House Strangeways Songbook (2008)

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House Strangeways
Songbook
Being a compilation of songs sung by the
Household and friends.

1

Table of Contents

Pirate Birthday Song................................................................................................4
Brannigan's Special Ale............................................................................................4
March of Cambreadth..............................................................................................6
I Care Not For These Ladies.....................................................................................7
Pastyme With Good Company..................................................................................8
Star of the County Down..........................................................................................9
Scarborough Fair....................................................................................................10
The Old Dun Cow...................................................................................................11
The Moose Song.....................................................................................................12
Jingle Bang (A Lusty Young Smith)..........................................................................15
A Grazing Mace......................................................................................................16
Fiddler's Green.......................................................................................................17
Brennan on the Moor..............................................................................................18
The Birthday Dirge.................................................................................................19
Barret's Privateers..................................................................................................22
Song of the Shield-Wall..........................................................................................24
Watkins Ale............................................................................................................25
Hey, Ho, Nobody Home..........................................................................................28
Wee Be Souldiers Three.........................................................................................29
Ye Jacobites By Name.............................................................................................30
Three Blinde Mice...................................................................................................33
Deo Gracias Anglia (AKA: Agincourt Carol).............................................................33
Sumer is Icumen In................................................................................................34
Synge We To This Mery Cumpane..........................................................................35
Tobacco Fumes.......................................................................................................36
Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!...........................................................................................37
Green Grow the Rushes, HO!.................................................................................38
I Am Cow................................................................................................................39
Pirates Of Saskatchewan........................................................................................39
History Is Made By Stupid People...........................................................................41
Health to the Company..........................................................................................42
The Scotsman........................................................................................................43
Illa Fuit...................................................................................................................43
Celtic Jihad Rap......................................................................................................44
I'll See Your Six!.....................................................................................................44
Catalan Vengeance (aka, the 6 Gold Rings song)...................................................46
Serious Steel (Bringing the War Home)..................................................................48
Shag Foreign Fighters.............................................................................................49
Siuil a ruin..............................................................................................................50
Last Saskatchewan Pirate......................................................................................51
History Is Made By Stupid People...........................................................................53
2

Pirate Birthday Song

music: Traditional
lyrics: Heather Alexander
To the tune of "Blow the Man Down"

You say it's your birthday, well, tell me who cares.
Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
We'll tie up your feet, make you walk down the stairs.
Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
A cake with the candles all over the place.
Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
When you make a wish, they blow up in your face.
Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
Yo-ho, Yo-ho, Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
You'll get lots of presents, tied up in a sack.
Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
And when you unwrap them, we'll take them all back.
Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
But we love you; so don't get us wrong.
Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
Just wanted to tease you with this nasty song
Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
Yo-ho, Yo-ho, Yo-ho, so it's your birthday.
Brannigan's Special Ale

music & lyrics: Heather Alexander

Within the town of Sutter Down,
there is a tavern tale-
You never do think you to take a small drink you

4

of Brannigan's Special Ale-
Start seein' things real funny,
and given half a chance,
Start swirling around and you'll then tumble down
and the mice on your head will all dance!
You'll see unicorns and dragons,
and a castle made of gold-
A feast of all feasts with fantastical beasts,
of the likes which you've never been told-
You'll fly on a magic carpet,
on a purple sea you'll sail-
You can talk to the fish because you had the wish,
to drink Brannigan's Special Ale!
You may be a rich and noble king,
in a castle great and grand-
You dare not go to sleep when you're counting the sheep,
of all the herds in the land-
The count is on a parchment,
which is stolen by a gale-
Losing count is quite dread, now you're losing your head,
all from Brannigan's Special Ale!
You may be a powerful wizard,
and know every kind of spell-
You know all of the names of the demons in flames,
even those who would never dare tell-
A beautiful lady seeks your craft,
to make her skin more pale-
But your spell has gone wrong, now her nose is too long,
all from Brannigan's Special Ale!
Perchance within this drunken dream,
you'll think yourself a knight-
Whose been knocked off your horse, but it's all in due course,
your opponent has won the fight-
She strips off all her armor,
removes her dress of mail-
Try hard not to stare because you took the dare,
to drink Brannigan's Special Ale!
I'm telling you my young friends,
here's not that can avail,

5

You'll be lost forever, that's why you should never
Drink Brannigan's Special Ale!
March of Cambreadth , The

music & lyrics: Heather Alexander

Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining armour's piercing ring
Horses run with polished shield,
Fight Those Bastards till They Yield
Midnight mare and 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!
Follow orders as you're told,
Make Their Yellow Blood Run Cold
Fight until you die or drop,
A Force Like Ours is Hard to Stop
Close your mind to stress and pain,
Fight till 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 Any More
Use your shield and use your head,
Fight till Every One is Dead
Raise the flag up to the sky,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Dawn has broke, the time has come,
Move Your Feet to a Marching Drum
We'll win the war and pay the toll,
We'll Fight as One in Heart and Soul
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to Keep this Land Your Own
Sound the horn and call the cry,

6

How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
REPEAT FIRST VERSE
I Care Not For These Ladies

T. Campion, printed 1601
From "The Elizabethan Handbook", p. 98

I care not for these ladies
That must be woo'd and pray'd
Give me sweet Amaryllis
The wanton country maid,
Nature Art disdaineth,
Her beauty is her own:
Chorus:
And when we court and kiss
She cries 'Forsooth, let go!'
But when we come where comfort is
She never will say no.
If I love Amaryllis
She brings me fruit and flowers
But if we love these ladies
We must bring golden showers
Give them gold that sell love
Give me the nut-brown lass
Chorus
These ladies must have pillows
And beds by strangers wrought
Give me a bow'r of willows
Of moss and leaves unbought,
And fresh Amaryllis
On milk and honey fed,

7

Chorus
Pastyme With Good Company (The Kynges Ballade)

by Henry VIII
Notes: This song is preserved in a manuscript now residing at the British Museum
(B.M. Addl. MSS. 31,922; Addl. MSS. 5,665; MSS. Reg. Appendix 58). Both words
and music are almost certainly written by Henry VIII of England, the royal tyrant.
In the work The Complaynt of Scotland, 1548, the author mentions "Pastance with
gude companye" as being among the popular songs of Scotland, in the early part
of the sixteenth century.

Passetyme with good companye
I love, and shall until I dye;
Grugge who wyll, but none deny,
So God be pleeyd, this lyfe wyll I:
For my pastaunce,
Hunt, syng, and daunce,
My hert ys sett;
All godely sport,
To my comfort,
Who shall me lett?
Youth wyll have nedes dalyaunce,
Of good or yll some pastaunce,
Companye me thynketh them best,
All thouts and fantasyes to dygest.
For ydleness,
Ys chef mastres
Of vices all:
Than who can say,
But passe the day
Ys best of all.
Company with honeste,
Ys vertu and vyce to flee;

8

Company ys gode or yll,
But ev'ry man hath hys frewylle;
The best I sew,
The worst eschew,
My mynd shall be:
Vertue to use,
Vyce to refuse,
I shall use me.
Star of the County Down

Words and Music: Irish Traditional

Near to Banbridge Town, in the County Down
One morning in July,
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen,
And she smiled as she passed me by;
Oh, she looked so neat from her two white feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair,
Sure the coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself
To make sure I was standing there
Chorus:
Oh, from Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay,
And from Galway to Dublin town,
No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down.
As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling quare,
And I said, says I, to a passer-by,
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"
Oh, he smiled at me, and with pride says he,
"That's the gem of Ireland's crown,
She's young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann,
She's the Star of the County Down."
Chorus

