

"So course well, my brindled hounds,
and fetch me the mountain hare.
Who's coat is as green as the West water
or as white as the lily fair.

Who said, "Green moss, and heather bands
will never staunch the flood,
there's none but the Witch of the Westmere land
can save thy dear life's blood.

So turn, turn your stallion's head,
till his red mane flies in the wind.
And the rider of the moon goes by,
and the bright star falls behind.

And clear was the paley moon,
when his shadow passed him by.
Below the hill was the brightest star
when he heard the owlet cry.

Saying, "Why do you ride this way,
and wherefore came ye here?"
"I seek the Witch of the Westmere land,
that dwells by the Winding Mere."

"Then fly free your good grey hawk,
to gather the golden rod.
And face your horse into the clouds
above yon gay green wood."

And its weary by Ullswater,
and the misty Brakefern way.
Till through the cleft of the Kirkstane Pass,
the winding water lay.

He said, "Lie down, my brindled hounds,
and rest my good grey hawk.
And thee my steed may graze thy fill,
for I must dismount and walk.

Westmereland(Cont)

But come when you hear my horn,
and answer swift the call,
for I fear ere the sun shall rise this morn,
you will serve me the best of all.
Westmere land cont.

And it's down to the water's brim,
he's borne the Rowan Shield.
And the Golden Rod he hast cast in,
to see what the lake might yield

And wet rose she from the lake,
and fast and fleet gaid she.
One half the form of a maiden fair,
with a jet black mare's body.

And loud, loud and shrill he blew,
and his steed was by his side.
High overhead his grey hawk flew,
and swiftly he did ride.

Saying, "Course well, my brindled hounds,
and fetch me the jet black mare
Stoop and strike my good grey hawk,
and bring me the maiden fair."

She said, "Pray sheath thy silvery sword,
lay down thy Rowan Shield,
for I see by the briny blood that flows,
You've been wounded in the field."

And she's bound his wounds with the Golden Rod,
full fast in her arms he lay.
And he has risen hale and sound,
with the sun high in the day.

She said, "Ride with your brindled hounds at heel,
and your good grey hawk in hand.
There's none can harm a knight what's lain,
with the Witch of the Westmere Land."
(repeat)

When I'm King No More
Kylson Skyfyre (sung to the Beatles tune "When I'm 64")
When I'm an "Old King" and I step down
Not too far from now,
Will they still consider me the regal sort?
"Hey there, handsome, see you in court."
When they walk by me, will they still smile,
And bow down to the floor?
Will they still need me, will they still heed me,
When I'm King no more?

If I get hungry, late in the day,
When the fights are done,
Will they still invite me to the Royal Feast?
Sit at High Table, carve the Roast Beast.
Bottomless goblets, seconds and thirds,
and sometimes, even four.
Will they still need me, will they still feed me,
When I'm King no more?

When I'm an "Old King" and I don't fight,
Many years from now,
Will we still get passionate on the Tourney Field?
Clothing displacement, offers to yield.
Will you believe me when I want to sleep,
Or will you ask for more?
Will they still need me, will they still breed me,
When I'm King no more?

White Unicorn II

I am he, you stick on your window pane,
I am he that haunts your days.
I am he that maidens once sought in vain,
Long dead and now the latest craze.
When you get letters from your friends,
Each page of them I will adorn.
My reign of cuteness never ends,
I am the White Unicorn.

My horn of silvery tinsel is honed,
My shoulders bear butterfly wings.
I am the teddy bear you never had,
I am the song the smurfs all sing.
One look into my big brown eyes,
no deeper than a children's poem,
Adults are so quick but to hypnotize,
You'll buy me and you'll take me home.

My coat is as white as the purest snow,
My face is to cute to hide.
Prison me not in that box with a bow,
I'm scared, it may be dark inside.
Oh what a cruel blow you've dealt,
You gave me to a child of three.
Her heart's to pure and will not melt,
And she is as cute as me.

