Sword and Blossom Poems I: Sword Songs

by Granville Ransome Bantock, Sir (1868 - 1946)

1. Hearts and Swords  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
The metal of they treasure, Warrior Land
Is forged today as it was forged of old
Hot on the anvil; but his blood goes cold
And his hair crisps who takes it in his hand.

Costlier treasure, too, than swords of steel,
Land of the Rising Sun is ever thine,
Treasure of hearts that glow with the divine
Ardour a patriot alone can feel.

Treading white swords beneath their eager feet
Thy sons press storming onward, while the light
That plays about their whirling blades doth fright
The trembling mountains. These find battle sweet.

These find fierce joy in life's extremity,
Land of the Gods, far rather would they sheathe
Their falchions in their own red hearth than breathe
One hour dishonoured, -- or dishonour Thee.

Text Authorship:

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view

Confirmed with Sword and Blossom Poems. From the Japanese. Done into English Verse by Shotaro Kimura and Charlotte M. A. Peake. Illustrated by Japanese Artists, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, Publisher.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. A Death Reverie  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
'Tis very white, a frosty white and cold,
This Skull that in the winter moonlight gleams!
Success and failure, Hope and fear, and Dreams
Are Nothing when our Tale of Life is Told.

Soon for dear Honour's sake my stainless Sword
Shall give this worthless body up to Death;
Yet when my bosom is bereft of breath
My Red Heart's faithfulness shall guard my Lord.

Text Authorship:

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view

Confirmed with Sword and Blossom Poems. From the Japanese. Done into English Verse by Shotaro Kimura and Charlotte M. A. Peake. Illustrated by Japanese Artists, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, Publisher.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 190