9

I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began;
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rose McCann.
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown,
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the Star of the County Down.
Chorus
At the crossroads fair I'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
And I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies
On the heart of the nut-brown Rose.
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Though with rust my plow turns brown,
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the Star of the County Down.
Scarborough Fair (with Canticle)

Words and Music by : Traditional
Canticle by : Simon and Garfunkel

Are you going to Scarborough Fair:
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.
On the side of a hill in the deep forest green.
Tracing of sparrow on snow-crested brown.
Blankets and bedclothes the child of the mountain
Sleeps unaware of the clarion call.
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt:
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme;

10

Without no seams nor needle work,
Then she'll be a true love of mine.
On the side of a hill a sprinkling of leaves.
Washes the grave with silvery tears.
A soldier cleans and polishes a gun.
Tell her to find me an acre of land:
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme;
Between the salt water and the sea strand,
Then she'll be a true love of mine.
War bellows blazing in scarlet battalions.
Generals order their soldiers to kill.
And to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten.
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather:
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme;
And gather it all in a bunch of heather,
Then she'll be a true love of mine.
Are you going to Scarborough Fair:
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.
The Old Dun Cow

Words and Music by: Traditional

Some friends and I in a public house
Was playin' 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 your Aunt Mariah?"
"Oh me Aunt Mariah be bugged," says he,
"The bleedin' pub's on fire!"
"Oh," says Brown, "What a bit o' luck,
everybody follow me.
It's down to the cellar, if the fire's not there,

11

Oh, we'll have a grand old spree."
So we all went down with good old Brown
And the booze we could not miss
We hadn't been there ten minutes or more
'Til we were quite like this ----
CHORUS:
Aaaaaaaaaaand...
There was Brown, upside down,
A moppin' up the whiskey on the floor
"Booze, booze!", the fireman cried
As they come a-knockin' at the door. (thump thump)
"Oh, don't let 'em in 'til it's all mopped up."
Somebody shouted "MacIntyre!" (MacIntyre!)
And we all got blue-blind, paralytic drunk,
When the Old Dun Cow caught fire.
Then Smith run over to the portwine tub
And gave it a few hard knocks (Thump thump)
Started takin' off his pantaloons, likewise his shoes and socks.
"Hold on," says Brown, "That ain't allowed.
You can't do that there here.
Don't go washin' your trotters in the portwine tub
When we got Guinness's beer!"
CHORUS
And then there came a mighty crash,
Half the bloody roof caved in.
We was drowned in the firemen's hose,
Though we were almost .... happy.
So we got some tacks and old wet sacks,
And we tacked ourselves inside.
And we sat there getting bleary-eyed drunk
When the Old Dun Cow caught fire.
The Moose Song

Words by: Thomas Payton, et. al.
Tune of: Sweet Betsy From Pike
12

When I was a young girl (man) I used to like boys (girls),
I fondled their tights (bodies) and played with their toys (curls),
But me boy (girl) friend ran off with a salesman named Bruce,
You'd never get treatment like that from a moose!
CHORUS:
So it's moose, moose, I like a moose,
I've never had anything quite like a moose,
I've had many lovers, my life has been loose,
But I've never had anything quite like a moose!
Now when I'm in need of a very good lay,
I go to me stables and gets me some hay,
I opens me window and spreads it around,
'Cause moose always comes when there's hay on the ground!
CHORUS
Now I've made it with all kinds of beasties with hair,
I'd make it with snakes if their fangs were not there,
I've made it with walrus, two ducks and a goose,
But I've never had anything quite like a moose!
CHORUS
Now gorillas are fine for a Saturday night,
And lions and tigers, they puts up a fight,
But it just ain't the same when you slams your caboose
As the feeling you gets when you humps with a moose!
CHORUS
I've tried many beasties on land or on sea
I've even tried hump-backs that humped back on me!
Sharks are quite good, tho they're hard to pull loose
But on dry land there is nothing quite like a moose!
CHORUS
Woodchucks are all right except that they bite
And foxes and rabbits won't last thru the night!
Cows would be fun, but they're hard to seduce
But you never need worry should you find a moose!

13

CHORUS
Step in my study, and trophies you'll find
A black striped tiger and scruffy maned lion
You'll know the elephant by his ivory tooth
And the one that's a-winking, you know is the mooth!
CHORUS
The lion succumbed to a thirty-ought-six
Machine guns and tigers I've proved do not mix
The elephant fell by a bomb with a fuse
But I won't tell a soul how I did in the muse!
CHORUS
I've found many women attracted to me
A few of them have had me over for tea
Some say that they love me when they're feeling loose
But I'd trade the world's women for one lovely moose!
CHORUS
The good Lord made Adam, and then He made Eve
Said He: "If you sin now, I'll ask you to leave!"
They left not because of Eve's forbidden fruit
But 'cause Adam decided the moose there were cute!
CHORUS
The English are said to like boars who've had corn
The Celtics just dream of the young unicorn
The Germans, it's said, just need leather and rope
But give me a moose and I'll no longer mope!
CHORUS
Now I've broken the laws in this god-awful state
They've put me in prison and locked up the gate
They say that tomorrow I'll swing from a noose
But my last night I'll spend with a good sexy moose!
CHORUS

14

Next morning the Governor's word reached my ears
"We've commuted your sentence to ninety-nine years!"
"You won't get parole; not a five minute's truce,
And your friend goes to Sing-Sing, he's so big-a-moose!"
CHORUS
(SLOWLY) Now that I'm old and advanced in me years,
I'll look back on me life, and I'll shed me no tears,
As I sit in me chair with me glass of mateuse,
And play hide the salami with Marvin (Millie) the Moose!
CHORUS
Jingle Bang (A Lusty Young Smith)

Words and Music by : Traditional (Childe Ballad)

A lusty young smith at his vice stood a'filing
His hammer lay by but his forge still aglow
When to him a buxom young damsel came smiling
And asked him to work at her forge he would go
Chorus:
With a jingle bang jingle bang jingle bang jingle
With a jingle bang jingle bang jingle hi-ho
I will said the smith and they went off together
Along to the young damsels forge they did go
They stripped to go to it, twas hot work and hot weather
She kindled a fire, and she soon made him glow
CHORUS
Her husband, she said, no good work could afford her
His strength and his tool were worn out long ago
The smith said well mine are in very good order
And now I am ready my skill for to show

15

CHORUS
Red hot grew his iron as both did desire
But he was too wise not to strike while 'twas so
For she what I get I get out of the fire
So with it strike home and redouble the blow
CHORUS
Six times did his iron through vigorous heating
Grow soft in the forge in a minute or so
And often would harden still beating and beating
But the more it did soften did harden more slow
CHORUS
At last went the smith, 'towards the dame full of sorrow
Oh what I would give could my husband do so
Good lad with your hammer come hither tomorrow
But pray could you use it once more 'ere you go?
CHORUS
A Grazing Mace

Tune of: Amazing Grace
Verses 1-5 by Skald-Brandr Toralfsson
Verse 6 is the original anonymous creation

