The Song of Roland

[mn13189@WCUVAX1.WCU.EDU]

Poster: mn13189@WCUVAX1.WCU.EDU

Since no one has posted them yet, here are the complete lyrics for the
Song of Roland, written by the talented Lady Rosalinde Jehanne of Paradox
Keep.  It is performed on the Fair Lady Atlantia tape by THL Bryce de
Byrum.

THE SONG OF ROLAND

The fairest flower of chivalry to bloom in all the land,
And the noblest of all the knights of Charlemagne. . .
Was Roland, Roland, King Charles' sister's son,
Renowned through all the Frankish lands for battles you have won.
In counsel hear ye Ganelon make plea to go to war
To aid the rebel Saracens against their rightful Lord.
Roland, Roland, you call this plan ill made,
But nonetheless does Charlemagne agree to give them aid,
Then Ganelon requests you for the post most perilous
And willingliy do you accept as honour deems you must.
Roland, Roland, the read guard you command,
With Oliver, your loyal friend to ride at your right hand,
But at the vale of Rencevals your doom is now anigh
The Saracens they hold the pass and will not let you by.
Roland, Roland, you know now you're betrayed
But in your heart is courage and your voice is not afraid
"Face we now grim battle, take your sheilds and raise them high,
With honor we have lived our lives, with honor we shall die!"
Roland, Roland, sound your mighty horn,
And try to call the men backk that rolled out just yestermorn
The King has heard your call afar, but Ganelon says "Nay,
Tis only our young Roland out hunting on this day."
Roland, Roland, sound your horn again,
As feirce the battle rages through the valley and the glen
Again the King has heard your call, again the traitor lies,
And none shall come to aid you since your peril he denies.
Roland, Roland, sound your final blast
As one by one your men-at-arms die fighting at the pass,
And at the last is Oliver by swordsmen overthrown
And ye of all the Frankish hosts now stand alone
Roland, Roland, Oh black the day you died
Your comrads slain around you and your sword down by your side
They found you on the hilltop with your face turned towards the foe
And never has there been a day of such great woe.
Roland, Roland, your name will live in song
Wherever brave men take up arms to right a mightly wrong
The fairest flower of chivalry to bloom in all the land
And the noblest of all the knights of Charlemagne!


           "I brought ye to the ring.  Now dance best ye can."
    ------------------------<mn13189@wcu.edu>-------------------------
   Matthew Allen Newsome            |	    Lard Eogan Og Mac Labruinn
   intern consultant/curator	    |       Altantian Royal Bard
   Scottish Tartan Museum           |	    Chronicler, MSoB
   & Heritage Center	    	    |	    (Militant Society of Bards)
   http://intertekweb.com/tartans/  |	    Clan Og, SCA
   <tartans@dnet.net>               |       "IT'S ONLY A GAME!"
    --------------------"Bring Forrit The Tartan"---------------------


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