To War
O come ye here the fight to shun ?
Or herd the sheep wi’ me man?
Or were ye at Gefendene
When the arrow came man ?
***
Now all the district hears the call
The fyrd gathers at the hall
From a’ around came the hardy
Wi’ bonnet, belt and swordie
***
To Sigherston we make our way
To find our plan is a’ aglay
The Earl’s host already gone
with one boat left for Osgar’s throng.
***
We Row !
Though dark and swift the waters run, Geats forge on with faces glum
Though Nicor’s heart be strong and hard, as cold as stone and bare as bone.
We row; we row; we row to war!
We hew the beast and sail on alone.
***
Portage !
Osgar chooses the short way – a hard way for the tardy
So we must carry ship – over hill and dale – twice
Push, push, push the Boat, hardy up the hill
Merrily, merrily, merrily boys – the rain is but a dream
***
Where Next ?
At last we make the muster point
Too late for pretty speeches
Not south at all, but easterly
The winds of war blow brearily
***
To War!
Though foreign hall be ringed and barred with doors of stone
Though Eowan heart be strong and hard, as cold as stone and bare as bone
We go; we go; we go to war – to hew the stone and break the door.
***
For bole and bough are burning now, the furnace roars – we go to war !
To land of gloom with tramp of doom, with roll of drum – We come ! We come !
To Eowan with doom we come !
Littleman for Aye !