A grazing mace, how sweet the sound, that felled a foe for me
I bashed his head, he struck the ground, and thus came victory
My mace has taught my foes to fear, that mace my fears relieved
How precious did my mace appear, when I my mace received
Through many tournies, wars, and fairs, I have already come
My mace has brought me safe so far, my mace will bring me home
The King has promised good to me, His word my hope secures

16

I will his Shield and Weapon be, when He gives me my spurs
And when my mace my foeman nails, that mortal strife shall cease
And we'll possess within our pale, a life of joy and peace
A grazing mace, how sweet the sound, that flattened a wretch like thee
Whose head is flat, that once was round done in by my mace... And me
Fiddler's Green

Words and Music by: John Connolly

As I walked by the dockside one evening so fair
To view the salt waters and take the salt air
I heard an old fisherman singing a song
Won't you take me away boys me time is not long
Chorus:
Wrap me up in me oil-skin and jumper
No more on the docks I'll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates, I'm taking a trip mates
And I'll see you some day on Fiddler's Green
Now Fiddler's Green is a place I heard tell
Where the fishermen go if they don't go to hell
Where the skies are all clear and the dolphins do play
And the cold coast of Greenland is far, far away
Chorus
Where the skies are all clear and there's never a gale
And the fish jump on board with a swish of their tails
Where you lie at your leisure - there's no work to do
And the skipper's below making tea for the crew
Chorus
When you get to the docks and the long trip is through
Here's pubs and there's clubs and there's lassies there too
When the girls are all pretty and the beer it is free
And there's bottles of rum growing from every tree

17

Chorus
Now, I don't want a harp nor a halo, not me
Just give me a breeze and a good rolling sea
I'll play me old squeeze-box as we sail along
With the wind in the rigging to sing me a song
Brennan on the Moor

Words and Music by: Irish Traditional
(Note: Willie Brennan was an Irish Robin Hood in the late 1700's in County Cork.)

'Tis of a brave young highwayman this story I will tell
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell
It was on the Kilwood Mountain he commenced his wild career
And many a wealthy nobleman before him shook with fear
Chorus:
It was Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor
One day upon the highway as young Willie he went down
He met the mayor of Cashiell a mile outside of town
The mayor he knew his features and he said, Young man, said he
Your name is Willie Brennan, you must come along with me
Chorus
Now Brennan's wife had gone to town provisions for to buy
And when she saw her Willie she commenced to weep and cry
Said, Hand to me that tenpenny, as soon as Willie spoke
She handed him a blunderbuss from underneath her cloak
Chorus
Now with this loaded blunderbuss - the truth I will unfold -
He made the mayor to tremble and he robbed him of his gold
One hundred pounds was offered for his apprehension there
So he, with horse and saddle to the mountains did repair

18

Chorus
Now Brennan being an outlaw upon the mountains high
With cavalry and infantry to take him they did try
He laughed at them with scorn until at last 'twas said
By a false-hearted woman he was cruelly betrayed
Chorus
The Birthday Dirge

AKA "The Mongolian Birthday Chant" and "The SCA Birthday Song"
Tune of : "Volga Boatmen"

Death and gloom and black despair
People dying everywhere
Chorus:
Happy Birthday! (UHH!) Happy Birthday! (UHH!)
Death, destruction, and despair
People dying everywhere.
Now you are the age you are
Your demise cannot be far
Fear and gloom and darkness but
No one found out YOU KNOW WHAT
May the candles on your cake
Burn like cities in your wake
You're a period cook, it's true
Ask the beetles in the stew
Burn the Castle and storm the keep
Kill the Women but SAVE THE SHEEP!
Now your jail-bait days are done
Let's go out and have some fun!

19

May your deeds with sheep and yaks
Equal those with sword and axe
You must marry very soon
Baby's due the next full moon
Your servants steal, your wife's untrue
Your children plot to murder you
Were I sitting in your shoes
I'd go out and sing the blues
They stole your gold, your sword, your house
They stole your sheep, but not your spouse
Tho' you're turning 29
Age to you is like fine wine
So you're 29 again
Don't tell lies to your good friend
Now you've lived another year
Age to you is like stale beer
So another year has passed
Don't look now they're gaining fast!
So you've aged another year
Now you know that Death is near.
Long ago your hair turned grey
Now it's falling out, they say
Black Death has just struck your town
You yourself feel quite run-down
It's your birthday never fear
You'll be dead this time next year
We brought linen, white as cloud
Now we'll sit and sew your shroud!
See the wrinkles on your face
Like the pattern of fine lace

20

So far death you have bypassed
Don't look back it's gaining fast
Indigestion's what you get
From the enemies that you 'et
I'm a leper, can't you see
Get your birthday kiss from me.
Burn, then rape by firelight
Add -romance- to life tonight.
Pay attention, you must learn
First you pillage, THEN you burn.
Children dying far and near
They say that cancer's caused by beer.
Children dying everywhere
Women crying in despair.
Typhoid, plague and polio
Coffins lined up in a row.
Long ago your hair turned gray
Now it's falling out, they say.
Birthdays come but once a year
Marking time as Death draws near.
May the children in the street
Be your barbecuing meat.
We, your friends will never tell
That your body has gone to hell.
At your age most folks go blind
You've kept your sight, but lost your mind.
While you eat your birthday stew
We will loot the town for you
We love children, yes we do

21

Boiled or baked or in a stew.
When you've reached this age you know
That the mind is first to go.
FINALE:
If there be verses we have missed
You can add them to the list.
I pray you pass your verse along
And thus improve our merry song.
Barret's Privateers

Words and Music : Stan Rogers

Oh the year was 1778,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
When a letter of Marque came from the king,
To the scummiest vessel I've ever seen.
CHORUS:
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 Barret's privateers.
Well, Elcid Barret cried the town,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
For twenty brave men, all fishermen who,
Would make for him the Antelope's crew.
CHORUS
Oh, the Antelope's sloop was a sickening sight,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
She'd list to the port with her sails in rags,
And the cook and the scuppers with the staggers and jags.

22

CHORUS
On the king's birthday, we put to sea,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
We were ninety-one days to Montego Bay,
Pumping like mad men all the way.
CHORUS
On the ninety-sixth day, we sailed again,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight,
With our cracked four-pounders we made to fight.
CHORUS
The Yankee lay low down with gold,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
She was was broad and fat and loose in the stays,
But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days.
CHORUS
At length we stood two cables away,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
Our cracked four-pounders made an awful din,
But with one fat ball, the Yank stove us in.
CHORUS
Oh, the Antelope shook and pitched on her side,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
Barret was smashed like a bowl of eggs,
And the main trunk carried off both me legs.
CHORUS
Now here I lay in my twenty third year,
How I wish I was in Sherbrook now,
It's been six years since we sailed away,
And I just made Halifax yesterday.
CHORUS

23

Song of the Shield-Wall

Words: Lady Malkin Grey
Music: Lady Peregrynne Windrider
Note from "Little" Rory McGowen, CLM, Fyrdman of Calontir:
Huscarls are Saxon Axe-men, guards of the King, and a fighting Order of
Calontir.