I am he, that's stuck to a candy cane,
Off-white and with a bright blue patch.
I am he with chocolate smeared through my mane,
By gosh, I think I've met my match!
How could you leave me in her care,
Mistreated and forlorn.
Her grubby hands clenched in my hair,
One shabby White Unicorn.

Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?

Oh, the summer time is coming,
and the wee birds sweetly singing.
And the wild mountain thyme
grows around the blooming heather.

Will ye go, lassie, go?
And we'll all go together, to pull wild mountain thyme
All around the blooming heather.
Will ye go, lassie, go?

I will build my love a bower,
near yon pure crystal fountain.
And on it I will pile,
all the flowers of the mountain.

(CHORUS)

If my true love won't go with me,
I will surely find another.
Where the wild mountain thyme
grows around the blooming heather.

(CHORUS)

Win Crown
Godytha of Whiteraven and Asahla Telerion
(tune: Downtown)

When you're alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go: Win Crown!
When you feel grotty all the groupies and toadies seem to help, I know: Win Crown!
Just listen to the fawning of the sycophants and phonies,
Linger on the eric with your buddies and your cronies,
Drinking a beer.

Chorus:

The belts are much whiter there, and you can triple your phone bill, and cripple your car
When you win crown. Things will be great when you: Win Crown!
You're the head of state when you: Win Crown!
Everyone's waiting for you!

Don't hang around with other dogmeat around you, there are knights to stalk: Win Crown!
Maybe you know some little passes or blows to where they never block: Win Crown!
Just listen to the rhythm of the crashing of the armor.
You'll be smashing with 'em or off flirting with some charmer
Who wants to be Queen.

Chorus

Think of the joys of tactic planned with the boys at tourneys and at wars: Win Crown!
Gifts you will get from people you've never met at courts held by the score: Win Crown!
And you may find some lady kind and organized to fight for,
She can do the paperwork and sew your costumes right for
You to enjoy!

Chorus

Winter Rose
Trad, arr Meg Davis (Dream of Light Horses)
Chorus chords adapted Robin White
D G A D
Of all of the flowers in my garden green,
G D G D
I wait for the one rose that rarely is seen.
D G D
I cannot attend it, nor watch as it grows.
G D A D
I wait for the blooming of my winter rose.

G D A D
For she loves the crystal, the ice and the frost,
G D E7 A
And finds all the secrets that others have lost.
D D7 A D
And when deep in silence no common flower grows,
G D A D
It's there I find blooming my one winter rose.

Flowers are standing inside the great hall,
Their fragrance is cherished by one and by all.
We braid them in wreaths to put crowns in our hair,
Or toss them on high to fragrance the air.

And when all the blossoms are withered and dry,
I turn from the loss of the flowers that have died.
For there 'neath a blanket of slumbering snow,
Comes blooming and smiling, my one winter rose.

And when winter comes begging the streets of the town,
And the winds are alive with a bell ringing sound.
The people do wonder why I may be seen,
Walking in gardens that once were so green.

Though the world may grow colder with each breath of frost,
I'll forget all the dreams, and the loves that I've lost.
For I've found what I've wished for as everyone knows,
In the blooming and caring of my winter rose
CHORUS

Yevgenia and the Snow Dragon

Words and music Meg Davis ("Captain Jack and the Mermaid")
Dm Dsus2 Dsus4 Dm
Far, far away where the snow is always falling,
C Am Em Esus4 A Asus4
Lived a handsome fellow and his lady fair.
A7 Dm Dsus2 Dsus4 Dm
And there they loved in the forest, deep within the mountains
C Am E A
Where the frosted moonbeams danced on frozen air.

One day Yevgenia coming to his lady,
Found she was crying, weeping and swooning.
"Oh, my Yevgenia," cried the lovely lady,
"I am so lonely for one sight of spring."

(INTERLUDE using Chorus Chords)

Spring does not come here, nor does brother summer,
Here ice and snow lay as icy Kingdom Kings.
The Snow Dragon watches over land and seas side,
And death be to those who speak of summer rain.

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