I wrote a new song, that I hope to debut at Feast of Eagles (if the Shire allows it). The tune is Palestinalied (12th century). Here is an example of the tune and original words.
The Falcon’s Cry
by Ki no Kotori
Calontiri, gather ‘round me
Tuck your tender tears away,
Battle calls, we must be ready
To march in and join the fray
Turn your eyes unto the sky
Listen for the falcon’s cry
Thus we live and thus we die
Fierce Huscarls, sharpen your axes
Gallant Fyrdmen, whet your swords
Knights, prepare your best advances
Courage brings its own rewards
For this green and fertile plain
That we may ne’er see again
Our lives will not be in vain
Riders, rally forth your horses
Archers, nock your arrows clean
Artisans, walk proud beside us
Hasten forward with our Queen
For our proud and gracious land
As one people now we stand
Waiting for our King’s command
Forward now, shoulder to shoulder
Lift your shield and set your spear
Though the enemy grows bolder
Their onslaught shall endeth here
Turn your eyes unto the sky
Listen for the falcon’s cry
Thus we live and thus we die
Just for fun, here’s a modern rendition of the original Palastinalied, by the band In Extremo:
The original “Blessed Be That Maid Marie” performed by Telynor. The song begins at the 1:40 marker.
Dedicated to Lora Ann Ros (Donna Brooks), who passed from us April 21st, 2016
Little kestrel, nestled near,
Come to rest in Calontir.
Outside dangers may abound.
We will keep you safe and sound.
Little kestrel, have no fear,
Nothing ill can harm you here.
Where the wild northwinds howl
Lies the land where gryphons prowl.
Paths to our home can’t be seen
In amongst the maze of green.
Little kestrel, have no fear,
Nothing ill can harm you here.
Eastward, dragons can be found
Rife with strength of great renown,
Past their lair they cannot creep,
The river runs too wide and deep.
Little kestrel, have no fear,
Nothing ill can harm you here.
In the warm southeastern land
Lives the wild and wooly ram.
He may climb the mountains tall,
But you can fly above them all.
Little kestrel, have no fear,
Nothing ill can harm you here.
On the bleak southwestern plain,
Lions wander, hunt and maim.
But they never venture far
From the light of the lonesome star.
Little kestrel, have no fear,
Nothing ill can harm you here.
The mighty stag may often roam
From his westward forest home.
His legs are strong, but even he
Cannot swim the amber sea.
Little kestrel, have no fear,
Nothing ill can harm you here.
Little kestrel, tuck your wing
While huscarl and fyrdmen sing.
Dream sweet dreams of flying free,
And we shall watch over thee.
Little kestrel, have no fear,
Nothing ill can harm you here.
Notes:
1. I heard this tune on Telynor’s excellent Christmas Album Off the Beaten Path, which can be found here and also on Amazon.
2. Since the song was about a kestrel, I wanted to include other animal imagery. The animals here are the heraldic mascots of the kingdoms and principalities surrounding Calontir.
There was originally a verse about Meridies (Horse), but once Glenn Abheann became a kingdom, we lost our border with them, so I have removed it from the song.
3. I tried to follow the logic of an older falcon and how they would see the land, hence the “maze of green” cornfields of Iowa and the “amber sea” wheatfields of Kansas and Nebraska. From the sky, that’s what they would look like.
4. I originally wrote this for Page the Kestrel, one of Lora Ann’s birds, but changed the dedication and wrote the last line when Lora Ann died.
5. Thanks to Lora Ann for making me perform this in public when I first wrote this song. I was very scared, but she was right, I needed to sing this to an audience. 🙂
Foxeholly 