Hasten, oh sea-steed, over the swan-road,
Foamy-necked ship o'er the froth of the sea,
Hengest has called us from Gotland and Frisia
To Vortigern's country his army to be
We'll take our pay there in sweeter than silver;
We'll take our plunder in richer than gold,
For Hengest has promised us land for the fighting
Land for the sons of the Saxons to hold!
Hasten, oh fyrdsmen, down to the river
The dragonships come on the in-flowing tide
The linden-wood shield and the old spear of ash-wood
Are needed again by the cold water-side
Draw up the shield-wall, oh shoulder companions
Later whenever our story is told
They'll say that we died guarding what we call dearest,
Land that the sons of the Saxons will hold!
Hasten, oh Huscarls, north to the Dane-Law
Harold Hardrada's come over the sea
His longships he's laden with berserks from Norway
To gain Cnut's crown and our master to be
Bitter he'll find there the bite of our spear points
Hard-running Northmen too strong to die old
We'll grant him six feet, plus as much as he's taller
Of land that the sons of the Saxons will hold!
Make haste, son of Godwin, southward from Stamford
Triumph is sweet and your men have fought hard
But William the Bastard has landed at Pevensey
Burning the land you have promised to guard
Draw up the spears on the hilltop at Hastings
Fight 'til the sun drops and evening grows cold

24

And die with the last of your Saxons around you
Holding the land we were given to hold!
Optional: repeat first verse.
Watkins Ale

This bawdy song comes from Elizabethan England. The lyrics are from Joseph
Lilly's A Collection of Seventy-Nine Black-letter Ballads and Broadsides.

1.
There was a maid this other day,
And she would needs go forth to play;
And as she walked she sithd and said,
I am afraid to die a mayd.
With that, behard a lad,
What talke this maiden had,
Whereof he was full glad,
And did not spare
To say, faire mayd, I pray,
Whether goe you to play?
Good sir, then did she say,
What do you care?
For I will, without faile,
Mayden, giue you Watkins ale;
Watkins ale, good sir, quoth she,
What is that I pray you tel me?
2.
Tis sweeter farre then suger fine,
And pleasanter than muskadine;
And if you please, faire mayd, to stay
A little while, with me to play,
I will giue you the same,
Watkins ale cald by name,—
Or els I were to blame,
In truth, faire mayd.
Good sir, quoth she againe,
Yf you will take the paine,
I will it not refraine,

25

Nor be dismayd.
He took this mayden then aside,
And led her where she was not spyde,
And told her many a prety tale,
And gaue her well of Watkins ale.
3.
Good sir, quoth she, in smiling sort,
What doe you call this prety sport?
Or what is this you do to me?
Tis called Watkins ale, quoth he,
Wherein, faire mayd, you may
Report another day,
When you go forth to play,
How you did speed.
Indeed, good sir, quoth she,
It is a prety glee,
And well it pleaseth me,
No doubt indeed.
Thus they sported and they playd,
This yong man and this prety mayd,
Vnder a banke whereas they lay,
Not long agoe this other day.
4.
When he had done to her his will,
They talkt, but what it shall not skill;
At last, quoth she, sauing your tale,
Giue me some more of Watkins ale,
Or else I will not stay,
For I must needs away,—
My mother bad me play,—
The time is past;
Therfore, good sir, quoth she,
If you haue done with me.
Nay, soft, faire maid, quoth he,
Againe at last
Let vs talke a little while.
With that the mayd began to smile,
And saide, good sir, full well I know,
Your ale, I see, runs very low.
5.
This yong man then, being so blamd,

26

Did blush as one being ashamde;
He tooke her by the midle small,
And gaue her more of Watkins ale;
And saide, faire maid, I pray,
When you goe forth to play,
Remember what I say,
Walke not alone.
Good sir, quoth she againe,
I thanke you for your paine,
For feare of further staine,
I will be gone.
Farewell, mayden, then quoth he;
Adue, good sir, againe quoth she.
Thus they parted at last,
Till thrice three months were gone and past.
6.
This mayden then fell very sicke,
Her maydenhead began to kicke,
Her colour waxed wan and pale
With taking much of Watkins ale.
I wish all maydens coy,
That heare this prety toy,
Wherein most women ioy,
How they doe sport;
For surely Watkins ale,
And if it not be stale,
Will turne them to some bale,
As hath report.
New ale will make their bellies bowne,
As trial by this same is knowne;
This prouerbe hath bin taught in schools,—
It is no iesting with edge tooles.
7.
Thrise scarcely changed hath the moon,
Since first this pretty tricke was done,
Which being harde of one by chance,
He made thereof a country dance;
And, as I heard the tale,
He cald it Watkins ale,
Which neuer will be stale,
I doe beleeue;
This dance is now in prime,

27

And chiefly vsde this time,
And lately put in rime.
Let no man greeue
To heare this merry iesting tale,
That which is called Watkins ale;
It is not long since it was made,—
The finest flower will soonest fade.
8.
Good maydes and wiues, I pardon craue,
And lack not the which you would haue;
To blush it is a womans grace,
And well becometh a maidens face,
For women will refuse
The thing that they would chuse,
Cause men should them excuse
Of thinking ill;
Cat will after kind,
All winkers are not blind,—
Faire maydes, you know my mind,
Say what you will.
When you drinke ale beware the toast,
For therein lay the danger most.
If any heere offended be,
Then blame the author, blame not me.
Hey, Ho, Nobody Home

English Traditional
"Hey, Ho, Nobody Home' probably dates back to the 16th century though its
origins are obscure. We do know that it is from England and was a favorite of
carolers who went from door to door at Christmastime, soliciting food and drink in
exchange for their harmony. Also known as the Peace Song.
Peace Round
Tune is traditional
First Verse (below) Words copyright Jean Ritchie, Geordie Music Publishing, 1964,
1971
Other verses/versions traditional
Notes: There are many verses and variations to the "Peace Round." You can sing
each verse together in unison but mix up the verses, as in the first clip above; or
28

What a goodly thing
If the children of the earth
Could dwell together
In peace.
Hey, ho, nobody's home
Meat nor drink nor money have I none
Still I will be very, very merry
Hey, ho, nobody's home.
Rose, Rose, Rose, Rose
Will I ever see thee red?
I will marry at thy will, sire,
At thy will.
Ah poor bird
Take thy flight
High above the sorrows
Of this sad night
Ding dong, ding dong
Wedding bells on an April morn
Carve my name on a moss covered stone,
On a moss covered stone.
Ding dong, ding dong
Funeral bells on a September morn,
Rose, oh Rose, is dead and gone sire,
Dead and gone.
Shalom chaverim, shalom chaverim,
Shalom, shalom,
L'hitraot, l'hitraot,
Shalom, shalom
Wee Be Souldiers Three

This cute little drinking song features a broken French phrase meaning, roughly,
"Excuse me, but I don't have any money." Pronounce it anyway you like: the
29

Wee be souldiers three,
pardona moy je vous en pree,
lately come forth from the low country
with neuer a penny of mony.
Here good fellow I drinke to thee,
pardona moy je vous en pree:
to all good fellowes where euer they be,
with neuer a penny of mony.
Here good fellow I'll sing you a song,
sing for the brave and sing for the strong
to all those living and those who have gone
with neuer a penny of mony.
And he that will not pledge me this,
pardona moy je vous en pree:
payes for the shot what euer it is,
with neuer a penny of mony.
Ye Jacobites By Name

Traditional
BURNS VERSION:
This version, most commonly performed today, was re-written by Robert Burns
circa 1791.

Ye Jacobites by name, lend an ear, lend an ear!
Ye Jacobites by name, lend an ear,
Ye Jacobites by name,
Your fautes I will proclaim,
Your doctrines I maun blame - you shall hear, you shall hear!
Your doctrines I maun blame - you shall hear!
What is right, and what is wrong, by the law, by the law?
What is right, and what is wrong, by the law?

