by Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936)
Sir Richard's Song
Language: English
I followed my Duke ere I was a lover, To take from England fief and fee; But now this game is the other way over - But now England hath taken me! I had my horse, my shield and banner, And a boy's heart, so whole and free; But now I sing in another manner - But now England hath taken me! As for my Father in his tower, Asking news of my ship at sea; He will remember his own hour - Tell him England hath taken me! As for my Mother in her bower, That rules my Father so cunningly; She will remember a maiden's power - Tell her England hath taken me! As for my Brother in Rouen city, A nimble and naughty page is he; But he will come to suffer and pity - Tell him England hath taken me! As for my little Sister waiting In the pleasant orchards of Normandie; Tell her youth is the time of mating - Tell her England hath taken me! As for my Comrades in camp and highway, That lift their eyebrows scornfully; Tell them their way is not my way - Tell them England hath taken me! Kings and Princes and Barons famed, Knights and Captains in your degree; Hear me a little before I am blamed - Seeing England hath taken me! Howso great man's strength be reckoned, There are two things he cannot flee; Love is the first, and Death is the second - And Love, in England, hath taken me!
Authorship:
- by Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936), "Sir Richard's Song", appears in Puck of Pook's Hill [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Peter Bellamy (b. 1944), "Sir Richard's Song", published 1971, from Oak, Ash and Thorn, no. 2, London, Robbins Music Corp. [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2016-05-05
Line count: 36
Word count: 255