30

What is right, and what is wrong?
A short sword and a long,
A weak arm and a strong, for to draw, for to draw!
A weak arm and a strong, for to draw!
Chorus...
What makes heroic strife, famed afar, famed afar?
What makes heroic strife famed afar?
What makes heroic strife?
To whet th' assassin's knife,
Or hunt a Parent's life, wi bluidy war, wi bluidy war!
Or hunt a Parent's life, wi bluidy war!
Chorus...
Then let your schemes alone, in the State, in the State!
Then let your schemes alone, in the State!
Then let your schemes alone,
Adore the rising sun,
And leave a man alone, to his fate, to his fate!
And leave a man alone, to his fate!
Chorus...
Ye Jacobites by name, lend an ear, lend an ear!
Ye Jacobites by name, lend an ear...

original version:

You Jacobites by Name, now give Ear, now give Ear,
You Jacobites by Name, now give Ear;
You Jacobites by Name,
Your Praise I will proclaim,
Some says you are to blame for this Wear.
With the Pope you covenant, as they say, as they say,
With the Pope you covenant, as they say,
With the Pope you covenant,
And Letters there you sent,
Which made your Prince present to array.
Your Prince and Duke o'Perth, where they go, where they go,
Your Prince and Duke o'Perth, where they go,
Your Prince and Duke o'Perth,

31

They're Cumb'rers o' the Earth,
Causing great Hunger and Dearth where they go.
He is the King of Reef, I'll declare, I'll declare,
He is the King of Reef, I'll declare,
He is the King of Reef,
Of a Robber and o' Thief,
To rest void of Relief when he's near.
They marched thro' our Land cruelly, cruelly,
They marched thro' our Land cruelly,
They marched thro' our Land
With a bloody thievish Band
To Edinburgh then they wan Treachery.
To Preston then they came, in a Rout, in a Rout,
To Preston then they came, in a Rout;
To Preston then they came,
Brave Gard'ner murd'red then.
A Traitor did command, as we doubt.
To England then they went, as bold, as bold,
To England then they went, as bold;
To England then they went,
And Carlisle they ta'en't,
The Crown they fain would ha'en't, but behold.
To London as they went, on the Way, on the Way,
To London as they went, on the way,
To London as they went,
In a Trap did there present,
No battle they will stent, for to die.
They turned from that Place, and they ran, and they ran,
They turned from that Place, and they ran;
They turned from that Place
As the Fox, when Hounds do chace.
They tremble at the Name, CUMBERLAN'.
To Scotland then they came, when they fly, when they fly,
To Scotland then they came, when they fly,
To Scotland then they came,
And they robb'd on every Hand,
By Jacobites Command, where they ly.

32

When Duke William does command, you must go, you must go;
When Duke William does command, you must go;
When Duke William does command,
Then you must leave the Land,
Your Conscience in your Hand like a Crow.
Tho' Carlisle ye took by the Way, by the Way;
Tho' Carlisle ye took by the Way;
Tho' Carlisle ye took,
Short Space ye did it Brook,
These Rebels got a Rope on a Day.
The Pope and Prelacy, where they came, where they came,
The Pope and Prelacy, where they came;
The Pope and Prelacy,
They rul'd with Cruelty,
They ought to hing on high for the same.
Three Blinde Mice

This is the earliest known version of this still-popular round -- the words are a bit
different, but the tune is essentially the same. You can sing it in either a major or
minor key; the same tune in minor also appears in Ranvescroft, with different
words.

Three Blinde Mice,
three Blinde Mice,
Dame Iulian,
Dame Iulian,
The Miller and his merry old Wife,
shee scrapte her tripe licke thou the knife.
Deo Gracias Anglia (AKA: Agincourt Carol)

Composer: Anon
Date: 14xx
Language: English [Latin]
Themes: War, SR
Parts: ATB
Lyrics: Deo gracias Anglia
Redde pro victoria.
33

Owre kynge went forth to Normandy
With grace and myght of chyvalry;
Ther God for hym wrought mervelusly;
Wherfore Englonde may calle and cry,
"Deo gracias."
He sette a sege, the sothe for to say,
To Harflu toune with ryal aray;
That toune he wan and made a fray
That Fraunce shal rywe tyl domesday;
Deo gracias.
Than went oure kynge with alle his oste
Throwe Fraunce, for alle the Freshe boste;
He spared no drede of lest ne moste
Tyl he come to Agincourt coste;
Deo gracias.
Than, forsoth, that knyght comely,
In Agincourt feld he faught manly;
Throw grace of God most myghty
He had bothe the felde and the victory;
Deo gracias.
There dukys and erlys, lorde and barone
Were take and slayne, and that wel sone,
And summe were ladde into Lundone
With joye and merthe and grete renone;
Deo gracias.
Now gracias God he save oure kynge,
His peple, and alle his wel-wyllynge;
Yef hym gode lyfe and gode endynge,
That we with merth mowe savely synge;
Deo gracias.
Sumer is Icumen In

Date: c1310
Language: English
34

Sing cuccu, nu sing cuccu.
Sumer is icumen in,
Lhude sing cuccu,
Growth sed and bloweth med,
And springth the wode nu.
Sing cuccu.
Awe bleteth after lomb,
Lhouth after calve cu;
Bulloc sterteth, bucke verteth
Murie sing cuccu.
Cuccu, cuccu,
Wel singes thu cucce,
Ne swik thu naver nu.
Perspice Christicola
Que dignatio,
Celicus agricola
Pro vitis vicio
Filio
Non parcens exposuit
Mortis exicio.
Qui captivos semivivos
A supplicio.
Vite donat,
Et secum coronat in celi solio.
Synge We To This Mery Cumpane

Composer: Anon
Source: Selden MS [14xx]
Date: 15th Cent.
Language: English
Theme: Winter
Parts: S g3g4 B a1a2
35

Chorus:
Synge we to this mery cumpane:
Holy Maide, blessyd thou be;
Godys Sone is born of the,
The Fader of Heven, thus lyve we;
Regina Celi, letare.
Thow art Emperesse of Heven fre;
Now art you Moder in mageste
Yknytte in the blessed Trinitie;
Regina Celi, letare.
Hayl, wyf, hayl maide, bryght of ble!
Hayl, doughter, hayl, suster, ful of pite!
Hayl, cosyn to the Persones Thre!
Regina Celi, letare.
Lo, this curteys Kynge of degre
Wole be thy Sone with solempnite;
Mylde Mary, this ys thy fee;
Regina Celi, letare.
Therfore knele we on oure kne;
Thy blysful berthe now worshype we
With this songe of melode:
Regina Celi, letare.
Tobacco Fumes

Composer: Thomas Ravenscroft
Language: English
Theme: Party
Parts: SATB
Lyrics:

Tobacco fumes away all nasty rheumes,
but health away it never lightly frets,

36

And nappy, nappy Ale makes mirth,
makes mirth (as April rain doth Earth)
Spring, like the pleasant spring,
wher' ere it soaking wets.
But in that spring of mirth,
such madness high doth grow,
as fills a fool by birth,
with crotchets, Ale, and Tobacco.
Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!

Composer: Thomas Weelkes [1575 - 1623]
Date: Between 1550 and 1650
Language: English
Parts: S f3g4 A d3d4 T f2g3
Lyrics:

Come, sirrah Jack, ho!
Fill some tobacco.
Bring a wire and some fire!
Haste, haste away, quick I say!
Do not stay! Shun delay!
For I drank none good today.
Fill the pipe once more,
My brains dance Trenchmore.
It is heady, I am giddy.
My head and brains, back and reins,
Joints and veins from all pains
It doth well purge and make clean.
I swear that this tobacco
Tis perfect Trinidado.
By the very very Mass,
Never never never was
Better gear than is here.
By the rood, for the blood,
It is very very good.

37

Then those that do condemn it,
Or such as not commend it,
Never were so wise to learn
Good tobacco to discern;
Let them go pluck a crow,
And not know as I do
The sweet of Trinidado.
Green Grow the Rushes, HO!

The song was first recorded in Hebrew in the 16th century and probably much
older than that; at the present, it is sometimes sung as a Christmas carol. Some
linguists fallaciously claim that the Mexican word 'gringo' is derived from the
words green grow, which were heard throughout Mexico when sung as a marching
song by US soldiers during the Mexican-American War. The song is not to be
confused with Robert Burns' Green Grow The Rashes, O, with which it shares only
the title.

I'll sing you one, Ho (or O)
Green grow the rushes, Ho
What is your one, Ho?
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be (it) so.
...
I'll sing you twelve, Ho
Green grow the rushes, Ho
What are your twelve, Ho?
Twelve for the twelve Apostles,
Eleven for the eleven who went to heaven,
Ten for the ten commandments,
Nine for the nine bright shiners,
Eight for the April Rainers, (or April Showerers, or occasionally Eight
for the eight bold Rangers)
Seven for the seven stars in the sky, (or Seven for the seven who went
to Heaven)
Six for the six proud walkers,
Five for the symbols at your door,

38

Four for the Gospel makers,
Three, three, the rivals,
Two, two, the lily-white boys,
Clothèd all in green, Ho
One is one and all alone (sometimes One is one and one alone or One
is one and stands alone)
And evermore shall be (it) so.
I Am Cow

By the Arrogant Worms

I am cow, hear me moo
I weigh twice as much as you
And I look good on the barbecue
Yogurt, curd, cream cheese and butters
Made from liquid from my udders
I am cow, I am cow, hear me moo (moo)
I am cow, eating grass
Methane gas comes out my ass
And out my muzzle when I belch
Oh, the ozone layer is thinner
From the outcome of my dinner
I am cow, I am cow, Ive got gas
I am cow, here I stand
Far and wide upon this land
And I am living everywhere
From b.c. to newfoundland
You can squeeze my teats by hand
I am cow, I am cow, I am cow
I am cow, I am cow, I am cow!
Pirates Of Saskatchewan

Artist: Captain Tractor
Album: other songs
39

Well I used to be a farmer, and I made a living fine.
I had a little stretch of land along the sea behind.
But times went by although I tried, the money wasn’t there,
and the bankers came and took my land and told me fair is fair.
I looked for every kind of job the answer always no,
Hire you now they always laughed we just let 20 go
The government they promised me a measly a little sum
But I’ve got to much pride to end up just another bum,
Then I thought who gives a damn if all the jobs are gone,
I’m gonna be a pirate, on the river Saskatchewan
CHORUS
And it’s a heave ho hi ho coming down the plains
Stealing wheat’s and barley and all the other grains
And it’s a ho hey hi hey farmers by your doors
When you see the Jolly Rodger on Regina’s mighty shores
Well you think the local farmers would know that I am large
But just the other day I found an unprotected barge
I snuck up right behind them and they were none the wiser
I ram the ship and sank it and stole the fertilizer.
Bridge outside of Moose Jaw spans the mighty river
Farmers cross with so much fear there stomach are a quiver,
Cause they know that Captain Tractor’s hiding in the bay
I’ll jump the bridge and knock them cold and sail’em with there Hayyyyy
Repeat CHORUS
Well mounty Bob he chased me, he was always at my throat.
He followed on the shore lines cause he didn’t own a boat.
But the cutbacks were coming and the mounty lost his job,
So now he’s sailing with me and we call him Salty Bob.
A swinging sword and skull and bones and pleasant company,
I never pay my income tax and screw the GST, Screw it
Sailing down to Saskatoon the terror of the sea,
If you want to reach the Co-op boy you gotta get by me
HAHAR
Repeat Chorus
Well the pirate life’s appealing but you don’t just find it here,

40

I hear in North Alberta there’s a band of buccaneers,
They roam the Athabasca from Smith to Fort McKay,
And your gonna lose your sets and if you have to pass away,
Well winter is a coming and a chill in the breeze,
But pirate days are over once the river starts to freeze,
But I’ll be back in spring time and now I have to go
I hear there’s lots of plundering down in New Mexico,
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Chorus
When you see the Jolly Rodger on Regina’s mighty shores
When you see the Jolly Rodger on Regina’s mighty shores
History Is Made By Stupid People

By the Arrogant Worms

Scott became famous for freezing to death in Antartica.
Columbus made history thinking some island was India.
General Custer's a national hero for not knowing when to run.
All these men are famous, but they're also very dumb.
History is made by stupid people.
Clever people wouldn't even try.
If you wanna place in the history books,
Then do something dumb before you die.
Nobility are famous for no reason.
Marie Antoinette enjoyed her cake.
She cause a Revolution when she would not share.
And her husband lost his head for that mistake.
The Hindenberg was a giant zeppelin.
Her makers made a minor oversight.
Before they filled it up with explosive gas
They should have fixed the no smoking light.

41

Ahhh!
History is made by stupid people.
Clever people wouldn't even try.
If you wanna place in the history books,
Then do something dumb before you die.
Tally-Ho! Tally-Ho!
Our king and country's honor we will save.
Tally-Ho! Tally-Ho!
We're marching into history and the grave.
So, if your son or daughter seem too lazy,
Sitting there watching MAD T.V.
Just remember you should quite grateful
At least they're not out making history.
Ahhh!
History is made by stupid people.
clever people wouldn't even try.
If you wanna place in the history books,
Then do something dumb before you die.
Do something dumb before you die
Do something dumb before you die
Health to the Company

words and music Traditional

Kind friends and companions, come join me in rhyme
Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again
Here's a health to the company and one to my lass
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again
Here's a health to the dear lass that I love so well
Her style and her beauty, sure none can excel
There's a smile upon her countenance as she sits on my knee
Sure there's no one in in this wide world as happy as we

42

Our ship lies at harbor, she's ready to dock
I hope she's safe landed without any shock
If ever we should meet again by land or by sea
I will always remember your kindness to me
The Scotsman

by Mike Cross (Most famously performed by Bryan Bowers on Dr. Demento)

Well, a Scotsman clad in 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
And he stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street
Ring-ding-diddle-liddle-I-de-o, ring-di-diddley-I-o
Oh, he stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street
About that time two young and lovely girls just happened by
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 the kilt...
They crept up on that sleeping Scotsman quiet as could be
Lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see
And there behold for them to view beneath his Scottish skirt
Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth...
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 bonnie star the Scots kilt did lift and show...
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 you've been but I see you won first prize...

NEED TRANSCRIPTION!!! - Doo Wah Ditty/Illa Fuit
(Translated into Latin by Master Efenwealt Wystle & Master Andrixos)
http://camelot-treasures.com/music/efenwealt/Crap/IllaFuit.mp3
43

Celtic Jihad Rap

By Master Efenwealt Wystle
copyright © 1999 by Scott F. Vaughan

Well my name is Angus Ibn Ali
Caliph o' the Tay in ol' Dundee
Amang the heather in my bedouin tent
I'm a camel-ridin', turban wearin' lowland gent
(hame laddie)
Well I was cookin' up a batch of haggis and falafel
And I must admit that it smells pretty awful
Me guid friend Eogan(yo-gan) cam alang
And he said "Hey Angus, what's that sang?"
(Ahhhhyaahhhahhhhhieh-ahhhhh-rum-tum tiddly-iddly-i-do-day)
In me kaftan plaidie that hangs tae the floor
And a scimitar the size of an old claymore
I wave tae the lassies as I walk doon the street
And they say "Hey Angus! Where's your trousers?
(oh shite, wrong song. Let's try that again. We'll just have to
wait for it to come around again on the doumbek)
Well that's my tale, and its not very good
I only wrote it 'cause I knew I could
I'll play beledi and pipe 'till I'm blue
And then I'll play a little bodhran too!
(There is but one god, Bonnie Prince Cherlie, and Robbie Burns is his
prophet!)
I'll See Your Six!

by Ioseph of Locksley
(c) copyright 1993 W.J. Bethancourt III
44

A lovely lady went one night to a revel in the East
With dancing and with singing, with wine and Roasted Beast
When the revel came unto an end, she started out for home
Wrapped well in her woolen cloak, and walking all alone.
CHORUS: The things you will run into, the people that you meet
Walking all alone upon a New York City street!
Now, New York City's not a place for walking in the dark
Not in the streets and alleys and especially not the Park
But off she went most happily, without a single care
Wrapped up in her woolen cloak, all in the midnight air.
A street-tough jumped in front of her, with three friends in the night
And pulled a six-inch switchblade, that glittered in the light
He waved it underneath her nose, and said with fiendish glee:
"Give me all your money, girl, this is a robbery!"
She gazed upon the switchblade, and smiled a happy smile
Said "Boy, you ain't got any brains, and lack a sense of style!
You're standing where I want to walk, please move out of my way!"
The tough said "Girl, I'll cut you, and rob you anyway!"
All wrapped up in her woolen cloak, her garb was quite unseen
Her hands were hidden out of sight, and so was chain-mail's gleam...
She said "Now, go rob someone else, my money stays with me!"
He said, "I'll take your money with my six-inch snickersnee!"
The lady's smile got bigger, the robber took a swing
The chain-mail took the blow; the lady didn't feel a thing!
She pulled a Kirby broadsword, the robber's soul to shrive,
And grinned and said, "I'll see your six, and raise you thirty-five!"
The bandit gazed upon the sword, and then upon his knife
He turned and ran, with his three friends, a-running for his life!
Don't think a lady's easy, don't think she's helpless prey,
Especially if she is a fighter in the SCA!
Now if you don't believe my song, then ask the lady fair
With Cheshire Cat upon her shield, a blazon very rare:
Sir Trude is her name, me lads, if she should pass your way;
The very first of the Lady Knights within the SCA!

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Catalan Vengeance (aka, the 6 Gold Rings song)
Chorus:
My six gold rings were dearly bought.
My comrades blood for the plate I own.
Our front rank spear met the French knights' charge
Of a hundred men I returned alone.
Of a hundred men I returned alone.
We were Spanish troops in Sicilian ships
And the king of the Greeks had sent to hire
Our thousand spears to scour the Turks
From his Eastern realm with sword and fire.
From his Eastern realm with sword and fire.
We drove the Turks to the Iron Gate,
But the faith of a prince keeps not the day.
We were bandits now said the king of the Greeks
So he hanged our captain and stole our pay.
So he hanged our captain and stole our pay.
The crusader kings of the East we told
Of our own hard fight and the Greek king's shame
But the German laugh and the Frankish sneer
Said a rabble of spear was but fair game
Said a rabble of spear was but fair game
From the wine-dark sea we marched on west
'Til we came to the Duke of Athens' land.
His herald said "Wear chains or die."
By Cephissus River we're forced to stand.
By Cephissus River we're forced to stand.
We made our camp on a grassy hill
In the midst of a league of marshy ground
That a light armed man might cross with care
Where an armored horse must soon sink down
Where an armored horse must soon sink down
Our hundred best at the marshes edge,
Six hundred hid in the reeds behind,
While a thousand horse of the Duke's own troop
Rode along the stream to surround our line.

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Rode along the stream to surround our line.
An arrows flight from our waiting spears
The knights formed ranks with a joyous sound.
Now the first wave comes at a walk, now trot
Five hundred ride for the killing ground.
Five hundred ride for the killing ground.
At a hundred yards we see their blades
But the horses' hooves are what you fear,
Five hundred tons of steel and flesh
And you bar their path with an eight-foot spear.
And you bar their path with an eight-foot spear.
At fifty yards their lances dip
We grip our pikes in gauntlet hand,
As a steel-shod thunder drowns our cries
And the ground shakes so we can hardly stand.
And the ground shakes so we can hardly stand.
They smashed our line and trampled all,
Who stood to fight, who turned to flee,
And plunged in over the marsh's edge
In the red soaked mud to the horses' knee
In the red soaked mud to the horses' knee
The knights looked up and saw our troops
Still standing on the further shore.
"Form up!" called the duke in knee-deep mud,
"We'll smash these dogs with one charge more."
"We'll smash these dogs with one charge more."
They sank in mud to the riders' thighs,
"Push on!" the duke of Athens said.
So we hurled out darts and fired our bows,
Five hundred trapped and the rest are fled.
Five hundred trapped and the rest are fled.
"Free pass and ransom,"the duke he cried,
But we know the worth of a French knight's word
So we cut his throat and stripped his arms,
And left his flesh for the dogs and birds.
And left his flesh for the dogs and birds.
I crawled on out to the shaky ground
As the crow dipped low on stiffened wing,
Where a young squire moaned with his face-plate gone,
Cut his right hand off for it's golden ring.

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Cut his right hand off for it's golden ring.
Rich gifts they brought, these Frankish knights,
Who called us bastard Spanish curs.
We had arms and mail and a duke's own helm,
Two bushels brim with silver spurs.
Two bushels brim with silver spurs.
My comrades lie in the white Greek soil,
But they do not rest in the earth alone,
Five hundred knights and a Frankish duke
Share a pool of mud for a marking stone.
Share a pool of mud for a marking stone.
Serious Steel (Bringing the War Home)

Author: Leslie Fish

Oh, the bombs went up, and the crunch came down, in the middle of the
Pennsic War.
It left us stranded in Cooper's field, ten thousand souls and more.
We had nothing with us but what we'd brought: our cars and our
camping gear
And our arms and armor, tools and skills, that we'd worked on all that
year.
Chorus:
So dress your ranks, lift your pikes,
Tight as the teeth of a comb.
Rattling, clanking, down the road,
The War is going home.
So a truce was called, and a council held, and we argued all that night.
Then we all set off in a caravan by the early morning light.
We had tipped our arrows and pikes with steel, and were armored, every
one.
Our swords and bows hung ready to hand, for the time of rattan was
done.
The very first town that we came to, we stopped for fuel and food.
The gas-man said he had none to sell. The cops were worse than rude.
They drew their guns. We drew our bows. They fired. We won the day-
For their back-up radios all were dead...and shortly, so were they.

48

The very next town that we came to, they had no fuel at all.
The mechanics said they could change our cars to run on alcohol.
But a thousand cars would take as long as to grow a crop of grain,
So we made a deal, and moved on out in a horse-drawn wagon-train.
The very third town that we came to, the rulers had gone mad.
The cops tried to enslave us all and steal what-all we had.
Our armor proved half bullet-proof: our weapons worked as well.
The townsfolk afterwards thanked us all for freeing them from hell.
So town by town we worked our way, just to take our people home.
The legends that we left behind, it seems, would rival Rome;
For now the folk come seeking us to take their troubles on,
To be their teachers and champions in a world where law is gone.
How can we not take up the steel to serve our people's need?
How can we leave our land to fall to any bandit's greed?
We have the skill to save our folk from whatever evil thrives, ...and...
Admit the truth - this is the chance we've hoped for all our lives!
So dress your ranks, lift your pikes
Tight as the teeth of a comb.
Rattling, clanking, down the road
Dressed in leather and steel and woad,
All too aware of history's load
The War is going home!-
The War is coming home!

NOTE: Ekk hung out with Leslie Fish back in the early days of the SCA. He was
rolling around the bones of a story along these lines for a while, and told her his
ideas at an event one night. She thought it was cool and they discussed it in
depth. A little while later, this song came out. Coincidence, maybe, but it's a neat
thought...

Shag Foreign Fighters

by The Northern Ravens
To the tune of "Wild Rover".

Chorus:

49

And it’s no, nay, Never, (Except maybe An Tir)
No nay never no more!
Will I shag foreign fighters,
No never, no more!
I’ve traveled the known world,
North, south, east, and west.
I’ve found that the head in the East is the best.
The Mid is too frigid, Trimaris too crass,
And Atlantian knights don’t think this is funny.
Chorus
Though Locac is a long haul, the accents are cute
One day Northshield may learn what sex is aboot
I lost the coin toss, so Aethelmark’s primed
Those asterisk bastards aren’t worth my time.
Chorus
Outlandish sex may seem worth a try,
And I’ll try one Caidian before I die
Ansteorra is not quite as big as it thinks
And Meridies finishes before it blinks.
Chorus
Artemisia is waiting in Atenvelt’s wings,
Calontir does not shag quite as well as it sings
Eldamere is the home of the moose hatching grounds,
There’s them in the West that do it in rounds.
Chorus
The boys of Gleann Ahbann , we’ve heard they get wild,
Drachenvald’s castles make up for their style.
If the Kingdoms all work hard they might pass the test,
I’ll stick with the East realm and shag with the best.
Siuil a ruin

50

I wish I was on yonder hill
Tis there Id sit and cry my fill
Till every tear would turn a mill
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan.
Siuil, siuil, siuil a ruin
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh liom
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Ill sell my rock, Ill sell my reel
Ill even sell my spinning wheel
to buy my love a sword of steel
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Siuil, siuil, siuil a ruin
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh liom
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
I'll dye my petticoats, I'll dye them red
and it's round the World I will beg for bread
until my parents would wish me dead.
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Siuil, siuil, siuil a ruin
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh liom
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
I wish my love would return from France,
his fame and fortune there advanced.
If we meet again, 't will be by chance.
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Siuil, siuil, siuil a ruin
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh liom
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Last Saskatchewan Pirate

51

I used to be a farmer, and I made a living fine,
I had a little stretch of land along the city line
But time went by and though I tried, the money wasn't there
And bankers came and took my land and told me fair is fair
I looked for every kind of job, the answer always no
Hire you now? they'd always laugh, we just let twenty go!
The government, the promised me a measly little sum
But Ive got too much pride to end up just another bum.
Then I thought, who gives a damn if all the jobs are gone?
I'm gonna be a pirate on the river Saskatchewan!!!
(arrr! arrr! arrr! arrr! arrr!!)
Cause its a heave-ho, hi-ho, coming down the plains
stealing wheat and barley and all the other grains
It's a ho-hey, hi-hey farmers bar yer doors
When ya see the jolly roger on Regina's mighty shores
Well, you'd think the local farmers would know that I'm at large
But just the other day I found an unprotected barge
I snuck up right behind them and they were none the wiser,
I rammed their ship and sank it and I stole their fertilizer!
A bridge outside of Moosejaw spans a mighty river
Farmers cross in so much fear their stomachs are a-quiver
Cause they know that Tractor Jack is hiding in the bay
I'll jump the bridge and knock them cold and sail off with their hay!
Cause its a heave-ho, hi-ho, comin down the plains
Stealin wheat and barley and all the other grains
Its a ho-hey, hi-hey farmers bar yer doors
When ya see the jolly roger on Regina's mighty shores
Well, Mountie Bob he chased me, he was always at my throat
He'd follow on the shoreline cause he didn't own a boat
But cutbacks were a-coming and the Mountie lost his job
And now he's sailing with us, and we call him Salty Bob!
A swingin sword, a skull and bones and pleasant company
I never pay my income tax and screw the GST (screw it!!)
Prince Albert down to Saskatoon I'm the terror of the seas
If you wanna reach the co-op, boy, you gotta get by me!
Cause its a heave-ho, hi-ho, comin down the plains
Stealin wheat and barley and all the other grains
Its a ho-hey, hi-hey farmers bar yer doors

52

When ya see the jolly roger on Regina's mighty shores
Arrrr, metis! get it? matey? (hey, thats riel-ly funny! you know, louis riel?
)
Well, pirate life's appealing but you just don't find it here,
I've heard in North Alberta there's a band of buccaneers
They roam the Athabasca and sail to Fort Mckay
And you're gonna loose your stetson if you have to pass their way!
Well, winter is a-comin and a chill is in the breeze
My pirate days are over once the river starts to freeze
Ill be back in springtime but now I have to go
I hear theres lots of plundering down in New Mexico!
Cause its a heave-ho, hi-ho, comin down the plains
Stealin wheat and barley and all the other grains
Its a ho-hey, hi-hey farmers bar yer doors
When ya see the jolly roger on Regina's mighty shores...
History Is Made By Stupid People

by The Arrogant Worms

Scott became famous for freezing to death in Antartica.
Columbus made history thinking some island was India.
General Custer's a national hero for not knowing when to run.
All these men are famous, but they're also very dumb.
History is made by stupid people.
Clever people wouldn't even try.
If you wanna place in the history books,
Then do something dumb before you die.
Nobility are famous for no reason.
Marie Antoinette enjoyed her cake.
She cause a Revolution when she would not share.
And her husband lost his head for that mistake.
The Hindenberg was a giant zeppelin.
Her makers made a minor oversight.
Before they filled it up with explosive gas
They should have fixed the no smoking light.
Ahhh!

53

History is made by stupid people.
Clever people wouldn't even try.
If you wanna place in the history books,
Then do something dumb before you die.
Tally-Ho! Tally-Ho!
Our king and country's honor we will save.
Tally-Ho! Tally-Ho!
We're marching into history and the grave.
So, if your son or daughter seem too lazy,
Sitting there watching MAD T.V.
Just remember you should quite grateful
At least they're not out making history.
Ahhh!
History is made by stupid people.
clever people wouldn't even try.
If you wanna place in the history books,
Then do something dumb before you die.
Do something dumb before you die
Do something dumb before you die

Songs we need lyrics for:
Wild Rover
I was born on the List field
Ballad of Bowie
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